Nuevo cuento hispanoamericano

SPAN 348/470
Department of Spanish Hollins University

Profesor Daz Miranda

Turner, C-31
MW 9:45-11:15
diazam@hollins.edu

The aim of this course is to present not only a panoramic view of the new Latin American short story but
its historical, political, and cultural contexts. We will start by reading the masters of the so-called Latin
American Boom and its immediate antecedents. We will then move towards authors who are currently
engaged in the genre and are finding innovative aesthetic ways to present their writing in 21st Century
Latin America and beyond.

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Course Objectives:

1. To evaluate the students skill in short and long written compositions in Spanish.

2. To instill and reinforce the writing process: creating an idea or following insight, choosing a
topic, drafting, revising, and editing formal and informal compositions.

3. To have students articulate ideas clearly in Spanish by engaging literary texts (short stories in
our case).

4. To create and prepare oral presentations that showcase the students communication skills.

5. To perform those presentations in a public setting (in our case, the safe space of our classroom).

6. To understand authentic Latin American language through the language of fiction.

7. To familiarize the student with the history and culture of the countries highlighted within the
stories.

8. To believe that learning and aesthetic enjoyment are not mutually exclusive.

Grade scale
A = 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = 0-62
A-= 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-69
B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72

Components of the course*

Participation in class 5%
Responses (5) 25%
Oral presentation 15%
Essay (1) 35%
Exams (2) 20%

Participation in class (5%)

Attendance and class participation based on the readings is fundamental for the grade of the students
and for the development of the class. Passive assistance does not count as participation.

Responses (25%)
There are five (5) responses scheduled during the semester. Responses are one to two page documents
where the student discusses the readings for the class and brings questions for the conversation in the
classroom.

Oral Presentation (15%)

Students will prepare a short presentation (8-10 minutes) based on one of the pre-selected readings that
you will discuss with the professor during office hours. Student may use as many resources as they wish
but cannot go over the allotted time.

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One essay (35%)
The essay will consist of six (6) full pages. Other components of your grade will be 1. an outline / plan of
your final paper (3%). 2. An annotated bibliography (7%). 3. A peer-reviewed first draft (10%). And 4.
your final paper (15%). More information on topics and specifications will be provided later in the
semester.

Two exams (20%)

One partial exams that will amount 10% of the final grade. The midterm take-home exam will be valued
at 10%. The objectives are to evaluate your critical engagement with the texts. Your level of
comprehension of the readings and the critical terms and subjects analyzed in class will also be
assessed.

*Senior Seminar Students will be provided an extra sheet of responsibilities on our next
class after meeting with the Professor during office hours.

Important Course Policies

Attendance:

1. Students are required to attend all classes. You are allowed a maximum of two unexcused absences,
which you should reserve for short illnesses and emergencies. Unexcused absences beyond these limits
will result in the lowering of your final course grade by one letter grade.

2. Some excused absences are permitted. Your absence on religious holidays will be excused if you
inform the instructor in advance. Your absence may be excused if you suffer a serious medical
emergency, provided you obtain written confirmation from a doctor or dean. Your absence may also be
excused in other extraordinary circumstances, provided you obtain a letter from the dean.

3. You also have one personal day. You are not allowed to use it during quizzes or exams. Your personal
day will not exempt you from submitting your work on time.

Special Needs:

Please speak with Profe. Daz as soon as possible. Remember to bring proper documentation.

Hollins University Honor Code:

Every student who applies to and is accepted by Hollins, as a condition of acceptance, agrees to abide by
the provisions of the Honor Code for the duration of her studies at Hollins University. By her continued
attendance to class, a student reaffirms her pledge to adhere to the provisions of the Honor Code. All
work for this course, including exams, essays, written homework and any other assignments, is
governed by the Honor Code.

Responsibility for Materials:

All the assigned readings should be thoroughly read and understood even if not covered
in class. You may decide to use and discuss these materials in a response paper or in your essay. The
professor reserves the right to assign the materials that were not covered either in the form of oral
presentations, class discussions, quizzes and/or exams. The professor is accessible to answer any and all
questions regarding not only the readings but also any issues that may arise during the semester.
Needless to say, all the readings in the syllabus as well as those assigned during class time
or as homework are the sole responsibility of the student.

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Schedule

February

Antes (Siglo XX)

3 Introduction: La importancia del cuento en Latinoamrica | El dinosaurio Augusto

Monterroso | Relacin entre historia, poltica y arte

8 Diles que no me maten Juan Rulfo | Resumen de media pgina y dos preguntas
para discutir en clase *

10 El almohadn de plumas Horacio Quiroga | Resumen de media pgina y dos

preguntas *

15 Casa tomada Julio Cortzar | Anlisis en clase con mapa de la casa | dos preguntas
para agilizar la discusin en clase

17 La noche boca arriba Julio Cortzar | Response paper 1 (una pgina) | Resumen
oral del response paper *

22 Las ruinas circulares Jorge Luis Borges | Comparacin con La noche boca arriba
(una pgina) y dos preguntas *

24 El sur de Jorge Luis Borges | Response paper 2 (una pgina)

29 La Santa Gabriel Garca Mrquez | Presentacin Oral 1

March

2 EXAMEN I

Ahora (Siglo XXI)

7 La alienacin tambin tiene su belleza Cristina Rivera Garza | Resumen y dos preguntas

9 Detectives Roberto Bolao | Response paper 3

14 Ausencia Daniel Alarcn |

16 Bonsi Guadalupe Nettel | Escuchar el cuento en la voz de la autora | EXAM 1 TAKE

HOME

21 Spring Vacation

23 Spring Vacation

28 Jam Session Gabriela Alemn | Presentacin Response paper 4 XXXX

30 El boxeador polaco Eduardo Halfon |Presentacin Sara | Response paper 5

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April

4 Final Paper Writing Workshop (...)

6 Huracn Ena Luca Portela |Presentacin Kat | Presentacin Oral 4

11 Matar un perro Samanta Schweblin | Presentacin Cecy | Presentacin Oral 5

13 Oso Blanco Mayra Santos Febres | Presentacin ME Barone | OUTLINE DUE

18 Prueba de aptitud Alberto Fuguet

20 Un arte de hacer ruinas Antonio Jos Ponte | ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE

25 Leccin de cocina Rosario Castellanos

27 La errante Luisa Valenzuela

May

2 PEER-REVIEWEDFIRST DRAFT DUE

4 PEER-REVIEWEDSECOND DRAFT DUE

9 Last Day of Class