Pathological Citizens: The Politics and Poetics of Disease in Latin American Literature
SPAN 281
Fall 2011 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
LAST 283 |
In this course we will examine canonical and marginal texts--both fictional and testimonial, essays and film--that present disease as the main metaphor for Latin American political crises since the end of the 19th century. The presence of diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, and AIDS in these texts will allow us to explore artistic, cultural, and political debates in different sociopolitical contexts. Special emphasis will be given to the strategies through which the diseased portray themselves and are portrayed by others in relation to the nation and the various phenomena known as globalization. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Interpretation, Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (LAST)(RMST) |
Major Readings:
Course reader (shorter texts and excerpts will be placed on Blackboard)
Susan Sontag, ILLNESS AS METAPHOR
Abraham Valdelomar, LA CIUDAD DE LOS TISICOS
Reinaldo Arenas, LEPROSORIO
Marta Blanco, MARADENTRO
Mario Bellatin, SALÓN DE BELLEZA
Fernando Vallejo, EL DESBARRANCADERO
Marta Dillon, VIVIR CON VIRUS
Films: BEFORE NIGHT FALLS (Dir. Julian Schnabel; based on Reinaldo Arenas's autobiography ANTES QUE ANOCHEZCA) & UN AÑO SIN AMOR (Dir. Anahi Berneri, based on Pablo Perez's diary).
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Examinations and Assignments:
One-page response papers for each class session; a long final paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Close reading of Latin American novels, short stories, dramas, poetry, testimonial and autobiographical writing, and film as cultural productions in relation to the wider political debates of the 20th and 21st century. Students will have the opportunity to improve their writing skills, both personal and critical, in Spanish by producing written responses to each assigned text and a final longer essay. Students will also be expected to open the conversation on assigned dates and participate in class discussion. |
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