No previous knowledge of Latin American literature or training in literary studies are required.

The main objective of the course is to offer an approach to Latin American history, culture, and politics of the last century through its literature. It is intended that by the end of the course the students will be able to: 1. Understand and assimilate basic knowledge about literary language and history of Latin American literature. 2. Identify and describe the main literary movements and the most important cultural debates of the 20th century in Latin America. 3. Improve their analytical and interpretive capacity so that they can apply the concepts acquired to any literary text. 4. Define a well-argued personal opinion about the different literary and political events studied in class.

The course is designed as a journey through the main literary events in Latin America from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Through reading and class discussion, we will reflect on the complexity of the subcontinent's literatures and cultures, acquiring a panoramic view of both these manifestations and the episodes that marked its history and politics. The program will be organized into six thematic units: 1. Remnants of colonialism: nature, extractivism and madness. Texts by Leopoldo Lugones and Horacio Quiroga. 2. Buenos Aires, metropolis and modernity. Texts by Alfonsina Storni and Juan Carlos Onetti. 3. Mexico and the aftermath of the revolution. Texts by Juan Rulfo and Carlos Fuentes. 4. Mexico and the aftermath of the Revolution: the new Mexican narrative. 5. The Río de la Plata and the reinvention of the fantastic. Texts by Jorge Luis Borges and Silvina Ocampo. 5. The Caribbean according to magical realism. Texts by Gabriel García Márquez and Rosario Ferré. 6. After the shock: fictions of the post-dictatorship. Texts by Roberto Bolaño and Mariana Enriquez.

The critical debate and discussion of the selected literary texts will be the axis of the course. Students must read the texts corresponding to each session in advance so that they can actively participate in class. Class attendance is mandatory. In addition to class participation, students must comply with the different activities proposed throughout the course (comments, reading quizzes, presentations). Towards the end of the semester they must present to the class the topic of their final project or essay. Likewise, willingness and interest in the requested tasks will be valued, as well as attendance (optional) at exhibitions or cultural shows proposed by the professor. There will be a system of tutorials to resolve specific doubts about the contents and activities of the subject, or to design a personalized reading program for those students who wish to delve into any of the authors or topics covered. Tutorials are optional.