Course details

Name: ENLT - 502

Title: SEMINAR: LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE

Section: 01

Semester: Spring - 2021

Credits: 3

Description:
Modality: SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE

This seminar is a survey of Latin American Literature (focusing primarily on the last century).

Allow me here to offer a tentative list of texts. We will begin with the great Brazilian novelist Machado de Assis, who wrote most of his fiction in the late 19th Century. We'll discuss his most famous novel, DOM CASMURRO, a love story that still inspires debate today. We will explore the fiction of Jorge Luis Borges, best known for his short stories; his fantastic and philosophical speculations and his self-reflexive narratives have influenced writers across the globe. We will read ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of the most famous examples of "magical realism." We will read KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN by Manuel Puig, which addresses the "dirty war" of Argentina and retells stories based on filmic texts in order to address themes of sexuality, violence and the brutality of the state. We most likely will return to Brazilian literature with the innovative work
of Clarice Lispector, whose novels explore existentialist questions within a middle-class feminist perspective. Other novelists on the list might include Roberto Bolano and Rita Indiana. Poets might include Pablo Neruda, Carlos Drummond and Adélia Prado.

Students can expect to write two formal papers, along with short responses to our readings throughout the semester. Regular class participation by students is absolutely essential!

Schedule: Tuesday From 5:30 pm To 8:00 pm

Graduation requirements:

  • Post-1900 (1d)
  • International Issues (3a)
  • Graduate (BA/MA)

Teaching Faculty: Lorenz Johnny (lorenzj)

Is course canceled: No