This course is intended for any student with previous knowledge of Spanish, with specific interest in reading and literature. No previous knowledge of Latin American literature required.

Based on reading and analysis of selected texts, this course aims to give to the student an insight into the 20th century Latin American history, culture and reality through the study of its complex literature. It provides an opportunity to study the different literary trends, aesthetic conceptions and expressive techniques that make up this rich and varied literary panorama, both in narrative and poetic expression. Through reading and class discussion, students will reflect on the complexity of the literatures and cultures of Latin America, and gain an overview both of these expressions as the events that shaped the history and politics of the subcontinent. Students will be able to: 1. Identify and describe mayor literary tendencies and main cultural debates in 20th century Latin America. 2. Analyze and criticize literary texts. 3. Define and support a personal approach to literary and political events seen in class. 4. Discuss the link between literature and other domains of culture (e.g., politics, economy, debates on race and gender, etc.).

Contents are organized according to different cross-cutting topics that will vary by semester: the history of literary movements, the ideological construction of space, the relationship between literature and politics, the role of women in culture, the building of Latin American identity, gender issues, realism and the different approaches to reality, the relationship between Latin America and other regions of the world, the fantastic in Latin American literature, etc. In the case of the topic defined by the relationship between literature and politics, the contents will be as follows: "Literature and Politics" Readings of this topic seek, first, to make the student think about the ways in which politics enters into Latin American literature: as a subject for fiction, as discursive material, as organizer for the intellectual position of the writer, as mediation with reality, etc. At the same time, the topic intend to analyze the intervention of literature and writers in formal and informal politics throughout the twentieth century. 1. Latin America's Place in the Commodity Chain: The struggle for land. Texts by Horacio Quiroga. 2. Race, culture and economy in the Caribbean. Texts by Nicolás Guillen. 3. Mexico: The aftermath of the Revolution. Texts by Juan Rulfo. 4. Peronism I: The staging. Texts by Juan Carlos Onetti and Jorge Luis Borges. 5. Peronism II: The position of the intellectual. Texts by Julio Cortázar. 6. Dictatorships in the Southern Cone: The right wing reacts. Texts by Néstor Perlongher and Roberto Bolaño. 7. Borderlands: Politics, migration and gender at the border. Texts by Gloria Anzaldua. 8. Latin America in the XXI Century: The long night of neoliberalism. Texts by Diamle Eltit. * Contents, authors and the selection of texts can be modified depending on the topic. Mandatory readings will be included in a dossier published by the professor and available in the university copy center.

The course will be focus on textual analysis and discussion of selected literary works. Students must read the texts for each session in advance in order to participate actively in class. Class attendance is mandatory. Cursos de Estudios Hispánicos penalty for unexcused absences: 1st unexcused absence: 3% of the final grade will be deducted 2nd unexcused absence: 5% of the final grade will be deducted 3rd unexcused absence: Suspense of the subject In addition to classroom participation, students must submit a response paper for each unit. These tasks should have an approximate extension of one or two pages each (3,000-3,500 characters). Also, towards the end of the semester, students must explain in front of the class the subject of their final essay. There will be office hours intended to address specific questions about the content or activities of the subject. Students who were unable to attend at scheduled time, can make an appointment with the professor. Tutorials are optional.