Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
CRN - SPAN 13847
Introduction to Hispanic Literature – Spring 2013
Tues./Thurs. 11:00-12:15 AM – 216 Wilson Hall
Instructor
Name: Dr. Anne Marie McGee
Phone: 870-972-3502/ 870-972-3887 Dept. Office
Office Hours:12:30-1:30 Tues./Thurs., and by appointment.
Office: 124A Wilson Hall
E-mail: amcgee@astate.edu
Skype: anne.mcgee.95
Required texts: Virgillo, et al., eds. Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica, 7th
ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.
Additional materials indicated by the instructor.
Course Description
SPAN 3413. Introduction to Hispanic Literature An introduction to poetry, drama, novel, and
short story with emphasis on analytical reading. Prerequisite, SPAN 2023 or SPAN 2036 or
consent of instructor. Fall, Spring
This course will help you develop tools needed for more advanced study of Hispanic literatures
through the reading and analysis of selected literary texts from Spain and Spanish America. One
of the key aspects that you will take away from the course is an appreciation of different genres
as well as a reflection on the concept of genre itself. In this section of the course, the following
three genres will be covered: narrative fiction (short story and novel), poetry, and theater. The
course will also highlight the importance of socio-historical context to literary works by
presenting texts from different historical periods. In the analyses of the selected texts, the course
will introduce you to basic narratological, poetic, dramaturgical, and rhetorical terms used in the
study of literature.
Supported Program Goals:
 Reading Proficiency: Read and understand main themes and techniques of literary texts.
 Writing Proficiency: Write on topics related to the analysis of social and cultural issues,
including those in literature and film in multiple-paragraph format.
Course Learning Outcomes – At the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate
the following skills:
 Reading Proficiency: Read and understand the main themes and techniques of literary
texts of a variety of genres, including drama, poetry, and narrative.
 Writing Proficiency: Write on topics related to the analysis of social and cultural issues,
including those in literature and film in multiple-paragraph form.
Components of Course Grade
Exams (3x15% each)
Midterm Essay
45%
10%
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
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Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
Reaction/discussion papers (3x5%) 15%
Class participation/preparation
10%
Enrichment Activities
5%
Final Essay
15%
Grading Scale
90-100 = A Outstanding achievement
80-89 = B Very good
70-79 = C Satisfactory (average)
60-69 = D
< 60 = F
Poor
Failure
Description of Course Components
Preparation and participation (10%): This is a discussion-oriented class and thorough
preparation and active participation in class work (class discussion, pair/group work, and any
additional activities assigned by the instructor) are crucial. All readings must be prepared for the
date indicated in the schedule. For every new reading, you need to read the introductory sections
(“Vida y obra” and “El autor y su contexto”) and prepare the Cuestionario. Only consistently
active preparation and substantive contribution to class discussions (one that propels class
discussions forward) will earn full points on participation. Every few weeks students will submit
a self-evaluation of his/her participation in the course. This will form a part of the overall
participation grade. More detailed information will be made available on BlackboardLearn.
Reaction/Discussion papers (15%): Over the course of the semester, students will write 3 brief
(1-2 pages) reaction papers related to the course readings of a particular day. The topic of these
short compositions is open, but students should reflect on some aspect of the reading that
interests them, and come prepared to discuss their paper in small groups. These papers will often
serve as a source of class discussions.
Exams (45%): The course will have an exam at the end of each unit. The exam format will be
selected from identifications (of terms, historical and biographical information, textual details,
citations, etc.), short answer questions, and essay questions. Should you miss one of these exams,
you must contact me ASAP and present, within 48 hours, written, verifiable proof of an urgent
reason (such as illness—a doctor’s note indicating an office visit on the day of the exam or an
earlier visit with an indication of need to miss school on the date of the exam—or family
emergency). Any make-up must be taken within 2 days of the in-class exam.
Essays (25%): There will be two formal essays in this course. Specific topics for each essay will
be posted on Blackboard Learn at least one week in advance. The first essay will be worth 10%
of the final grade; the second essay will be worth 15 % of the final grade. Both papers must be
typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-pt. font, in Spanish. Electronic submissions will
not be accepted. Both papers will be graded on:
a) the quality of presented ideas: relevant, specific, and original thesis that that goes
beyond class discussion and requires argumentation, discussion contains no truisms,
general/obvious statements, personal opinions, irrelevant or unsupported claims;
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
Learn about your career options as a bilingual professional:
Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad
Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
b) the presentation of ideas: relevant and informative title, the main point and its
significance (the “so what?”) are stated upfront; clear topic sentences stating main ideas
along with their relevance and importance; general command of academic style-transitions between paragraphs and sentences;
c) stylistic issues and advanced expression in Spanish: adequate word choice, grammar,
syntax, mechanics, etc.
All work must be original. Students may not receive any help in any form (human or electronic)
on these papers.
For both papers, late work will not be accepted without a written, verifiable proof of an urgent
reason for missing the due date.
Enrichment Activities (5%): This grade is based on academic engagement in Department
sponsored or approved co-curricular activities: Minimum requirement is completion of 10
units of academic engagement activities per semester. Accepted activities include participation
in the tutoring program, conversation tables, Spanish language film showings, multicultural fairs
and any other related and preapproved activities. Students must document their participation
with paragraph length commentary in Spanish on the content and focus of the activity.
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is required for successful completion of the course. Students should attend
every lecture, recitation and laboratory session of every course in which they are enrolled.
Students who miss a class session should expect to make up missed work or receive a failing
grade on missed work. Please know that your grade may also be negatively impacted by an
absence as you will not be able to make up any quizzes that you may have missed and may also
not contribute to class when you are not there; hence your class activity grade would be an F for
the day you missed. It is the practice of Arkansas State University to allow students to participate
in university-sponsored events, even when those events cause them to be absent from class.
Students participating in university-sponsored events will be given reasonable opportunities to
make up missed assignments and exams.
Students enrolled in full semester freshman or sophomore level courses numbered 1000 or 2000
may during the spring and fall semester miss no more than twice the number of lectures,
recitations, laboratory sessions, or other regularly scheduled class activities that would normally
be scheduled during a week. Students in half session courses (7 week sessions) may not miss
more than the number of meetings per week per session. Students who miss more than the
maximum number of freshman or sophomore level classes may be assigned a grade of “F” for
the course. Students who may be assigned a grade of “F” in a course because of excessive
absences may withdraw from the course without penalty before the deadline for dropping an
individual course. In determining whether excessive absences should result in a failing grade,
consideration shall be given to the maturity and class standing of the student, the quality of
academic work being accomplished by the student, and extenuating circumstances related to
such absence.
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
Learn about your career options as a bilingual professional:
Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad
Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
If you are absent from class, you are responsible for making arrangements to have work
turned in on the due date and for informing yourself regarding the information covered in
class during your absence. To be well prepared for the next class meeting, you will need to
make up for the work missed independently. Tutors are available to assist you in your
learning progress, but it is your responsibility to assure that you do not fall behind in your
work.
All work is accepted only on or before the due dates specified in the syllabus. A regularly
scheduled test may be made up only in the cases of documented illness or an authorized
university activity. No other make-up work will be assigned or accepted. We expect you to
arrive to class on time. It is up to the discretion of the instructor to count tardiness as an absence;
hence be certain to avoid tardiness and know that tardiness will affect you ability to obtain good
grades in this course. We also appreciate if you arrive to class with proper dress as in the target
culture you are studying attention to such details is very important.
Inclement Weather Policy (as per Student Handbook)
The university remains open for academic classes and all other services during inclement
weather except in extreme circumstances determined solely by the Chancellor of the University.
Regional and local news media will publicize the closing. Commuter students are encouraged to
use good judgment in deciding whether to drive to campus during inclement weather. In those
cases where the decision is made not to travel to campus under this policy, it is the responsibility
of the student to immediately contact each of his/her professors upon return to explain the
circumstances and to determine the need to complete any missed assignments. The student is
responsible for all missed assignments during inclement weather within a time frame to be
determined by the professor.
Disabilities Policy
If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to succeed in this course, please contact me
as soon as possible. Your privacy will be respected and every effort will be made to meet your
needs. All students requesting accommodations for disabilities should be registered through
ASU’s Disability Services (870 972 3964). If Disabilities Services determines you should be
able to take tests in their office, it is your responsibility to schedule the test for the same time and
date as the exam is administered to other students.
Academic Misconduct (as per Student Handbook)
Arkansas State University enthusiastically promotes academic integrity and professional ethics
among all members of the ASU academic community. Violations of this policy are considered as
serious misconduct and may result in severe penalties.
A. Plagiarism
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
Learn about your career options as a bilingual professional:
Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad
Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
Plagiarism is the act of taking and/or using the ideas, work, and/or writings of another person as
one's own.
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To avoid plagiarism give written credit and acknowledgment to the source of thoughts,
ideas, and/or words, whether you have used direct quotation, paraphrasing, or just a
reference to a general idea.
If you directly quote works written by someone else, enclose the quotation with quotation
marks and provide an appropriate citation (e.g., footnote, endnote, bibliographical
reference).
Research, as well as the complete written paper, must be the work of the person seeking
academic credit for the course. (Papers, book reports, projects, and/or other class
assignments)
Discipline: Faculty members may respond to cases of plagiarism in any of the following ways:
1. Return the paper or other item for rewriting; the grade may be lowered.
2. Give a failing grade on the paper or other item-"F" if a letter grade is used or zero if a
numerical grade is used.
3. Give the student who plagiarized a failing grade in the course.
4. Recommend sanctions, including disciplinary expulsion from the university.
B. Cheating
Cheating is an act of dishonesty with the intention of obtaining and/or using information in a
fraudulent manner.
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Observing and/or copying from another student's test paper, reports, computer files
and/or other class assignments.
Giving or receiving assistance during an examination period. (This includes providing
specific answers to subsequent examinees and/or dispensing or receiving information that
would allow the student to have an unfair advantage in the examination over students
who did not possess such information.)
Using class notes, outlines, and other unauthorized information during an examination.
Using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting, in part or in whole the
contents of an examination or other assignment not authorized by the professor of the
class.
Using for credit in one class a term paper, book report, project, or class assignment
written for credit in another class without the knowledge and permission of the professor
of the class.
Exchanging places with another person for the purpose of taking an examination or
completing other assignments.
Discipline: Faculty members may respond to cases of cheating in any of the following ways:
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
Learn about your career options as a bilingual professional:
Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad
Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
Allow the testing to progress without interruption, informing the offending student about
the offense-and award a failing grade on the test-"F" if a letter grade is used or zero if a
numerical grade is used.
2. Seize the test of the offending student and give a failing grade on the paper.
3. Give the offending student a failing grade in the course.
4. Recommend sanctions, including disciplinary expulsion from the university.
1.
Cell-phones and Other Communication Devices
Cell-phones and other communication devices must be turned off and out of sight for the
duration of class and exams. These devices may not be utilized at any point during class
sessions.
Important Dates
Regular Classes Begin – January 14
Last Day to Drop/Withdraw Without Financial Assessment – January 20
Last Day to Drop Session I Courses – September 25
Last Day to Add Session II Courses – February 19
Session II Classes Begin – March 4
Spring Break – March 18-23
Last Day to Drop a Course or Withdraw from the University – April 24
Last Day of Classes – April 29
Study Day – April 30
Final Examinations – May 1-7
Class Schedule
Jan.
15 Introducción al curso y a la narrativa, la narrativa pp. 10-19; El cuento: guía
general, p. 41.
17 Don Juan Manuel, “Lo que sucedió…”(pp. 42-46)
22 Ricardo Palma, “La camisa de Margarita.” (pp. 46-50)
24 Emilia Pardo Bazán “Las medias rojas” (pp. 50-53)
29 Jorge Luis Borges, “El etnógrafo.” (pp. 59-61)
31 Julio Cortázar, “La noche boca arriba.” (pp. 61-68)
Feb.
5 Juan Rulfo, “No oyes ladrar los perros” (pp. 68-72); La generación del 98, p.
33; La novela: guía para el lector, p. 41., introducción de Miguel de
Unamuno, San Manuel Bueno, mártir, p. 110.
7 Miguel de Unamuno, San Manuel Bueno, mártir 110-119, Cuestionario 1-8.
12 San Manuel Bueno, mártir 119-127, Cuestionario 9-14.
Visit World Languages and Cultures online: http://languages.astate.edu
Learn about your career options as a bilingual professional:
Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad
Department of World Languages and Cultures
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Arkansas State University, Wilson Hall 220
P.O. Box 2400, State University, AR 72467, Phone: (870) 972-3887
E-Mail: languages@astate.edu
Visit us on facebook: World Languages and Cultures @ ASU-Jonesboro
14 San Manuel Bueno, mártir 127-134, Cuestionario 15-27.
19 Termina SMBM, Repaso para el examen.
21 Examen I—La narrativa.
26 La poesía, pp. 138-157. Poesía: guía general p. 173.
El romance, “El Enamorado y la Muerte” y “Romance del conde Arnaldos”
28 Garcilaso de la Vega, “Soneto XXIII” y “Soneto XI” Entregar el primer
ensayo (narrativa)
Marzo
5 Luis de Góngora, “Soneto CLXVI”; San Juan de la Cruz, “Noche oscura”
7 Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, “A su retrato” y “A una rosa”
12 Lope de Vega, “Rimas sacras: XVIII,” Francisco de Quevedo,
“Representáse…”
14 José Martí, “Si ves un monte de espumas” y “Dos patrias”
SPRING BREAK 18-23 de Marzo
26 Rubén Darío, “Canción de otoño en primavera”; Vicente Huidobro, “Arte
poética”
28 Alfonsina Storni, “Hombre pequeñito” y otros de Delmira Agustini (on
blackboard learn)
Abril
2 Nicolás Guillén, “Sensemayá,” y otros (bblearn) y Repaso para el examen.
4 Examen II – La poesía.
9 El teatro, pp. 252-265; El drama: guía general, pp. 290-291. Federico García
Lorca, Introducción a La casa de Bernarda Alba. Leer la nota sobre García
Lorca y el drama de la Generación del 27 en p. 279
11 La casa de Bernarda Alba
16 La casa de Bernarda Alba
18 La casa de Bernarda Alba
27 Repaso para examen III
29 Examen III – El drama.
Trabajo final – May 2, 12:30-2:30
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Career Outlook – Scholarships – Study Abroad