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Describing a wide range of racial and ethnic denominations, Latinx is a complicated term which this course will examine the trouble. This course emphasizes the historical and aesthetic networks established in the Latinx literary canon that continue into the present, while also exploring the relationship between genre and socio-historical issues. Reading from a diverse tradition that reflects the contested definition of "Latinx" and its shifting demographics in the U.S., this course investigates how U.S. Latinx literature speaks to and expands "American" literary traditions, and how unique ethnic identities such as the Mexican American, Dominican American, Cuban American, or mainland Puerto Rican offer different yet interconnecting representations of what it means to be Latinx in the U.S.
Pre-Req: ENGL 1020 College Writing II.
This class examines the history of Latin America from 1492 until the early nineteenth century. After considering the rise of the Aztec and Inca empires, we will consider how the Spanish and Portuguese were able to acquire and maintain control in the region. Topics include indigenous-European relations, slavery, economic developments, the challenges of maintaining a colonial government, and Latin American independence.
Modern Latin America, a 200-level course, surveys Latin America from independence in the early nineteenth century to the present using primary sources, a textbook, and scholarly works. It begins with an understanding of the political, social, and economic context from which ideas of independence emerged and consideres the wars for independence. We will spend a significant part of the course studying nation-building: how did the leaders of new nations define their nations and the values that would guide them? Who was included and who was excluded in the process of nation-building? The next part of the course examines the demands of groups originally excluded: the indigenous population, women, and the poor. The portion of the course covering the twentieth century emphasizes Latin America's international connections, focusing on influence from the United States and the effectds of world wars on the region. Mass politics also emerge, and are expressed in the Mexican Revolution and in Peronism. We also wiill consider the Cuban Revolution and its wider effects in the region. We will conclude our survey of the region by considering how historical trends continue to affect politics today. For example, the Bolivian political scene continues to be affected by the events and outcome of the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) and by a strong indigenist movement.
The concept of the Atlantic world arose to describe the interactions of the peoples of the Americas, Europe, and Africa through trade, conquest, colonialism, independence and beyond. In this class, we will consider the cultural, economic, and political relationships that are formed and change over time between these groups. We will pay special attention to historical approaches to studying and writing about the Atlantic World.
This course takes a comparative approach to the study of plantation slavery in the Americas with special attention to developments in Virginia and Cuba. It surveys the structure of slavery in the nineteenth century United States South; slavery's legacy in the United States; and its twenty-first century reincarnation in human trafficking and forced labor around the world.
Requisite: Sophomore level or higher.
The Cuban Revolution has been surrounded by controversy since it took power in 1959. Through readings, films, and discussions, we will examine not only the events that have occurred in Cuba over the last four decades but also the ways that they have been presened to audiences in Cuba, the United States, and elsewhere. We will carefully consider the role of perspective in academic writing and the media and how it has shaped understandings of the Castro era.
Students in this course will be introduced to current and longstanding debates within Latin American Philosophy. They will also be exposed to many of the principle texts and thinkers within this burgeoning tradition. The class includes a survey of Latin American philosophy ranging from pre-colonial Aztec thought to the debates over the struggle for Latin American independence, and also the question of identity: what constitutes Latin American philosophy.
The context, background and forces shaping the contemporary politics of the Latin American region.
An introduction to Brazilian cinema and society, focusing on the Cinema Novo (New Cinema) of the 1960s and 1970s as well as more contemporary films influenced by the ideals of this movement. Films will be analyzed via reference to historical and theoretical texts. Topics to be addressed include Brazilian history as reflected in film and the formation of a distinct Brazilian aesthetic sensibility. Taught in English.
This course is designed as an introduction to film studies and to Brazilian, Portuguese and Lusophone African cinema and cultures. Taught in English. College Writing 1 (ENGL01010) and College Writing 2 (ENGL.1020).
Pre-Req: ENGL.1020 College Writing II.
This course is an introduction to Brazilian culture and society. Attention is given to history, geography, cinema, literature, art, and issues of race, gender, and social inequality as they lead toward a fuller understanding of Brazil. This course will cover major aspects of Brazilian society. The main texts review significant events and forces that have helped shape Brazil today. A variety of films and videos will be used. Course will be taught in English.
Pre-Req: ENGL 1020 College Writing II, or permission of instructor.
This course surveys selected Brazilian works of fiction and nonfiction from the different literary periods, including Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, and Postmodernism. The texts are studied in their historical, cultural, social, and aesthetic contexts. Themes include colonialism and empire, race, gender, and dictatorship. Conducted in English.
A continuation of 54.104, Intensive Spanish 1 and 2, this is a six credit blended (hybrid) course-taught partly in the classroom and partly online--intensive one-semester accelerated version of the third and fourth Spanish courses. Being a blended course, the online time will be dedicated to grammar review, and to the completion of various assignments and assessments. Class time will focus on communicative activities that combine grammatical concepts, relevant vocabulary, and cultural themes. An intensive course that aims to develop an intermediate mid proficiency in Spanish and familiarity with Hispanic culture through practice in the use of the grammatical structures and acquisition of vocabulary stressing language skills. The purpose of instruction is to utilize previous language background to lay a solid foundation for further Spanish language study (advanced level). Satisfactory completion of this course fulfils the prerequisite for Spanish 300-400 level courses.
Pre-Req: WLSP 1040 Spanish 1&2 Intensive, or WLSP 1020 Spanish 2 and Culture.
Enhances the four skills acquired in Spanish 2 and Culture (or equivalent), which is a pre-requisite: speaking, listening, reading and writing through the discovery of the culture of Spanish speaking countries in a communicative approach (instruction occurs in Spanish with minimal use of English). This class is the 3rd of the 4-course Spanish language program offered at UML. Language courses are sequential and must be taken accordingly.
This course has Spanish 3 and Culture (or equivalent) as a pre-requisite and is the 4th and last of the 4-course Spanish language program offered at UML. The course strengthens the four skill acquired in prior levels. It emphasizes increased accuracy and depth of students' abilities and knowledge of the culture of Spanish speaking countries in a communicative approach (instruction occurs in Spanish with almost no use of English). Students express themselves orally and in writing at the national standards level of high-intermediate and understand key-concepts when spoken clearly at native speed.
Pre-req: WLSP.2110 Spanish 3 and Culture, or WLSP.2210 Reading and Conversing in Spanish I.
A study of the major writers of Latin America from Native American literature to the modernist period. The authors and their works are placed in their historical, sociological, and literary perspective, thus introducing students to the Latin American World. Conducted in Spanish.
Pre-Req: WLSP 2110 Spanish 3 and Culture, or WLSP 2120 Spanish 4 and Culture.
A continuation of WLSP 53.3020, Survey of Latin American Literature and Culture I. Conducted in Spanish
Pre-req: WLSP.2120 Spanish 4 and Culture, or WLSP.2040 Intensive Spanish 3 & 4.
An in-depth study of a specific topic in literature, culture, civilization or cinema from Latin American countries. Class discussions, reading, oral and written work all in Spanish. May be repeated once for credit, if content changes, and with written consent of the Instructor.
This faculty-supervised off-campus course provides students with practical experience in the workforce while serving the Spanish-speaking community. Through individual assignments sponsored by local service agencies, students have opportunities to use Spanish and apply intercultural competence in professional contexts. The course enables students to develop their language skills and cultural awareness by engaging with the Hispanic community. Students complete written and oral assignments in Spanish, applying the language skills and cross-cultural understanding nurtured through their service experiences. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
Considers significant intellectual, artistic, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of Latin America from the beginning of its history. Through audiovisual aids and selected readings, the student will explore the Latin American way of being and expressing.
Examines Latin American theatrical works as forms of socially accepted resistance and politically charged art forms. The course will consider plays and performances that challenge governments, inequities, and the status quo. In this course, students will study a variety of Latin American plays, as well as performances an political acts that explore these issues.
Pre-Req: WLSP.2120 Spanish 4 and Culture.
An exploration of representative Spanish and latin American films from a variety of major directors. Areas of investigation include the cinematic representation of nationality, ethnicity, identity, gender, history and politics. This course will be taught in English. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable but not required. Spanish majors and minors will complete written assignments, reviews, quizzes, and exams in Spanish.
Pre-req: WLSP 1020 Spanish 2 and Culture, or WLSP 2040 Intensive Spanish 3 and 4.
This course will provide an introduction to the work of Jorge Luis Borges. Borges is a fundamental author in the context of both Latin American and World Literature whose influence makes him uniquely important for those who wish to develop their understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. Participants in the course will learn about the social, political, and cultural context specific to 20th -century Argentina as well the development of the author's own literary strategies and ideas.
A study of the development of the Latin American novel. Three major works of Latin American short story writers such as Borges, Cortazar, Marquez, Rulfo.
Individual research projects in Spanish literature. Students, through regular and frequent consultation with their instructor, develop a course of directed study in Spanish literature and define a problem for individual research. The student's findings are presented in a paper of significant proportions. Permission of Instructor.
Individual research projects in Latin American topics. Students, through regular and frequent consultation with their instructor, develop a course of directed study in a specific Latin American topic and define a problem for individual research. The student's findings are presented in a paper of significant proportions. Permission of Instructor. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."
A program of directed study which affords advanced students an additional opportunity to pursue a previously explored problem in greater depth or to initiate an additional problem. The purpose is to sharpen and refine techniques for scholarly research and presentation and for creative expression.
A program of on-campus and/or off-campus experiences for Spanish or Modern Language majors only. Specific requirements vary depending upon faculty policies and the nature of the program undertaken by the student. The intent of the practicum experience is to provide an occasion for investigation of a community, social, cultural, or artistic area and for applying techniques of problem solving and/or skills which are appropriate to the student's major discipline. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Students are graded satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. The practicum experience may not be substituted for a required course in the major. "Variable credit course, student chooses appropriate amount of credits when registering."