A Cuban Novel: Heretics—Anti-Semitism, a Painting, a Detective, and Artists As Heretics

8/12/2019

A Cuban Novel: Heretics—Anti-Semitism, a Painting, a Detective, and Artists as Heretics

IDH 2930 sec. 04AB (1 cr.) Room: Hume 119 Class Days: Mondays 7th per. (1:55-2:45) Fall 2019 Prof. William Little

Cover of Novel by Leonardo Padura; Trans. Anna Kushner; Bitter Lemon Press (2017)

Course Objectives 1. Explore the thematic and narrative intricacies of the English translation of Leonardo Padura’s novel, Heretics (first Spanish edition, 2013) 2. Identify the “subversive” textual qualities in a complex contemporary Cuban detective novel; i.e., explore and critique anti-Semitism and heresy in both Judaism and writing in contemporary Cuban literature in a plot that hinges on the theft of a valuable Rembrandt painting

Required text  Leonardo Padura, Heretics, trans. Anna Kushner (Bitter Lemon Press, 2017)

Required films for individual viewing and Week discussion:

 Stealing Rembrandt (2003) Directed by Jannik Johansen. Starring Lars Brygmann. Petty thieves steal a painting from a museum. By accident, they steal the wrong painting: Denmark's only original Rembrandt masterpiece, worth millions.  Máscaras (Netflix ). Filmed in Cuba. From IMDb: The Havana detective Mario Conde investigates a gruesome murder by first visiting the home of a homosexual writer and playwright who has been forced into silence and internal exile in Cuba. Starring Jorge Perugorría.

Overview Issues raised by the novel include: the historical fact of the refusal in 1939 by the Cuban regime to allow the MS Saint Louis carrying 900 to land safety, only to see the ship with them aboard to

8/12/2019 return to death camps in Germany; a priceless Rembrandt portrait of Christ with a young Dutch Jewish model, and the Havana detective Mario Conde who is hired to recover the lost masterpiece for the rightful owners, a Jewish family living in Cuba. Each week’s reading will be keyed on a question guide that will structure the reading and discussions. Students will also view two films: a Danish film about the theft of a Rembrandt masterpiece and one of the four detective films based on Leonardo Padura’s series of detective novels known as The Four Seasons. These films will serve as a point of comparison and contrast at the end of the semester.

Other: Quasi- Cuban-style party; location, time, and date TBA. Given the fact that one of the prominent themes in this novel is related to Judaism, it might be appropriate to consider a kind of pre-Chanukah aspect to our class party, even though Chanukah in 2019 is December 22-30. In any event, we can dilate on this possibility as we get acquainted.

Grading criteria (100%) Preparation for eash week’s class; attendance; and weekly participation = 20% 4 blog entries (posted on Canvas) @ 10% each = 40% Take-home final examination (posted on Canvas) = 20%; Final 3-page essay (posted on Canvas) = 20%

Schedule of Weekly meetings, readings and assignments Readings are to be completed by the indicated day The Power Point for each class will be posted on Canvas following each class

Week 1 (August 26): Course introduction; Cuban historical, social, political, literary context; text passage in Canvas chosen in advance from Week 2 pages (below) for discussion/reaction in Week 2 class Monday, September 2nd: no class for it is the national holiday of Labor Day] Week 2 (September 9): Part I, Chapters 1-3 (pp. 1 – 44); blog 1 due Week 3 (September 16): Part I, Chapter 4 – 6 (pp. 45 – 87) Week 4 (September 23): Part I, Chapters 7 – 9 (pp. 88 – 123) Week 5 (September 30): Part I, Chapters 10-12 (pp. 124 – 189) Week 6 (October 7): Part II, Chapter 1 (pp. 193 - 236); blog #2 due Week 7 (October 14): Part II, Chapter 2 (pp. 237 - 282) Week 8 (October 21): Part II, Chapter 3 (pp. 283 – 334) Week 9 (October 28): Part III, Chapters 1 – 2 (pp. 337 – 363) Week 10 (Noverber 4): Part III, Chapters 3 – 4 (pp. 364 – 396); blog #3 due (Monday, November 11th: no class as it is Veterans Day holiday) Week 11 (November 18): Part III, Chapters 5 – 7 (pp. 397 – 451) Week 12 (November 25): Part III Chapters 8 – 12 (pp. 452 – 500); Discussion of both films; blog #4 due Week13 (December 2): Pt IV, Section titled “Genesis”; Chapter titled “Havana, April 2009” (pp. 503 – 528); Discussion and debate on “puzzling” conclusion; exam and final essay due by midnight of last class day (December 2)

8/12/2019

ATTENDANCE: One unexcused absence is permitted without justification or penalty as long as it does not fall on an exam date. Prior arrangements or a written and verifiable documentation must be presented in order to be excused from a Week. Prior permission where possible should be obtained to miss an exam. For unexcused absences, subtract 1% from the Preparation and Participation grade. The University attendance policy is published in the Undergraduate Catalogue: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.

WEEK CONDUCT Week participation and attendance make up 20% of the grade. Smartphones and other communication devices must be placed on silent mode and may not be consulted during Week. No texting or listening or using electronic devices is permitted. To retain your 20 points, DO: arrive on time; bring textbook to Week; prepare question sheets; respect classmates and professor, participate, take notes, hand in work and blogs on time.

GRADING POLICY. The University Grade–Point Average calculation scale may be found at http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html . In this Week A = 92 – 100; A– = 90 – 91.9; B+ = 88 – 89.9; B = 82 – 87.9; B– = 80 – 81.9; C+ = 78 – 79.9; C = 72 – 77.9; C– = 70 – 71.9 D+ = 68 – 69.9; D = 62 – 67.9; D– = 60 – 61.9 E = 59.9 and below

SPECIAL NEEDS: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Disability Resource Center: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation. Please alert me immediately (in private at my office) in order to arrange accommodation prior to the Thursday July 2.

COUNSELING AND WELLNESS. A variety of counseling, mental health and psychiatric services are available through the UF Counseling and Wellness Center, whose goal is to help students be maximally effective in their academic pursuits by reducing or eliminating emotional, psychological, and interpersonal problems that interfere with academic functioning. The Center can be found online at http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc or reached by phone at 392–1575.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: YOU are responsible for maintaining academic integrity. If you have any doubts about how to study with friends, share notes, quote another author in your paper, etc., consult the Dean of Students Academic Honesty Guidelines: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academic.htm. All violations of the Guidelines, intentional or accidental, are subject to judicial review. Avoid problems; ask me if you have further questions.

CONTACT INFORMATION AND OFFICE HOURS FOR FALL 2016

Dr. William Little Honors Program and Spanish and Portuguese Studies Office Hours: Mondays 1:00-1:45 in Hume lounge and by appointment Email: [email protected] and via Canvas