Introduction to Latino/a Literatures and Cultures
ENGL 279
Fall 2009
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 278, LAST 279 |
Who are Latino/as? What do you think of when asked to reflect on "Latino/a" as a concept or category? Within popular culture, Latino/as are often configured as either keepers of the newest "hot and exotic" entertainment trends (mambo, salsa, reggaeton) or as threats to some notion of "pure" American culture (maintaining the Spanish language, illegal immigration, and the "dangers" of barrio culture). What lies beneath these contradictory, superficial ideas about Latino/as? To begin to answer this question, our seminar will provide a historical background of Latino/as from the 19th century to the present along with a critical overview of themes and issues that have shaped the experiences of Latina/o populations in the United States. We will investigate how Latino/as have used literature, performance art, music, and film to narrate and work through questions pertaining to race, class, gender, sexuality, politics, and transnational identity. In putting conceptions of Latino/as from the dominant culture into conversation with the history and cultural production of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Chicano/a, and Dominican communities, our goal will be to think critically about the range of resources and strategies for identity formation, the inventions and uses of cultural forms, and the politics of representation. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Interpretation
Intercultural Literacy and Interpretation.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA ENGL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)(ENGL)(ENGL-Literature) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Flores, Juan. FROM BOMBA TO HIP HOP
Oboler, Suzanne. ETHNIC LABELS, LATINO LIVES
Anzaldua, Gloria. BORDERLANDS/LA FRONTERA
Valdez, Luis. ZOOT SUIT AND OTHER PLAYS
Diaz, Junot. DROWN
Acosta, Oscar Zeta. REVOLT OF THE COCKROACH PEOPLE
Thomas, Piri. DOWN THESE MEAN STREETS
Menéndez, Ana. IN CUBA I WAS A GERMAN SHEPHERD
González, Juan. HARVEST OF EMPIRE
Other readings, images, video clips, and music will be available on Blackboard.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will submit 1 page weekly response papers. Pairs of students will be asked to lead discussion and pose questions each week. Grades will be based on response papers, attendance and participation, group work, and a midterm (6-8) and final paper (10-12). |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the Literatures of Difference requirement and contributres to the Race and Ethnicity concentration in the English major. It also helps satisfy the Comparative Americas requirement for American Studies majors. |
| Instructor(s): Laguna,Albert S. Times: ....R.. 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: FISK115; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 6 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 6 | FR: 5 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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