Latin American Studies

This course provides an exploration of contemporary urban social movements. It examines this topic through concepts such as human rights, re-democratization, structural inequalities in Brazil, and collective mobilization. The course also explores the theory related to social movements, including conflict, collective identity, social actor, repertoires, national and transnational networks, and recognition theory.

This course is divided into two parts. Part one examines Spanish narrative prose of the 19th and 20th centuries, taking as thematic reference the city of Barcelona and its writers. Part two explores Latin American culture through representative artistic works (music, writing, painting, and film) and their socio-cultural and artistic framework.

This course focuses on three thought leaders of anti-colonialist social movements in 20th century Latin American: Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon, and Fausto Reinaga. It analyzes their main written works with an emphasis on themes of race, culture, and colonial condition.

This course provides a study of the role of emotions within modern and contemporary Latin American narrative and novels. Topics include: characterization of the emotions of love, hate, fear, hope, happiness, sadness, and disgust; the role emotions play in novels and how it affects the body; the social, ideological, and esthetic dimensions of emotions. Texts include: Juan Rodolfo Wilcok, LOS AMANTES; Nona Fernández, CHILEAN ELECTRIC; Ana Peluffo, EL CLAVE EMOCIONAL. CULTURA Y AFECTO EN AMÉRICA LATINA; Mariana Enriquez, EL CHICO SUCIO.

Cuba, the "Pearl of the Antilles" had long been the heartpiece of imperial aspirations. One of the last Spanish colonies after the revolutions in South and Central America, it played a defining role in Spanish imperial identity. Meanwhile in the US, intellectuals had argued all throughout the 19th century that the island was a natural extension to the Nation, and should be conquered as a logical conclusion to the Monroe Doctrine. When after the war of 1898 the island came into American hands, Spain fell into a deep crisis of identity. The United States though took its first steps into the arena of colonial world politics, in turn becoming an empire. All the while, the Cuban’s desire for independence became a mere footnote in the aftermath. The colonial and imperial struggles had another dimension to them: Gender. A common propaganda theme in the US depicted the Spaniards as raping Cuba. While Theodore Roosevelt and his "Rough Riders" came to define the ideal American masculinity after the war, Spaniards questioned if they were still manly enough to belong to the club of civilized European nations. This seminar will follow three objectives: First, understanding the importance of Cuba to Spain and the United States before the war of 1898, as well as the events leading up to the war. Second, comparing the ascent of the American Empire with the decline of the Spanish Empire. Third, introducing the analytical category of gender as a tool to understanding geopolitical conflicts in the age of colonialism.

This course provides a study of pre-Hispanic Mayan literature and culture as it interacts and changes with the beginning of colonization. Topics include: from izapa to post-classic; cosmogeny, structure of the univers, pantheon, and calendars; social structure-- nobility, commoners, and slaves; political organization-- lordships and states; economic organization-- tribute and trade. Authors and texts covered include: Fray Diego de Landa; Mercedes de la Garza; Chilam balam de Chumayel; Rabinal Achi; Popol Vuh. 

This course provides a study of pre-Hispanic Nahuatl literature and culture as it interacts and changes with the beginning of colonization. Topics include: characterization of Nahuatl literary genres, alphabetization of oral traditions, Spanish conquistador influence and basic comprehension of the Nahuatl language of Central Mexico. Texts covered include: Miguel León-Portilla, EL DESTINO DE LA PALABRA; Patrick K. Johansson, LA PALABRA, LA IMAGEN Y EL MANUSCRITO; Rafael Tena, MITOS E HISTORIAL DE LOS ANTIGUOS NAHUAS; Elizabeth Hill Boone, CICLOS DE TIEMPO Y SIGNIFICADO EN LOS LIBROS MEXICANOS DEL DESTINO.