Tulane University

Department of Spanish & Portuguese

SPRING 2016

SPAN 3130 Introduction

to Latin Am erican Culture
Tuesdays & Thursdays 2 - 3.15

Prof. Antonio Gmez

304-B Newcomb Hall
elantonio@gmail.com 862-3407 - [no messages, please]
Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 12.15 1.45
Please schedule in advance: meetme.so/elantonio

Description:
This course introduces the student to Latin American culture from pre-colonial times to
the present with an emphasis on contemporary cultural and societal issues and current
changes on the continent.

Objectives and outcom es:

The course presents students with significant historical and cultural terminology, while
emphasizing the most important cultural and social features, and historical facts of the
region. This course also serves to reinforce the students knowledge of the Spanish
language and their linguistic skills through class discussions and written work. The
students will achieve a comprehensive knowledge of the main social and historical
figures and trends in Latin American societies as well as understand the continents
peculiarities, problems, complexities and heterogeneity.

Required text:
Denis Lynn Daly Heyck and Mara Victoria Gonzlez Pagani. Tradicin y cambio: lecturas
sobre la cultura latinoamericana contempornea. New York: McGraw Hill, 2005.

Procedures, regulations, and evaluation:

1. Attendance, class preparation, participation, homework
Given the size of this class, the kind of readings, and the objectives and expected
outcomes described above, attendance, class preparation, and proactive participation in
the class are essential and will be considered a substantial component of the final grade.
Before each class, students should have:
- adequately covered assigned readings, that is, should be able to comment and
discuss texts;
- written any assigned homework for that class;
- thought of appropriate questions about the readings and the topic of the class.
(asking good questions in class will be considered a fundamental part of student
participation)
Attendance is mandatory. Students cannot continue with the course after four absences.
If students miss three classes and intend to continue with the course, they must
immediately make an appointment to discuss the situation with me. In any case, your
grade for attendance will reflect the actual number of sessions you were present. I will
update your attendance grade periodically on blackboard. If you do not miss any
classes, by the end of the semester your grade in that slot should read 25.
I will not accept late work, and I will not assign extra work to compensate for missed
assignments. No exceptions, so please do not ask.
Unless required by the work during that particular session, no laptops, cellphones or
ipads should be used during class time. Take notes on paper if you need to.

2. Homework and quizzes

I may collect some homework and will take both announced and unannounced quizzes
throughout the semester. These are usually graded pass or fail. Each passed assignment
counts for one point. By the end of the semester, your homework and quizzes grade
will reflect the number of points obtained.
3. Reports
Students will turn in three 3-page reports. Guidelines and key questions for each of
these reports are posted on blackboard.
4. Presentations
Students will prepare several individual short presentations on pre assigned topics. One
of these presentations will consist of a 5-minute summary of the previous class.
There will be one group presentation on food.
5. Exams
There will be a midterm and final exam. They will be based on all the material covered in
class or through the homework. Both exams will be comprehensive.

Grade distribution:
Attendance
Class preparation and participation
Homework and quizzes
Reports
Midterm exam
Final exam
Grades:
A = 95-100
A - = 90-94

B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B - = 80-82

3 x 10

C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C - = 70-72

10 %
10 %
20 %
30 %
10 %
20 %

D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
F = 0-62

Academic Honor Code:

The integrity of the Newcomb-Tulane College is based on the absolute honesty of the entire community in
all academic endeavors. As part of the Tulane University community, undergraduate students have certain
responsibilities regarding work that forms the basis for the evaluation of their academic achievement.
Students are expected to be familiar with these responsibilities at all times.
Please note that violations of the Academic Honor Code will not be tolerated in this class, particularly
plagiarism of any kind or referring to unauthorized material during an examination. I will rigorously
investigate and pursue these transgressions. For further information please refer to:
http://tulane.edu/college/code.cfm
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who need academic accommodation should:
1. Contact and register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For more information, visit
the ODS Web site at: http://www.tulane.edu/~erc/disability
2. Bring official notice to me from the ODS indicating that you need academic accommodation.
This should be done within the first week of class.
Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As
One Wave, Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination based on
race, ethnicity, creed, religion, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as all forms of sexual
harassment, including sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you
know) has experienced or experiences discrimination, domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual
harassment, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available. Learn more at
onewave.tulane.edu. Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as either Strictly
Confidential or Mostly Confidential as explained in the chart below.
Strictly Confidential

Mostly Confidential

Except in extreme circumstances, involving imminent

danger to ones self or others, nothing will be shared
without your explicit permission.

Conversations are kept as confidential as possible, but

information is shared with key staff members so the University
can offer resources and accommodations and take action if
necessary for safety reasons.

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) | (504)

314-2277

Coordinator of Violence Prevention | (504) 314-2161

Student Health Center | (504) 865-5255

Tulane University Police (TUPD) | (504) 865-5911

Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Education

(SAPHE) | (504) 654-9543

Office of Institutional Equity | (504) 862-8083

Tentative Schedule (subject to change) total num ber of m eetings: 25

NB I will provide detailed schedules for each unit in the course.
m
Jan

d
T 12
H 14

T 19
H 21
(T 26)
H 28
Feb

Mar

Apr

Readings
General introduction.
Chapter 1 pp 1-26

Class

What is Latin America? Where is Latin America?

Latin American History Quiz on the map of Latin America
Siete cajas [film]
In-class screening
Siete cajas [film]
In-class screening
Class Cancelled
Info session with librarian Jade Madrid - the Latin American Library
308 Howard Tilton Library bring your laptops.
Chapter 2
First Report Due

T2
H4
(T 9)
H 16
Chapter
T 18
H 23
T 25
Chapter
H1
T3
T8
H 10
Chapter
T 15
(H 17)
Spring Break
T 29
Chapter
H 31
T5
H7
Chapter
T 12
H 14
T 19
Chapter
H 21
T 26

Mardi Gras break

3

4
Visit to MARI
Mid Term Exam
5
Class Cancelled - Second Report Due
6
Presentation on food
7
Tango Lesson - Third Report Due
8
Final In Class Exercise