Fall 2007

GRADUATE COURSES IN HISPANIC STUDIES

(Course information subject to change)
(Cross-reference with Department Roster)

Comparitive Literature 512
Literary Theory
W 9-12

Spanish 600
History of the Spanish Language
Prof. Espòsito
T 4:30-6:30

This course will explore three main issues:

(1) The external history of the Spanish language: How do linguists read history? What cultural and historical events are important for the development of the Spanish language? As linguistic historians, we shall follow a canonical chronology that will examine pre-Roman influences, Iberian Latinities, the linguistic fragmentation of the Peninsula, medieval attempts at standardization, the rise of the Academy, and the linguistic challenges of the Autonomías. As critical readers, we shall interpret these linguistic cultures in light of their foundational ideologies and how they contribute towards the creation of a national philological imaginary.

(2) The internal history of the Spanish language: How did Latin become Spanish? Can a sound change be innocent and free of ideological meaning? What is the role of causation in linguistic change? What features make Spanish unique in comparison to the other Iberian languages? To what end do we claim uniqueness?

(3) Reading other "Spanishes"

Spanish 630
Alfonso X: Word and Image
Prof. Solomon
M 2-5

This seminar explores the extraordinary literary and artistic corpus of Alfonso X, the Castilian king who flourished during the second half of the thirteenth century. The course begins with a detailed study of Alfonso's scientific, historical, and legal writings, followed by an extensive study of Alfonso's most celebrated work, Las Cantigas de Santa María. We will work at length on the visual aspects of Alfonso's work, focusing on 200 sets of miniatures that accompany the musical notation and text of the opulent Escorial "Codice rico." Background readings include: St. Augustine's Confessions and El libro de Alexandre. Works from the Alfonsine corpus include: Estoria general, Estoria de Espanna, Los siete partidas, Cantigas d'escarnio e maldicer, Libros del Saber de Astronomía, and Las Cantigas de Santa María.

For more information, please go to the course webpage.

Spanish 684
Galdós and the modern novel (1886-1900)
Prof. López
W 5:30-7:30

In this course we will concentrate on Galdós’ narrative production following Fortunata y Jacinta. Starting in 1886, the author considered that Zolaesque Naturalism no longer offered an acceptable model for the Spanish novel. Hence, he explored different narrative forms, and some of the titles from this period will be considered later the most accomplished expressions in his literary production. First, we will read the titles that give expression to what is known as Galdós’ “spiritualism”, that is, his interest in the values of the individual as s/he has to face the impositions of society (Miau, Ángel Guerra, La loca de la casa). Then, we will move to the four novels considered as the author’s accomplishment in developing the literary format of Spanish “spoken style” (Las novelas de Torquemada) as they become a representation of the self-made man who needs to overcome enormous odds and conventions in the realization of his destiny. Finally, we conclude with the titles that will inspire the Spanish modernist and avant-garde movements in the first two decades of the twentieth century (Nazarín, Halma, Misericordia, Casandra). An oral report, a bibliography, class participation, and either a (take home) exam or a research paper will decide final grade.

All the texts required for this course are accessible on the internet.

Spanish 690
Indios, Gauchos y Negros
Prof. Salessi
T 2-4

Through the study of mayor works by, among others, José Hernandez, Hilario Ascasubi, Clorinda Matto de Turner or Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, the class will explore the tensions, alliances or wars between Latin American oral and written cultures of the Nineteenth century.  Especial attention will be given to the forms of representation of gauchos, Afrocaribbeans and indigenous populations of the Andean region, and the history of the “progressive” authors speaking for, about and in place of subaltern subjects.

Spanish 697
The Advent of New Latin American Literature
Prof. de la Campa
R 3-6

The Latin American literary scene has witnessed various shifts since the early nineties. The influence of both the boom novel and testimonio began to wane, and along with it went the fascination with “magical realism” that metamorphosed into a worldwide genre during the 1980’s. New concerns and sensibilities materialized among Latin American writers, giving way to a new scene of literary activity at times dramatized by full-fledged manifestos such as "Crack" (Mexico) and “El País McOndo” (Chile), at times by debates over the roles played by markets and theoretical discourses in the codification and consumption of Latin American literature.

But this new writing goes much beyond those noted claims and proclamations. It includes not only the customary disdain for older modes of writing by new generations, but also a keen interest in a new imaginary mapped significantly beyond the nation that includes debates over the role of Spain and the United States, techno-visual consumption, new layers of marginality, increased awareness of alternative sexualities and a remapped urban imaginary caught up in migration within and without.

What are the claims of diasporic, “lines of flight” nationalist and humanist forms of writing and reading? Are contemporary subjects susceptible to a powerful aesthetic pull beyond deconstruction? Do theorists such as Badiou, Agamben, Virno, Negri and Deleuze bring us past the linguistic turn and the various posts it has imbued? Is there such a thing as an aesthetic of globalization? Can it be studied critically? Does literature play a role in it?

The course will examine both the literature and theory that imbue the literature of writers such as Roberto Bolaño, Alberto Fuguet, Ena Lucia Portela, Rubem Fonseca, Héctor Abad Faciolince, Daniel Mella, Fernando Vallejo, Jorge Volpi, Pedro Juan Gutiérrez, Rodrigo Rey Rosa, César Aira, Rita India Hernández, Pedro Lemebel, Diamela Eltit, Mario Bellatin, Edmundo Paz Soldán, Juan Carlos Botero, Paolo Lins, Rodrigo Fresán, Santiago Gamboa, Washington Cucurto.