Spanish: LatAm: Colonialism&Resistance

An introductory literature course; students read and analyze Latin American texts from the period before the conquest to the 1898 Spanish American War. Prerequisite: SPAN 3610.

Prereq: SPAN 3610 PACE students by permission and override.

In this course, students will broaden their critical capacity to examine social, cultural and political issues that confront Latin America and the Global South today, by exploring the historic roots of many of the problems that still impact the region. Central to the analysis is the legacy of colonialism, or coloniality, which is inherent to the modern order, because modernity was initially an ideological journey shaped by encounter and constructions of difference that were responsible for catastrophic transformations of the American continent. Panoramic in nature, we will analyze literature and artistic expressions produced during a period extending from pre-Hispanic times to the nineteenth century, and consider oral and written testimonials, visual art, and cultural performances. We will focus on perspectives from the Global South –as a space that is both metaphorical and geopolitical– which raise questions of (in)justice and social (in)equity, Through this framework we will explore how the colonial discourse shaped construction of racial, gender and class. In addition to indigenous pre-Columbian texts, such as the Popol Vuh and poet Aztec poet Netzahuacoyotl, readings include the early-contact narratives of Cristóbal Colón’s, colonial works like Guaman Poma de Ayala, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and the slave testimonial by Francisco Manzano, among others. Catamount Core: AH2, D2.

Come to class prepared to discuss and debate the day's topic in Spanish. Being prepared means having carefully read or watched the assigned materials, in order to generate questions and participate in daily discussions.

The final grade will consider daily discussions or participation, online responses to readings, two exams, a short essay, and a longer research essay. Additionally, throughout the semester, each student will be responsible for a short presentation that will help contextualize class readings