Spanish 350: Introduction to Literary Studies
Disclaimer: This document includes information about the textbooks used in this course
and a sample syllabus. It is not the exact syllabus for this course.
Required textbook:
Virgillo, Carmelo, et al. Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica, 7th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2012.
ISBN-13 9780073513157
Cost: $113.33 (from the publisher) || $111.80—New $77.10--Used (at UWM Bookstore)
Also available at Panther books.
Recommended:
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern
Language Association of America, 2009.
ISBN: 9781603290241
$22.00 [Available for reference at the UWM Library]
Notes:
Students may find better prices for the books online or from renting them.
The instructor may assign other readings and books that will be available either though
D2L, or at the library.
Sample syllabus:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee || Department of Spanish and Portuguese || Spring 2012
Spanish 350-003: Introduction to Literary Analysis (Per UWM Policy: Syllabus Links
http://www4.uwm.edu/secu/SyllabusLinks.pdf)
Instructor: Ester Suárez-Felipe Office: CRT 704 : 229-2828 || : ester@uwm.edu
Office Hours: Monday 11:10--12:10 & Wednesday 3:30--4:30 PM || Other times by
appointment
Meeting Days & Room: T&R: 3:30 - 4:45 PM – CRT B25
Final Exam: Friday, May 18th, 2012, 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Department Chairman: R. John McCaw (CRT 729, rjmccaw@uwm.edu)
Program Assistant: Karen Marquardt (CRT 733, 229-4257, kmarqt@uwm.edu)
TEXTS
Virgillo, Carmelo, et al. Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica, 7th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2012. [Available at PantherBooks & UWM Bookstore || ISBN-13
9780073513157 Cost: $113.33 (from the publisher) || $111.80—New $77.10--Used (at UWM
Bookstore)]
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: Modern
Language Association of America, 2009. [ISBN: 9781603290241 || $22.00 [Available for
reference at the UWM Library]
Recommended: An unabridged, college-level English-Spanish, Spanish-English dictionary and
a good Spanish only dictionary are also recommended. The Diccionario de la lengua española and
the Diccionario panhispánico de dudas of the Real Academia Española are available for
consultation online: http://www.rae.es/rae.html
Notes: Students may find better prices for the books online.
The instructor may assign other readings that will be available either though D2L, or at the
library.
COURSE
Prerequisites: Spanish 308 (P) and Spanish 318 (C) or 319 (C).
Description and objectives: This course is an introduction to Hispanic literature; it is designed
to acquaint students with the critical tools needed to analyze texts and conduct research in
Spanish. This is an advanced course and it is a requirement for all other advanced literature
courses in Spanish. Students will read and analyze Spanish texts in the four basic literary
genres-- narrative, poetry, theater, and essay. They will study the origin and historical
development of each genre, as well as significant literary periods, movements and significant
figures of Hispanic literature. It is expected that students in this course will 1. Acquire
knowledge and understanding of the main critical and theoretical terms to discuss literature. 2.
Acquire knowledge and understanding of the key traits and chronology of the most important
literary and cultural movements in Hispanic literature, and become familiar with important
authors. 3. Develop the ability to apply the above knowledge to the critical reading and analysis
of Hispanic literature. 4. Develop the ability to write an academic research paper. 5. Improve
their Spanish skills and proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
D2L Site || Mailing List: There is a D2L site for this course. The instructor will use it regularly
to post homework assignments to be completed by the students, as well as to share other
information that may be helpful to the students. Although emailing is possible from D2L, there
is also a reflector (ClassList) created for this class. The instructor may use this mailing list to
forward messages that may be of interest to students. Students are welcomed to use the
reflector to communicate among themselves. To contact the instructor, it is advisable to use her
personal address above. The email ClassList address is: ester-350@uwm.edu.
Attendance: It is necessary that students attend class every day. Regular class attendance is
necessary for the successful attainment of the course objectives. Missing class negatively affects
the progress in class. If you are unable to attend class due to an unavoidable conflict, you are
still responsible for the assigned material and for coming to the next class prepared and ready
to participate. Attendance means that students are present in the classroom and ready to work
at the starting time. Missing classes and frequent tardiness will lower the final grade. Students
who miss any classes during the first two weeks of the semester and fail to contact the
instructor may be dropped from the class to make room for other students.
Student responsibilities: The instructor’s teaching philosophy is that all the members of the
group will learn from each other; all students will contribute to the knowledge of the class in
addition to benefiting from their own individual work. Learning in a foreign language is an
active process that requires constant individual effort outside the classroom and active
participation in class. It is of the utmost importance that students come to class prepared and
ready to actively participate so that every student can obtain the maximum benefit from the
class. The study of concepts and historical developments, the readings, and any book exercises
or other tasks assigned by the instructor, must be completed before class. All assignments must
be completed by the due date. Due dates for all assignments are indicated in the syllabus or
posted in the D2L site for the course. Following is a detailed explanation of the regular
assignments for this course:
Preparation and participation: Students have to come to class every day prepared to
participate: They will have to do the assigned readings, either in the textbook or other sources,
before coming to class each day. Students will also have to complete homework activities to
ensure good preparation for class participation. The instructor may require that some exercises
be handed in, or she may collect the daily homework sporadically without further warning.
Failure to complete the homework will negatively affect the participation grade for the course.
[Be aware that a 3-credit course usually entails about six hours of work per week outside the
classroom and plan accordingly.] Active participation in class is expected of all students
regardless of their oral skills in Spanish. Class participation will enhance said skills and is
integral to the exploration and understanding of the topics at hand. The course will be
conducted entirely in Spanish.
Controles: Students will take brief quizzes almost every day of class either through D2L or at
the beginning of the class period. These quizzes will monitor the student preparation for class
and they may cover all material assigned for that day, class discussions from the previous class,
and activities and exercises assigned as homework. Beware that chronic poor performance in
these quizzes may also affect your participation grade.
Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a final exam in this course. Exams will assess
students’ knowledge and understanding of the specific material covered in class, as well as their
ability to read and analyze literary texts.
Essays: Each student will have to write a total of four essays in this course. All papers must
be typed, double spaced, no extra space between paragraphs, written using fonts Times New
Roman or Book Antiqua not to exceed 12 points in size, and 1” margins all around. Please, set
your margins properly. All essays must have a title. No late essays will be accepted. Below is a
description of each of the papers:
#1--Cuento: (5% of total grade) Students will write a 2 to 3 page paper about one of the short
stories assigned for class using the guidelines for the reader presented in the book in page 41 (El
cuento: Guía general para el lector). The paper must be written as an essay that integrates the
answers to the questions in the Guía and must include two or three original questions for
discussion; it must include the bibliographic citation for the reading in the book following MLA
style. The paper will be due the day that the reading is assigned for class. The students’
questions will be used for in-class discussion of the readings. The students and the instructor
will work together during the first week of classes to establish a calendar of due dates for each
student. (A sample paper of this assignment will be posted on D2L.) Due in class.
#2--Novela: (10% of total grade) Students will write a brief 2 ½ to 3 ½ page paper about the
novel we will read in class, San Manuel Bueno, mártir. Students will have to focus on a theme of
the novel; they must analyze a particular aspect of the work that they find interesting by
presenting, developing and supporting their ideas based on the literary text and at least one
other additional source. The paper should include citations from the novel and at least one
other source. This paper has to be written following the style of the MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers, and must include a bibliography of the bibliographic citation for the reading in
the book and the secondary sources cited in the paper. (The section Temas that follows the
readings in the textbook can be helpful in providing ideas to develop in this paper. Students are
encouraged to consult the instructor as needed.) Due in D2L: Dropbox (Microsoft Word format: .doc
or .docx)
#3--Poema: (5% of total grade) Students will write a 2 to 3 page analytical paper about one of
the poems assigned for class using the guidelines for the reader presented in the book in page
173 (La poesía: Guía general para el lector). This paper will include the formal analysis of the poem
(metric, rhyme, rhetorical figures...) and a personal reaction to the reading illustrated with
citations from the poem. The paper must be written as an essay that integrates the answers to
the questions in the Guía and must include two or three original questions for discussion; it
must include the bibliographic citation for the reading in the book following MLA style. The
paper will be due the day that the reading is assigned for class. The students’ questions will be
used for in-class discussion of the readings. The students and the instructor will work together
during the first week of classes to establish a calendar of due dates for each student. (A poem
will be analyzed collectively in class following the parameters of this assignment before
students have to hand in their essays.) Due in class.
#4—Research paper: (15% of total grade) Students will write a brief 3 to 4 page research paper
about one of the literary works covered in Aproximaciones, other than San Manuel... The research
paper must analyze a particular aspect of the work at hand by presenting, developing and
supporting original ideas. The section Temas that follows the readings in the textbook can be
helpful in providing ideas to develop in the paper. Discussions in class can be a good source of
ideas as well. Students are encouraged to pursue original topics of their own. Topics centered
on the author’s biography, or historical and contextual in essence are not allowed; neither are
summaries of the plot. The papers must explore and analyze the text critically; key elements of
the text must be offered to illustrate the ideas presented in the paper. The research paper has to
be written following the style of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition.
Each paper must be accompanied by a bibliography of the sources used by the student. The
bibliography must include the bibliographic citation for the reading in the book and at least two
outside sources of information. If Aproximaciones is used as a secondary source, it does not count
towards the two required sources. The instructor will post on D2L more detailed information
about the structure, content, progress due dates, and grading for this paper. Due in D2L:
Dropbox (Microsoft Word format: .doc or .docx)
Grading Scale:
77-79 C+
67-69 D+
0-59 F
87-89 B+
93-100 A
90-92 A-
83-86 B
80-82 B-
73-76 C
70-72 C-
63-66 D
60-62 D-
Grading: The final grade will have on the following components:
20% Preparation and participation: In class participation (15%); Controles (5%)
35% Essays (Cuento—5%|| Novela—10% || Poema—5% || Research paper—15%)
20% Midterm Exams 25% Final Exam
Make-ups: Make-ups for exams and other assignments will only be given for official conflicts
and excused absences. UWM recognizes as excused absences a family emergency, illness,
religious observance or an unavoidable professional obligation. Such absences must be
supported by WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION in order to be accepted. If possible, arrangements
should be made with the instructor prior to the absence. Please be aware that absences will
affect your participation grade even if excused.
Electronic Devices: All cellular phones, IPods, etc. must be turned off during class time.
Special Needs: If you will need special accommodations in order to meet any of the
requirements of this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. Said students
must also contact the Student Accessibility Center (www.sac.uwm.edu), Mitchell Hall 116, (414)
229-6287 Voice/TTY if they have not done so already.
Major / Minor: To declare a major or minor in Spanish, contact the Spanish Undergraduate
Academic Advisor as soon as possible: Stellia Jordán (Curtin 703) sadvisor@uwm.edu
Academic Conduct: Students are expected to follow the code on academic conduct at UWM on
all their assignments. Quoting directly the words of others without properly identifying the
quotation, using sources of information without identifying them, and paraphrasing ideas of
others without giving them credit are all forms of plagiarism. UWM student academic
misconduct procedures can be found at:
http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm.
Other Academic Resources: ] Spanish Writing Center, Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
The purpose of the Center is to assist students currently taking Spanish classes with the specific
writing assignments assigned in their classes--for example: sentence structure, thesis
development, grammar correction, etc. Because the Department has limited resources available
to staff the Writing Center at the current moment, it is imperative that students contact us in
advance for any assistance. To make an appointment, please contact Ms. Jordán at
writesp@uwm.edu.
β] The UWM Writing Center helps students hone their writing skills. It can help students with
concepts and skills considered universal to all languages, such as thesis development and
proper documentation of sources.
γ] International Partners: Students interested in meeting with someone from a Spanishspeaking country on a regular basis can contact Jennifer Mattson, from the ESL Program, in
Curtin 697 (229-4230; jennifr@uwm.edu). This experience can be both a cultural and language
exchange between students.
δ] Resource Center: The Language Resource Center, located in the basement of Curtin Hall, has
materials available for improving your oral and written skills in Spanish.
ε]Student Success Center: For information on individualized help with academics and campus
resources visit their website at, http://www4.uwm.edu/ssc/
Friendly Note: At times during a semester, personal circumstances interfere with a student’s
ability to keep on track with the course work. Should any such situation arise in your life, you
are encouraged to, and responsible for, discussing the circumstances with the instructor as
soon as possible, so that a plan may be developed for you to be able to complete all the
required tasks.
CALENDARIO TENTATIVO DE CLASES
How to read: Every assigned literary reading is to be done keeping in mind and applying the
guidelines for the reader presented in the book (Guía general para el lector) for that particular
genre. That is, students are expected to do all readings following the corresponding Guía and
taking notes as needed. For easy reference, the page on wh ich the guidelines appear for each
genre will be reflected in this calendar the first week that readings are assigned for said genre.
SEMANA 1 (del 23 al 27 de enero)
martes Introducción al curso. ¡Bienvenidos!
jueves Introducción (1-8) ¡A hablar en español! Calendario para los ensayos Cuento y Poema.
SEMANA 2 (del 30 de enero al 3 de febrero)
“El cuento: Guía para el lector”, Pág. 41
martes “Introducción a la narrativa” (10-24)
jueves “Panorama histórico”(24-31—… tradiciones y ficción anecdótica.) Don Juan Manuel, “Lo
que le sucedió a un mozo” Ricardo Palma, “La camisa de Margarita” (42-50)
SEMANA 3 (del 6 al 10 de febrero)
martes “Panorama histórico”(31-35)” Emilia Pardo Bazán, “Las medias rojas” (50-53)
jueves Jorge Luis Borges, “El etnógrafo” Julio Cortázar, “La noche boca arriba” Juan Rulfo, “No
oyes ladrar los perros”(59-72)
SEMANA 4 (del 13 al 17 de febrero)
martes Ana María Matute, “Pecado de omisión” Gabriel García Márquez, “La mujer que llegaba
a las seis” (79-93)
jueves “Panorama histórico” (36-40) Soledad Puértolas, “Historias sencillas” (102-109)
SEMANA 5 (del 20 al 24 de febrero)
“La novela: Guía para el lector de San Manuel…”, Pág. 41
martes Library Instruction Room A in the Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons
jueves Miguel de Unamuno, San Manuel Bueno, mártir (110-125--… las entrañas maternales.)
SEMANA 6 (del 27 de febrero al 2 de marzo)
martes Miguel de Unamuno, San Manuel Bueno, mártir (125-134)
jueves Examen parcial #1: La narrativa
SEMANA 7 (del 5 al 9 de marzo)
“La poesía: Guía para el lector”, Pág. 173
martes “Introducción a la poesía” (138-152)
jueves “El lenguaje literario”(152-160) Garcilaso de la Vega, “Soneto XXIII” (176-178)
viernes Ensayo #2—Novela: Para las 2:00 de la tarde—Dropbox (D2L)
SEMANA 8 (del 12 al 16 de marzo) Last day to drop full-term classes March 16th
martes “Panorama histórico” (160-163--… indígenas araucos de Chile.) Anónimo, “El Enamorado
y la Muerte” (174-175) Santa Teresa de Jesús, “Vivo sin vivir en mí” (179-181)
jueves “Panorama histórico”(163-164) Luis de Góngora, “Soneto LXXXVI” (184-185) Francisco
de Quevedo, “Represéntase la brevedad…” Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, “A su retrato” (188-191)
SEMANA 9 (19 al 23 de marzo) Vacaciones de primavera
SEMANA 10 (del 26 al 30 de marzo)
martes “Panorama histórico”(165-166--… para llorar después?) José de Espronceda, “Canción del
pirata” (192-194) Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, “Rima LIII” José Martí, “Si ves un monte de espuma”
(198-201) Rubén Darío, “Canción de otoño en primavera” (206-209)
SEMANA 10 (del 26 al 30 de marzo) (Cont.)
jueves “Panorama histórico”(166-169--… poetas peninsulares) Antonio Machado, “Proverbios y
cantares: XXIX” Juan Ramón Jiménez, “Vino, primero, pura” Gabriela Mistral, “Meciendo”
(211-216) César Vallejo(216-217), “Yuntas” [El poema] [El poema declamado con música]
SEMANA 11 (del 2 al 6 de abril)
martes “Panorama histórico”(169-172) Vicente Huidobro, “La capilla aldeana” (219-221)
Federico García Lorca, “Prendimiento de Antoñito el Camborio…” (223-225) Nicolás Guillén,
“Sensemayá” Pablo Neruda, “La Infinita” (229-232)
jueves Octavio Paz, “El sediento” y “Cifra” Gloria Fuertes, “Sale caro ser poeta” Ángel
González, “Ciudad cero” Ernesto Cardenal, “De pronto suena…”, “Yo he participado” y “Al
perderte yo a ti” (234-244) Nancy Morejón, ”Mujer Negra” (246-249)
SEMANA 12 (del 9 al 13 de abril)
martes Repaso para el examen
jueves Examen parcial #2: La poesía
SEMANA 13 (del 16 al 20 de abril)
martes “Introducción al drama” (252-273)
jueves “Panorama histórico”(273-279) Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, “El juez de los divorcios”
(292-299)
SEMANA 14 (del 23 al 27 de abril)
martes “Panorama histórico”(280-289) Emilio Carballido, “El Censo Comedia” (300-309)
jueves Federico García Lorca (223-224), “La casa de Bernarda Alba”, Acto primero (335-347)
SEMANA 15 (del 30 de abril al 4 de mayo)
martes Federico García Lorca, “La casa de Bernarda Alba”, Actos segundo y tercero (348-370)
jueves “Introducción al ensayo” (374-384) y “Panorama histórico” (Documento en D2L)
viernes Ensayo #4—Ensayo de investigación: Para las 2:00 de la tarde—Dropbox (D2L)
SEMANA 16 (del 7 al 11 de mayo)
martes Mariano José de Larra, “Vuelva usted mañana” (401-411) [4 estudiantes] Arturo Uslar
Pietri, “Notas sobre el vasallaje” (411-422) [4 estudiantes] Rosario Castellanos, “Y las madres,
¿qué opinan?” Rosario Ferré, “La autenticidad de la mujer en el arte” (426-436) [4 estudiantes]
jueves: Último día de clase: Repaso y cabos sueltos.