Latin American Literature Office: L630; 718-260-5018 LATS 2202/, Section Office Hours

New York City College of Technology Instructor’s Name: Humanities Department Contact Email: Course Title: Latin American Literature Office: L630; 718-260-5018 LATS 2202/, Section Office Hours:

SAMPLE SYLLABUS

3CL/3 CreditHours. CoursePrerequisite/ Co-requisite: ENG1101 or ENG1101CO or ENG1101ML. Flexible Core: World Cultures and Global Issues.

REQUIRED MATERIAL Literatures of Latin America Author: Willis Barnstone

• Paperback: 475 pages • Publisher: Longman (July 25, 2002) • Language: English • ISBN-10: 0130613606 • ISBN-13: 978-0130613608 • Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.4 x 8.9 inches

COURSE DESCRIPTION The purpose of this course is to examine the development of Latin American literature and related visual documentation from the Pre-Columbian period to the present. We will read the course materials in terms of their historical and political context and examine literary forms, genres, and techniques. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about Latin American culture, expressed through literature, documentaries, and the visual arts. You will have the opportunity to appreciate works by prominent Latin American authors and exercise your own analytical and creative abilities. The course will be taught in English, but the instructor will reference the original texts in Spanish. Class activities are complemented by required online assignments.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• To sensitize students to the Latin American culture employing its literature, history, and artistic expressions. • To sensitize students to a cultural expression that might be different from their own. • To develop students' awareness of the cultural connections between Latin American and the United States. • To develop aesthetic sensitivity to literary/rhetorical structures. • To stimulate and develop students' critical thinking through class and group discussions and reflective writing. • To develop close reading and writing skills.

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the literary texts using class and group discussions and through written assignments. • Students will learn to recognize different social, artistic, and literary movements that influenced Latin American writers through exposure to literary texts, paintings, and movies, that illustrate different artistic and historical periods, • Students will demonstrate acquisition of critical reading skills utilizing writing prompts and responding to class assignments.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is the conviction of the Humanities department that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time includes not just absences but also latenesses, early departures, and time outside the classroom taken by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AT CITY TECH (PLAGIARISM)

“Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.” (See pp. 73-76 in the student handbook). The following are some examples of plagiarism:

• Copying another person’s actual words without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source. • Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source. • Using information that is not common knowledge without acknowledging the source. • Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments. • Internet Plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, and “cutting and pasting” from various sources without proper attribution. • Speech assignments must be paraphrased into your own language and properly cited. All major writing speeches and exams will be run through Safe Assign.

NOTE: In the event that the instructor finds that the results of students’ homework, scripts, and other at home activities do not correspond to their level of proficiency, students may be called to take an extra exam to prove their capacity to solve tasks similar to those normally assigned in class.

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary 2 conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, you can leave a voicemail at 718 260 5143, send an email to [email protected] or visit the Center’s website t http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/ for more information.

HUMANITIES DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Humanities Department complies with the college-wide nondiscrimination policy. It seeks to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity in its many forms and enhances our students' ability to be informed, global citizens. Through our example, we demonstrate an appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures and the unique forms of expression that make us human. CIVILITY IN THE CLASSROOM NYCCT is committed to the highest academic and ethical integrity standards, acknowledging that respect for self and others is the foundation of educational excellence. Civility in the classroom and respect for the opinions of others is critical in an academic environment. It is likely you may not agree with everything that is said or discussed, yet courteous behavior and responses are expected. Therefore, any harassment and discrimination act based on matters of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and ability are not acceptable in this classroom. Whether we are students, faculty, or staff, we have a right to be in a safe environment, free of disturbance, and civil in all aspects of human relations.

GRADING SYSTEM

Class Participation (individual and group assignments) 10% Composition 10% Journal entries, in-class prompts, and on Bb. discussion 20% Oral presentation 10% Quizzes 15% Midterm 15% Comprehensive final exam 20%

REQUIREMENTS: 1. Attendance and Class Participation (10%) Class attendance and active participation are mandatory. Students are expected to arrive on time, attend the entire class period and be prepared to discuss assignments and present homework on readings. This grade is based on: a. Your thoughtful contributions to class discussions by making comments, asking and answering questions, and joining in the class dialogue. How well and how often you participate are equally important. b. The quality of daily homework and the reaction papers on assigned readings. Reading assignments and answering the indicated question in writing is crucial for improving your English skills. There will be readings due for every class, so you need to keep current with them. Reading does not mean skimming. You must give the assignments sufficient attention to be able to discuss or write about them intelligently. Absences, late arrivals, unpreparedness, or failure to participate in the class will affect your grade adversely. Since participation is a significant portion of your grade, any unexcused absences will affect your participation grade. CityTech defines excused absences as: "illness, accident, religious observance, or representing the university at athletic or other off-campus events."

Please see the class calendar before making any travel plans. Travel or work plans are not valid excuses for missing class, assignments, and exams. To maintain an appropriate environment for your active oral participation, electronic devices must be turned off and kept out of sight at all times. Violations of behavior policies will result in an absence for the class period (i.e., cell phones, texting, laptops, PDA, iPods, CD and DVD players, headphones, etc.) 2. In-class prompts These consist of brief written reflections based on the literary text, movie, or painting we have studied in class. They will take from 8 to 10 minutes. In-class prompts are unannounced. Students need to be in class to write their prompts. There are not MAKE-UPS for missed class prompts. 3. Group written assignments: These consist of group discussions and analysis of the literary text taught in class. The instructor will provide a set of questions to guide the exercises. Written assignments will be graded as group work. Each group should select a leader to organize the discussion. These assignments are intended to promote understanding of the texts and critical thinking and debate within the groups. Also, these assignments will prepare the students for the exams. 4. Composition (10%) There will be one creative piece assigned during the semester. Please turn it in on time (no make-ups). Writing is a process that improves with time, practice, and revision. Therefore, all work that is handed in on time may be revised once for an improved grade. 5. Oral presentation (10%) Students will be assigned a 20-minute presentation on a topic related to the required readings. Presentations should include background information on the texts' historical or cultural contexts. They should relate this information to the lessons. You must not read your presentation, as this makes your presentation tedious and difficult to understand. You need to make an appointment with the professor at least two weeks in advance to discuss in detail your presentation. The presentation should have an essay's elements, with a central idea or thesis that you wish to illustrate. These 'essays' should be critical and interpretative (no "summaries" and "NO BIOGRAPHIES" please!!!). Additional sources and audiovisual aids should be used. Your oral presentation must be accompanied by a one-page outline showing your talk's organization and listing any important dates, places, names, and the bibliography. Please make enough copies to distribute to the class. The instructor will grade grammar, spelling, and punctuation, along with organization, clarity, and pronunciation. 6. Midterm and Final Exams: There will be a cumulative midterm exam (15%) and a comprehensive final examination in this course (20%). These evaluate the socio-cultural and historical background related to the literary texts, reading comprehension, and text fragments analysis. Important Considerations and Expectations about this Course Class Language and Materials:

• The course's language is English, but the professor will use Spanish to refer to the original titles and literary works. • The professor will make all efforts to provide bilingual (English/Spanish) access to the texts on Blackboard (Bb) • Students are allowed to write in the language of their preference. • Students are required to bring their texts, photocopies, or electronic copies to every single class. Extra material will be available on Bb.

Communications:

• Students are required to check their City Tech emails and Blackboard daily to get updated information about course content and assignments. Failure to do so is each student's responsibility, and the consequences may affect his/her final grade. Excuses such as "I did not read my email" or "I didn't enter in Bb." will not be accepted.

• According to CUNY guidelines, all communication between students and the instructor must be through your CityTech email address.

• Any email addressed to the instructor will include: (a) the student's last and first name, in this order, and the class identification LATS 2202 (b) make sure you are using the instructor's CityTech address.

• The instructor will make all efforts to answer the students' emails promptly. Students can expect to receive their emails answered during weekdays from Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm. After this time or during the weekend, students should not expect to have their emails answered the very same day.

• If students miss a class or arrive late, etc. it is her/his responsibility to get the assignment information from a classmate. Students are advised to have a classmate buddy and exchange email addresses to determine what they have missed. Please be advised that the textbook does not provide all the material for the course.

Class Cancellation Policy If the class has to be canceled in case of an emergency, the professor will announce it via Blackboard and City Tech email. Class Grades and Syllabus

• By law, the instructor cannot discuss grades with the students during class time, immediately before or after classes, or by phone or email. Students can only discuss their grades with the instructor during his office hours. • It is the student's responsibility to read the syllabus and understand its content. In the same manner, to read the City Tech Handbook. Failure to read and understand these documents does not excuse the student from adhering to these policies. • If you need any help, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor and use the school's services.

COURSE CALENDAR (This calendar may be modified)

Class Date Literary Period Class Theme Class 01. Introductions and explanation of course's expectations. García Márquez’s Nobel speech address.

Class 02. Pre-encounter: Pre- Incas: The Huarochiri Manuscript (prose narration) Columbian Literatures (Peru) (1608). Zithuwa Hymns (Peru) (1575?)

Class 03. Mayas: Chilam Balam Book of Chumayel (religious narration) (Mexico) (1780). Ritual of the Bacabs (shaman cure) (Mesoamerica) (1650) Class 04. Quiché-Maya Language: Popol Vuh (religious narration) (Guatemala, Mexico) (1558 Aztecs: Nezahualcoyotl (1402-1472) Macuilxochitzin (1435- ?) Class 05. Encounter (15th-16th Christopher Columbus (1451?-1506). Diario de viaje centuries): Literature p.37-39. // Columbus’ diary of the Encounter and Conquest Class 06. Hernan Cortez 1485 – December 2, 1547 Cartas de relación Class 07. "Aguirre: The Wrath of God" (1972/1977) movie by Werner Herzog Quiz # 1 Class 08. Bernal Diaz del Castillo: True History of the Conquest of New Spain (chronicle), (Spain/Mexico) (1496- 1560) Class 09. Fray Bartolomé de las Casas (España) (1484-1566). Chapter 1. Breve historia de la destrucción de Indias// Brief account of the destruction of the Indies (1552) Class10. The Conquest as Seen Anonymous text (16th century, Mexico, Aztec by the Conquered Nahuatl) Excerpt from "And All Was Destroyed" (see Bb) The Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (history) (Peru/Spain) (1539-1616 The Royal Commentaries of Perú. Guamán Poma de Ayala )1526-1614? El Primer Nueva Crónica y Buen Gobierno

Class 11. Baroque (17 century) Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (México) (1651-1695). Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Respuesta a Sor Filotea Class 12. Students watch online "Yo la peor de todas// I the worst of all" (1990) by director Maria Luisa Bemberg Class 13. Midterm Exam Class 14. Neoclassicism Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) Carta de Jamaica Jose Joaquin de Olmedo (1780-1847) Canto de Junín Andrés Bello “El castellano en América// The Castilian language in America”pp.124-128 or Bb Class 15. Romanticism José María Heredia (1803-1839) Niágara, pp.137-141 or Bb José Martí (1853-1895). Nuestra América pp.174-175 or Bb. Class 16. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (Argentina) (1811- 1888): Facundo Class 17. "Costumbrismo" Ricardo Palma (February 7, 1833 – October 6, 1919): Tradiciones peruanas Class 18. Modernism Ricardo Güiraldes (novel) (Argentina) (1886-1927) “Don Segundo Sombra” Quiz # 3 Class 19. From the Post- Cesar Vallejo (poems) (Peru) (1892-1938) Modernism to “Boom” Alfonsina Storni (poems) (Argentina) (1892-1938) Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) Walking around. Puedo escribir los versos más tristes… (see Bb) Class 20. Miguel Angel Asturias (story) (Guatemala) (1899- 1974) Jorge Luis Borges (parables, stories, poems) (Argentina) (1899-1986) Class 21. Alejo Carpentier (stories) (Cuba) (1904-1980 João Guimaráes Rosa (story) (Brazil) (1908-1967) Class 22. Juan Carlos Onetti (story) (Uruguay) (1909-1994) Octavio Paz (poems) (Mexico) (1914-1998) Class 23. From the "Boom" to Jorge Amado (novel) (Brazil) (1912-2001). the "Post-Boom" Juan Rulfo (story) (Mexico) (1918-1986) Class 24. Julio Cortázar (stories) (Argentina) (1914-1984) Class 25. Carlos Fuentes (story) (Mexico) (1928-) Class 26. Gabriel García Márquez (novel, stories) (Colombia) (1928-2014). Class 27. From the "Post-Boom" Isabel Allende (1942-) La casa de los espíritus/ The to the present house of the spirits (1982) (fragment) (see Bb) Students will watch the movie online

Class 28. Laura Esquivel (novel) (Mexico) (1950-).

Class 29. Review

Class 30. FINAL EXAM

ASSESSMENT METHODS PATHWAYS LEARNING OUTCOMES: WORLD CULTURES AND GLOBAL STUDIES

A. Flexible Core course must meet the three learning outcomes in the right column.

Reading assignment (selection of literary genre: poetry, fiction, • Gather, interpret, and assess information from a variety of sources theater, essay and points of view. Class discussion of reading assignment. Examination of the literary, historical context of the selected material. Critical examination of literary material (philosophical, political, • Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically. esthetic background of the text). Introduction to the analysis of a literary text (concepts and procedures associated with genre, style, etc.). Quizzes / tests (comprehension / application of procedures of • Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to literary analysis). support conclusions. Reports of reading assignments

A course in this area (II.A) must meet at least three of the additional learning outcomes in the right column. A student will:

Research paper (selection of topic where a technical, critical • Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a examination of literature is to apply). discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring world cultures or global issues, including, but not limited to, anthropology, communications, cultural studies, economics, ethnic studies, foreign languages (building upon previous language acquisition), geography, history, political science, sociology, and world literature. Examination, through selected material, of Latin American • Analyze culture, globalization, or global cultural diversity, and literature in a historical / cultural context. describe an event or process from more than one point of view. Class discussion of selected reading. • Analyze the historical development of one or more non-U.S. societies. Examination and discussion of the Latin American colonial and • Analyze the significance of one or more major movements that have post-colonial experience through its literature. shaped the world's societies. Class activities: presentation, through selected material (print, • Analyze and discuss the role that race, ethnicity, class, gender, film, etc), of topics of social, artistic relevance intended to language, sexual orientation, belief, or other forms of social motivate / promote class discussion). differentiation play in world cultures or societies. Tests

• Speak, read, and write a language other than English, and use that language to respond to cultures other than one's own.

Updated NOVEMBER 2020 Rigofredo Granados Revised MARCH 2021 David Sanchez Jimenez