Latin American Literature III 3305-LAL3-31
The seminar examines the transformation of Latin American literature from the late nineteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, tracing the emergence of contemporary literature on the continent.
The course covers the following topics: the specificity and continental significance of Latin American modernismo as an original literary movement; post-modernista poetry as a space in which contestatory voices on women's rights and minority rights emerge; regionalism and indigenismo as literary engagements with Latin American particularity and the colonial legacy; the novel of the Mexican Revolution as a genre that reckons with the experience of revolution and its social consequences; avant-garde phenomena in poetry and their relationship with European artistic movements; and the origins and development of the Latin American short story (Quiroga, Arlt, Bombal, Onetti).
Sessions combine historical and literary introduction with close reading of selected texts.
Course coordinators
Term 2026Z: | Term 2025Z: |
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Students know and understand:
- the specificity of Latin American literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a field of study and its connections with the historical and cultural processes of the period (K_W02, K_W05);
- the basic terminology, scope, and research approaches in the study of Latin American literature of this period (K_W03);
- the history of Latin American literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: its tendencies, movements, major authors, and their works (K_W04).
Students are able to:
- read and analyse literary texts of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, applying appropriate terminology and methods (K_U01, K_U03);
- apply basic theoretical frameworks and research paradigms relevant to the study of Latin American literature of this period (K_U07);
- independently acquire knowledge and develop analytical skills using relevant scholarly and literary sources (K_U04);
- present their own views, engage in discussion, and deliver prepared presentations in Spanish (K_U02).
Students are ready to:
- critically assess their own knowledge and skills and recognise the need for continuous development (K_K01);
- plan and organise their work, collaborate in a team, and observe the principles of academic integrity (K_K02);
- actively engage with Latin American culture through various forms and media, both in collaborative and autonomous work (K_K03);
- follow processes and developments in the language, culture, and literature of Latin America (K_K04).
Assessment criteria
Teaching methods: seminar consisting of two parts: a lecture-style historical and literary introduction delivered by the course instructor, followed by collaborative close reading and analysis of selected texts; seminar discussion; group work.
Assessment criteria:
– regular reading of assigned texts and active participation in seminar discussion
– oral examination in Spanish
Requirements for passing: a maximum of two unexcused absences is permitted; exceeding this limit results in exclusion from the examination. Regardless of the number of excused absences, attendance at a minimum of 51% of classes is required. Detailed examination guidelines will be provided at the first class.
Practical placement
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Bibliography
Required reading:
1. Latin American Modernismo (poetry, short stories, chronicles): José Martí (selected texts from Ismaelillo and Versos sencillos, selected chronicles) Rubén Darío (selected texts from Prosas profanas and Cantos de vida y esperanza, short stories: El rey burgués, El sátiro sordo, La canción de oro, El pájaro azul, selected chronicles)
2. Latin American Post-modernismo (poetry): Delmira Agustini, Alfonsina Storni, Gabriela Mistral, Adela Zamudio, Porfirio Barba Jacob
3. Novel of the Mexican Revolution: Mariano Azuela, Los de abajo
4. Twentieth-century travel writing: Ada María Elflein, Viaje a Mendoza y al Cerro Pelado
5. Regionalism: Ricardo Güiraldes, Don Segundo Sombra Horacio Quiroga: Hombre muerto, Las moscas
6. Urban novel (origins): Roberto Arlt, El juguete rabioso
7. Avant-garde: Jorge Luis Borges, El idioma infinito; Xul Solar Poetry: Vicente Huidobro, César Vallejo, Pablo Neruda, Oliverio Girondo, Jorge Luis Borges
8. The modern Latin American short story: María Luisa Bombal, Silvina Ocampo – selected short stories
9. Indigenismo: José María Arguedas: La agonía de Rasu-Ñiti, Warma kuyay (Amor de niño), El sueño del pongo
10. Existentialism: Juan Carlos Onetti – selected short stories
Note: The reading list is subject to modification in the course of the semester (by agreement with students).
Notes
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Term 2025Z:
El curso se llevará al cabo en la plataforma Zoom de modo sincrónico ("en vivo", a la hora de clase) con Google Classroom como herramienta adicional. |