SPAN 20 Introduction to Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies through Literature

Units: 5
Advisories: Ability to understand spoken and written Spanish.
This course examines Chicanx and Latinx culture, as related to its history and experience in U.S. society, through analysis of the historical development and current trends in Chicana/o and Latina/o literature. The course introduces Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies as an academic discipline through engaging in literary analysis of a representative overview of Chicana/o and Latina/o literary production. Coursework includes a survey of folk, traditional, and contemporary Chicana/o and Latina/o literature with critical analysis of representative works in a selection of the literary genres: the essay, short stories, the novel, poetry, music, cinema, drama, and new media. Texts focus on the construction of identity, representation, self-determination, and the role of multilingualism (Caló/Pachuco, Chicana/o and Latina/o English, indigenous languages (Nahuatl, Purépecha/Tarascan), and Spanish) and symbolism in Chicana/o and Latina/o social justice movements in the United States in order to increase understanding of the cultural values, intersectionality, and lifestyles of Chicana/o and Latina/o communities. The course introduces students to such inspirational writers as Rudolfo Anaya, Tomas Rivera, Sandra Cisneros, Ana Castillo, Ron Arias, Jose Antonio Burciaga, Luis Valdez, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, Jose Montoya, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Alurista, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Ruben Dario, Gabriela Mistral, Eduardo Mallea, Ernesto Sabato, Horacio Quiroga, José Martí, Jorge Luis Borges, Nicolas Guillén, Mariano Azuela, Juan Rulfo, Gabriel Garcia-Marques, Julio Cortázar, Carlos Fuentes, and Mario Vargas Llosa. Assignments apply the principles and techniques of literary analysis and develop oratory skills and the ability to find, study, and develop one’s voice in service of the community, as well as enhance aural comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension skills. Prior coursework in Spanish is not required. Discussions will be primarily in Spanish with some code-switching in English, readings will be primarily in Spanish or bilingual (English and Spanish), and the course requires Spanish majors to do assignments in Spanish. (HBCU, UC, CSU)