SDSU Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Fall 2015
Span 402-1: Spanish American Prose and Poetics
Section 1: MWF 11:00am-11:50am Storm Hall 320
Section 2: MWF 12:00pm-12:50pm Storm Hall 320
Instructor: Dr. Lauren Applegate
Office: AL 127
Email: lapplegate@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-594-4240
Skype username: applegatel
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 1-1:50
or by appointment/Skype
Course Description:
This course will focus on works by important authors of the 20th century in Spanish America. We
will be discussing the idea of literature and its part in the creation of national identity, the creation
of myth, and the function literature has in relation to history. We will explore the approaches to
social and philosophical questions that the works present, including the topics of identity, gender,
history, and fantasy/fiction versus reality.
Prerequisites: Spanish 301 and 302, or Spanish 381 or 382, and 395; and completion of the General
Education requirement in Foundations of Learning II.C., Humanities required for nonmajors.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Verbally summarize in class discussion the main themes of the text read for class.
2. Complete written homework, exams, and a final research paper that describe issues integral
to the text and cite the text in order to enunciate and contextualize phenomena present in
these issues.
3. Summarize arguments and construct analyses about the concepts presented by canonical
Hispanic authors.
4. Verbally argue during class discussion from multiple perspectives about issues that arise in
the texts that have personal and global relevance.
5. Articulate both verbally and in written forms (exams and homework) the ways these works
fit into a larger part of a historical-social context in Latin American literature.
6. Listen to other students during class discussion well enough to demonstrate the ability to
approach complex problems and ask complex questions drawing upon knowledge of the
humanities by:
a. Verbally summarizing other speakers’ viewpoints
b. Seeking clarification from the original speaker
c. Incorporating clarifications in a revised verbal summary
d. Presenting a query or comment that develops the discussion
Required Readings/materials (can be purchased at SDSU Bookstore):
García Márquez, Gabriel. Cien años de soledad. Madrid: Cátedra, 2001. ISBN: 84-376-0494-X
Garro, Elena. Los recuerdos del porvenir. México: Joaquín Mortiz, 2014. ISBN: 6070705203
Additional readings on Blackboard or given in class.
Course Key access code and program (pending availability)
Grade Breakdown:
Homework: 10%
2 Midterm Exams: 40%
Participation: 5%
Final Paper: 35%
Presentation: 10%
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Grading Scale
94 – 100
A
90 – 93
A87 – 89
B+
84 – 86
B
80 – 83
77 – 79
74 – 76
70 – 73
BC+
C
C-
67 – 69
64 – 66
60 – 63
0 – 59
D+
D
DF
Assignments and exams:
There will be periodic homework assignments given out in class requiring you to answer
questions (about a paragraph per question). You may also be required to pose questions yourself
(to post on Blackboard). There will be two midterm exams in a short-essay answer format,
covering the material from each section of the semester they encompass. You will write a final
research paper that will allow you the freedom to develop an analysis on a topic of your choosing
within certain parameters. You must use MLA format for this paper. If you are in doubt as to
how to cite correctly consult here (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/). There
may be quizzes, announced or unannounced, in class.
Participation:
Participation is a mandatory part of your grade and learning. Arriving late to class or being
absent from class will lower your participation grade. The course may make use of the Course
Key application (pending availability). Participation includes completing all of the reading
before the class for which it is due and volunteering comments or questions that add to the
conversation. The class will be in a seminar style, with the atmosphere of an intellectual
discussion that goes into in-depth analysis of each text. You should prepare yourself before
coming to class, bring the text for the day to class, and be willing to read from it if asked to do so
or in order to support a point you are making (always go to the text!).
Classroom Etiquette:
I expect students to follow rules of common courtesy such as arriving on time to class,
waiting until the end of the class period to pack up their things or to leave, respectfully listening
to one another and turning off electronic devices such as cell phones. Please speak with me
before using a computer in class to take notes. Internet browsing in class is forbidden unless
specifically stated.
I expect each student to take responsibility for the energy he/she brings to the classroom.
As with any class, what you put into it is what you get out of it. This is a class for those who
want to learn, and who are willing to put the time, energy, effort, and most importantly a good
attitude into that learning. You are responsible for your learning, and for remembering to keep
your attitude professional, positive, and respectful for all in the classroom, students and
professor. If at any time during the semester you feel that you are falling behind in the class,
please contact me as soon as possible.
Cheating as well as plagiarism are strictly prohibited, as noted in the University’s laws and will
be handled accordingly. Cheating/plagiarism include but are not limited to using an online
translator to write papers/homework, asking someone else to write for you, copying on exams,
and/or neglecting to cite sources correctly according to the MLA, Chicago or other recognized
guidelines. If you are in doubt as to how to cite correctly consult here
(https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/).
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Usage and Style of Email Messages:
Learning how to write polite, professional, and well-worded e-mail messages in Spanish is
considered an integral part of a university education in Spanish (though of course if you need to
write in English for any reason please do so). Below see a guide sheet to help with this kind of
email. I will respond to e-mail messages once a (work) day; hence, you can expect an answer
from me between 24 and 48 hours after you send an email (except for weekends/holidays). No
class summaries will be available via email.
Style standards for email messaging:
Be sure to choose an appropriate subject heading that describes the content of your email. Begin
your message with:
“Buenos días/buenas tardes etc., profesora Applegate:” (neutral) “Estimada
profesora/doctora Applegate:” (formal)
“Hola, Lauren:” (very informal yet polite)*
*Note that a colon (“:”), rather than a comma, is normally used after the
greeting.
In the main body of the text, summarize in Spanish your question, concern, or information.
End your message with: “Atentamente” (neutral, professional)
“Muy atentamente” (neutral, professional)
“Agradeciéndole, como siempre, su inapreciable ayuda” (very
formal)
“Esperando su grata respuesta, le saluda atentamente” (very
formal)
“Quedo a la espera de sus noticias” (if your message contained a
question or a request, rather formal)
“Cordialmente” (professional but friendly)
“Un saludo” (neutral, friendly)
“Un abrazo” (friendly, only if you know a person well).
Then sign your name.
If you would like to add additional lines or observations to your message, you can write “PD” o
“Pdta.” after your signature and then add whatever you would like to add.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it
is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations
based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your instructor with an
accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
4
Calendar (subject to change):
Important Announcement: The California Faculty Association is in the midst of a difficult
contract dispute with management. It is possible that the faculty union will call a strike or other
work stoppage this term. I will inform the class as soon as possible of any disruption to our class
meeting schedule.
Week 1:
1/20 Introduction
1/22 Cien años capítulo 1
Week 2:
1/25 Cien años capítulos 2-3
1/27 Cien años capítulo 4
1/29 Cien años capítulo 5
Week 3:
2/1 Cien años capítulos 6-7
2/3 Cien años capítulos 8
2/5 Cien años capítulo 9
Week 4:
2/8 Cien años capítulos 10-11
2/10 Cien años capítulo 12
2/12 Cien años capítulo 13
Week 5:
2/15 Cien años capítulos 14-15
2/17 Cien años capítulo 16
2/19 Cien años capítulo 17
Week 6:
2/22 Cien años capítulos 18-19
2/24 Cien años capítulos 20 (fin)
2/26 Mid Term Exam #1 (Cien años de soledad)
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Week 7
2/29 Horacio Quiroga “El almohadón de pluma”
3/2 Horacio Quiroga “La gallina degollada”
3/4 J.L. Borges Ficciones – “Las ruinas circulares”
Week 8
3/7 J.L. Borges Ficciones “La Biblioteca de Babel”
3/9 J.L. Borges Ficciones – “El jardín de senderos que se bifurcan”
3/11 Julio Cortázar “El Axolotl”
Week 9
3/14 Julio Cortázar “La noche boca arriba”
3/16 Juan Rulfo “Es que somos muy pobres”
3/18 Rosario Ferré “La muñeca menor” y “La bailarina”*
Week 10
3/21 Gabriel García Márquez “Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes”
3/23 Edmundo Paz Soldán “Extraños en la noche”
3/25 Mid Term Exam #2 (cuentos)
Week 11
3/28 -4/1 – Spring Break. No classes.
Week 12
4/4 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: I-IV 9-33
4/6 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: V-VI (33-46)
4/8 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: VII (47-72)
Week 13
4/11 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: VIII-IX (72-95)
4/13 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: X-XII (96-123)
4/15 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 1: XIII-XIV (123-142)
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Week 14
4/18 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: I-III (145-179)
4/20 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: IV-VI (180-216)
4/22 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: VII-VIII (216-232)
Week 15
4/25 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: IX-X (232-253)
4/27 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: XI-XII (254-268)
Fecha límite de la propuesta y el esquema (incluyendo bibliografía anotada) del trabajo final.
4/29 Los recuerdos del porvenir Parte 2: XIII-XVI (268-286) (fin)
Week 16
5/2 Presentaciones de los trabajos finales
5/4 Presentaciones de los trabajos finales
Final Paper due on Monday, May 9th 2016 BEFORE 10:00am via Blackboard: Assignments.
NO EXCEPTIONS.