SPAN 134: Latin American Short Stories. Professor: Euisuk Kim Office: Mariposa 2033 Email: euisuk.kim@csus.edu Phone: (916)278-6652 Office Hours: M-Th 2-3:30 and by appointment Course Description This is a theoretical/practical course aimed at developing critical and evaluative reading of Latin American literature among students through rigorous analysis of short stories and novels in relation with the culture of their country and its relevance in the international setting. The thematic structure of this course is composed of the study of regional literature and the Latin American boom and post-boom literature. Creative competency will also be sought through writing exercises related to the theme of the course. Textbooks Skármeta, Antonio. Los días del arcoíris. Planeta: Barcelona, 2011 Other texts will be provided through course den. Course requirements: 1. 2 exams. 2. Presentation 3. Short essays (3): first essay 2 pages + second essay 3 pages + third essay 4 pages. Each student will turn in three essays (2, 3, and 4 pages) on topics of their choosing. Toward the end of the semester students will also be expected to turn in a one-page explanation of the topic they have chosen for their final paper, along with brief (three to five sentences) summaries of at least five secondary sources (books or articles) that they have already consulted as they have begun to explore their topic. At least three of these sources should be ones not read in class. These sources need to be cited in your final paper. All essays are to be written in Spanish, double-spaced, in Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. The 4 page essay should include at least four critical sources. Papers should represent your own individual dialogue with these secondary sources; that is, you should be forming your own argument/ thesis about a particular work or works and using secondary sources as a basis on which to build as you contribute to the ongoing scholarly dialogue. Papers should not merely be summaries of what others have said. A good place to begin looking for secondary sources on particular authors or works is the MLA International Bibliography, available through the library website. Students are expected to adhere to the honor code at all times in the writing of the papers: all sources should be cited using MLA style. The basics of the style can be found at the following website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/.
Course Policies Regular attendance is expected. More than four absences will result in a grade of F. Participation is also expected. Papers are expected to be submitted in class on the day they are due. Late papers will be marked down ten points for each day they are late. No exceptions. Start early so that last-minute unforeseen circumstances will not interfere with papers being turned in on or ahead of schedule. Academic dishonesty statement: Academic integrity is expected in all work for this course. Any student found to have received outside help on papers or tests, committed plagiarism, or violated the codes of academic honesty in any other way will receive an automatic F in the course. You may consult your professor for assistance on papers no one else. If you are uncertain about standards for citing, please cover your bases and consult with me about your doubts before turning in the final draft of any paper. Grading Percentages: Essay 1, 2, 3: 15 % + 15% + 20 % each Exam 1: 15 % Exam 2: 15% Presentation: 10% Participation: 10% *Papers will be graded using the following scale: Content and originality: 50% Organization: 30% Linguistic elements (grammar, vocabulary, spelling): 20% Monday, January 25 Introducción al curso HORARIO Wednesday, January 27 Introducción a la narrativa Monday, February 1: Tema del mes: Violencia directa e indirecta en la sociedad latinoamericana Juan Ramón Riberyo: Los gallinazos sin plumas Wednesday, February 3
Pablo Palacio: Un hombre muerto a puntapiés Monday, February 8 Augusto Monterroso: Míster Taylor / Wednesday, February 10 Jorge Luis Borges: Emma Zunz / Monday, February 15 Roberto Bolaño: Sensini / Wednesday, February 17 Roberto Bolaño: El Ojo Silva / Monday, February 22 Roberto Bolaño: Putas Asesinas / Entrega del ensayo 1 Wednesday, February 24: Tema del mes: Escritoras latinoamericanas Andrea Maturana: Yo a las mujeres me las imaginaba bonitas/ Interiores / Monday, February 29 Carmen Naranjo: Para qué matar a la condesa? / Wednesday, March 2 Carmen Naranjo: Ondina / Monday, March 7 Rosario Ferré: La muñeca menor /
Wednesday, March 9 Exam 1 Monday, March 14 Rosario Ferré: El cuento envenenado / Wednesday, March 16 Mayra Santos Febres: Los nevados picachos de Aibonito / Monday, March 21: Spring Break Wednesday, March 23: Spring Break Monday, March 28: Tema del mes: México pasado y presente Rosario Castellanos: Lección de cocina / Wednesday, March 30 Rosario Castellanos: La muerte de tigre / Monday, April 4 Entrega del ensayo 2 Juan Villoro: La alcoba dormida / Wednesday, April 6 Juan Villoro: La casa pierde 1 (p. 169-180) Monday, April 11 Juan Villoro: La casa pierde 2 (p. 181-190) / Wednesday, April 13
Repaso Monday, April 18 Examen 2 Wednesday, April 20 Tema del mes: Introducción a la historia contemporánea de Chile (Augusto Pinochet y Salvador Allende) Monday, April 25 Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris I (p. 9-50) Wednesday, April 27 Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris II (p. 51-106) Monday, May 2 Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris III (p. 107-157) Wednesday, May 4 Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris IV (p. 159-191) Monday, May 9 Antonio Skármeta: Los días del arcoíris V (p. 193-234) Wednesday, May 11 Repaso Entrega del ensayo 3 (4 páginas sin contar la bibliografía): hasta el 18 de mayo a las 5 de la tarde. No se aceptará ninguna entrega del ensayo tarde ni por correo electrónico.