SPA 371
Latin American Cinema
(Proposed for Hispanic Studies)
Sample Syllabus
Description:
This course aims to introduce students to the analysis and interpretation of cinema in general and Latin American
Cinema in particular. Representative films from the main Latin American schools of cinema will be studied in their
social, political, and cultural context. A selection of works from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and other countries
will be included and special attention will be paid to topics such as the role of popular culture in the formation of a
nation, struggles for and against democracy and dictatorship, the environment, immigration, race and changing gender
roles.
The course will meet twice a week and consist of a lecture/discussion in English on Tuesday for all students, then
break into two sections (one conducted in English and one in Spanish) for Thursday, allowing students to choose to do
their written work and more detailed discussion of the films in either language.
Course Goals and Objectives:
Demonstration of detailed knowledge of the films selected, including reference to their historical and cultural
contexts, and to their place within their respective film industries; demonstration of a sound general understanding of
the development of cinema in Latin America.
Students will develop their capacity to analyze film texts, paying attention to aesthetic questions as well as film form
and genre; show an awareness of their significance in the broader context in which they were produced; understand
and use critical vocabulary proper to film studies.
Films
(All in Spanish with English subtitles)
Enamorada (Emilio “El Indio” Fernández) Mexico, 1946
Memorias del subdesarrollo (Tomás Gutiérrez Alea) Cuba, 1968
The Green Wall (Armando Robles Godoy) Peru, 1970
Portrait of Teresa (Pastor Vega) Cuba, 1979
The Official Story (Luis Puenzo) Argentina, 1985
Rodrigo D: No Future (Víctor Gaviria) Colombia, 1990
Who the Hell is Juliette? (Carlos Marcovich) Mexico/Cuba, 1997
The City (David Riker) United States, 1999
Love’s a Bitch (Alejandro González Inarritu) Mexico, 2000
Nine Queens (Fabian Bielinsky) Argentina, 2000
Required Texts
Bordwell, David and Thompson, Kristin. Film Art: An Introduction
Hayward, Susan. Cinema Studies: Key Concepts
Peter Calvert and Susan Calvert. Latin America in the Twentieth Century
King, John. Magical Reels: A History of Cinema in Latin America
All texts will be available at the University of Kentucky bookstores. On the tests you will be responsible for the
material covered in the assigned readings.
Film Viewings
Films in the course will be shown each Wednesday starting at 2 and 6 in the Classroom Building room __. It is
essential that you view the films at one of these times. Attendance will be taken and that films will be discussed the
following day in class. All films will also be on reserve in the Language Lab (312 Classroom Building) one week prior
to and one week following the scheduled showing. Do not assume, however, that the films will always be available
when you walk into the Language Lab. Someone else may be viewing them or they may be checked out by the
instructor.
Grading
The grade for the course will be based on
Participation
(15%)
Critical essays (2)
(40%)
Midterm exam
(20%)
Final Exam
(25%)
Grading scale: 100 – 90%
89-80%
79-70%
A
B
C
69-60%
59% and less
D
E
Class Participation and Film Attendance
Viewing of all films is absolutely essential. If you miss a screening due to illness, you should arrange to see it as soon
as possible upon your return as some films will only be on reserve for a week prior to and following the scheduled
screening. Active participation means that you have made a constructive, informed contribution to class discussion
and/or come to class with questions based on the viewings and readings.
Midterm and Final
The midterm and final exams will cover lectures, assigned readings and all films. These exams will contain essay
questions that provide students with the opportunity to synthesize what they have learned in the course. No make-ups
will be given unless arrangements have been made prior to the test date and with a legitimate excuse.
SPA 371: LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA
Proposed Course for the Department of Hispanic Studies, College of Arts and Sciences
Course Objectives (Student Learning Outcomes)
Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to:
• Demonstrate 1) an ability to summarize content and do original interpretations within the context
of existing critical thought, and 2) acquired knowledge of some of the twentieth-century historical,
political and sociocultural movements portrayed in the films, presented in the Latin America in the
Twentieth Century textbook and discussed in class.
• Analyze film critically, equipped with a knowledge of basic film theory and film theory concepts
such as montage and other editing techniques, camera angles as well marketing, production, and other
more material concerns.
• Apply this knowledge, by extension, to any type of film such as “art” films, documentaries, and
popular films of any period or country.
• Improve their ability to understand key Latin American cultural, political and social movements as
well to express themselves logically and coherently in written form through close interaction with the
professor and teaching assistant while preparing the short critical essays.