Spanish 135 - Latin American Cultures
and Civilizations
School: Santa Clara University
Professor: Dr. Lucia T. Varona
Span 135
Fall 2000
Required text:
Castellanos, Rosario. (1996) Ciudad Real . Alfaguara, México.
Castillo, Ana. (1994) Massacre of the Dreamers; essays on xicanisma. Plume, Penguin
Boocs USA Inc., 375 Hudson, Street, New York, NY 10014.
Fuentes, Carlos. (1998). El espejo enterrado. Taurus, México.
García Márquez, Gabriel (1996) Noticia de un secuestro. Grupo editorial Norma. Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
Martínez, Tomás Eloy. (1995) Santa Evita. Vintage Español. Random House Inc. New
York.
Menchú, Rigoberta (1998) Rigoberta: La nieta de los mayas. Aguilar. México.
Sandoval, Manuel Lucena (1998) La América precolombina. Anaya, Madrid, España.
Santiago, Esmeralda (1994). Cuando era puertorriqueña. Vintage Español. Random
House, Inc. New York.
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 100 and 101.
COURSE CONDUCTED ENTIRELY IN SPANISH
OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES:
In this course, we will explore the basic factors that have molded and continue to shape
the life and institutions of the Spanish-speaking peoples of the Americas. Ciudad Real, El
espejo enterrado, Rigoberta: La nieta de los mayas, La América precolombina, Historia
de un secuestro, Cuando era puertorriqueña, Santa Evita, Massacre of the Dreamers,will
be used to examine different aspects of the dynamic life of contemporary Latin America.
The principal objectives of the course are four:
To gain an understanding of the multifaceted nature of the people who inhabit Latin
America today.
To examine the process by which the traditions and institutions that govern them have
developed.
To develop a sense of solidarity with the hopes, dreams and struggles of the people in
Latin America and Latin Americans in the United States.
To question tradition as a jail to identity.
Readings, lectures, videos, presentations and constant reflection on what it is and what it
ought to be will stress the interrelationships of the humanities and the social sciences.
Thus, the course content will be presented from a dual perspective. The aim is to root
cultural achievements in their historical settings and to analyze some of the minority
groups in these times and their role in society. This will be done by analyzing the
interplay between social, political, economic events, and contemporary developments in
philosophy, religion, arts and literature from a critical perspective.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class attendance and participation in discussions
Two three-page papers,
Oral presentation
One final paper.
PAPERS:
?Students will write a three-page paper based on the information discussed in class
about pre-Columbian times, and the actual situation of the Native Americans in the
Americas. The paper must discuss the following:
1.Discuss what is it that motivated different cultures and civilizations to invent a
creation story?
2.Explain how did life start in the Americas?
3.Mention some of the great contributions of the Native Americans to the world?
4.Explain what are the main characteristics of the three mostly known Native
American civilizations, the Aztec, the Maya, and the Incas?
5.Explain what do you think now when you read about the conquistadors?
6.Who do you think are the ones that are oppressing Native Americans today?
Students will write a three-page paper based on the information in El espejo
enterrado. According to Fuentes:
1.Who are the Latin Americans?
2.What has shaped them that way?
3.What should Latin Americans be proud of?
4.What is shaping the people of Latin America today?
5.How should be the relationship between South and North?
6.What are you going to do to change your view and the way you treat Latin
Americans?
In the end of the quarter, every student will present a two-page paper based on what
he/she learned from the Eastside Project and how does this knowledge relate to
what classmates have presented in class. Students will keep a journal of their work
in the Eastside. Every student will take notes of his/her classmates' presentations.
Journal and notes from the presentations must be included in the final paper.
The final paper should answer the following questions:
1.What did you know about Latin America before this class?
2.How did the people you meet in the Eastside Projects change your view of Latin
America?
3.What are the main concerns of the people in the Eastside Projects?
4.What are their hopes and dreams?
5.How do your observations relate to the books presented by your classmates?
6.What are you going to do to help others see Latin America differently?
Don't forget to include a copy of your journal and the outline of your own
presentation.
EASTSIDE PROJECT (SL)
Students will participate in two of the Eastside project sites. CET and The Law
Clinic. Students in these sites will be able to do simultaneous translation for clients
of the Law Clinic and teach adults how to read and write in CET. Both places will
provide students with the opportunity to dialogue with Latin American people who
have come to the United States. Students will serve the community at the same time
that they learn through direct contact about the reasons for Latin Americans to
leave their country and about their struggles to fit in a new culture.
Papers will be written following the guidelines outlined in the MLA Handbook.
ORAL PRESENTATION:
Every student will give an oral presentation that will be based on one of the books
read during the quarter. This presentation will include:
Information about the author.
A short summary of the themes discussed in the book.
A short information on the historical context of the book.
An explanation on how this book helps us understand the life of Latin Americans
today.
?Students must write an outline of their presentation, which will include in their
final paper.
GRADING
Final course grades will be computed as follows:
Two three-page papers…………………………….. 40%
One final paper……………….. ………………….. 20%
Oral presentation………………………………….. 30%
Class participation…………………………………. 10%