Tulane University

Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese

SPAN 3130 Intro to Latin

American Culture
Otoo 2016 (T/R 11 12:15)
Prof. Aroldo Nery
Newcomb Hall 431
anery@tulane.edu
Horas de consulta:
T: 9 10:30 AM
R: 12:30 2 PM

Description and Objectives

An introduction to the cultures of Latin America from ancient times to the present, with
emphasis on the modern period. Critical analysis of written texts, visual arts, and cinema
will guide the investigation of past and current polemics of Latin American history,
geopolitics, social movements, and cultural heterogeneity. N.B. Enrollment is restricted
to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in SPAN 3040.
Results
The courses primary objective is to acquire basic knowledge of Latin Americas cultural
and social history as well as fundamental tools of textual analysis in preparation for more
advanced courses in Hispanic literatures and cultural studies. Development of oral and
written skills in Spanish will also be accented through critical readings, class discussions,
and the extensive practice of expository prose writing.
Texts
All readings will be posted on Blackboard in a timely fashion throughout the semester.
Additional readings may also be provided on Blackboard or sent via email. * Students
must print out hard copies of readings and bring them to class--the use of computers in
lieu of paper copy is not permitted.
Requirements
1. Participation (15%):
Students are expected to complete assigned readings and exercises prior to class and
participate actively in classroom discussions. Grades will be based on the regularity and

trenchancy of class participation; they will be lowered for absences or tardiness, passive
attendance, or use of English in class. Pop quizzes might be given on daily readings, the
results of which will contribute toward the participation grade.
Attendance is mandatory, and there will be no make-up assignments due to unexcused
absences. Any absences, with the exception of those justified with a written notice from a
doctor or relevant administrator will adversely affect the participation grade. Personal
trips, non-emergency medical appointments, and extra-curricular events do not constitute
excused absences. More than two unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your
final grade average by two points for each absence. If a class must be missed, students
should communicate with a classmate and inform themselves of any upcoming
assignments. N.B. Use of cell phones, laptops, or other technological diversions in class
is prohibited.
2. Discussion Questions (10%):
Students will hand in (when indicated) two questions for class discussion (1/2 page max.,
hard copy, double-spaced). Questions should address elements of the readings or films
that you find intriguing, polemical, or questionable, and that you would like to discuss in
class. Late submissions not accepted.
3. Presentations (10%):
Students working in groups of 4 will prepare a 10-15-minute (each) presentation in which
they orient class discussion of a relevant topic or cultural object. Presentations should
include a brief introduction to the material, followed by discussion questions or activities
based on a handout of original design.
4. Reports and Quizzes (10%): Students will be asked to write 2 reports based on selected
material. These should be 1 2 page-long, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point
(or equivalent size), and carefully edited for clarity and style. *Hard copy onlyno
electronic submissions accepted. Also, quizzes will be given on daily readings.

5. Essays (25%):
Two short essays of 2-3 pages in length on a critical issue relating to the course. These
should be typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point (or equivalent size), and
carefully edited for clarity and style. * Hard copy only--no electronic submissions
accepted.
6. Exams (30%; 10% mid-term, 20% final):
A take-home mid-term and final exam will test skills of critical analysis and familiarity
with key historical and cultural terminology and concepts. Format will consist of
identifications and short essays. *Mid-term: 2 3 pages in length, based on a previously
given question. Final: a 3 5 research paper, based on a topic of your choice. Proper
citation required (MLA).

Honor Code: Violations of the honor code including plagiarism or use of unauthorized
materials for examinations are not tolerated and will be reported. For university policy
and code of academic conduct: http://tulane.edu/studentaffairs/upload/AcademicPolicies3.pdf
Grading Scale:
A = 93-100
A - = 90-92

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

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

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

I. Introduccin Geografa
Semana 1:

Martes, 30 de agosto
Introduccin
Jueves, 1 de septiembre
Yepes, Amrica Latina: un concepto difuso
Quiz: Los pases y sus capitales

II. Y antes qu, quin(es), cmo? Algunas culturas precolombinas

Semana 2:

Martes, 6 de septiembre
Los Incas y Los Aztecas
Lectura: Manuscrito de Huarochiri (fragmentos)
Jueves 8 de septiembre
Los Maya
Lectura: Popol Vuh (fragmentos)

Semana 3:

Martes 13 de septiembre
Otras culturas y perspectivas
Lectura: Society Against the State Pierre Clastres (PDF fragmento)
Lectura recomendada: Amerindian Perspectivism and Non-Human
Rights Idelber Avelar (buscar en google)

*Traer dos preguntas de discusin

III. La produccin de un continente
Jueves 15 de septiembre
La conquista
Lecturas: Diario de Cristbal Coln (fragmentos) y La invencin de
Amrica, Edmundo Ogorman (fragmentos)

Semana 4:

Martes 20 de septiembre
Primeros encuentros
Lecturas: La gran Tenochtitln de Hernn Corts, y El eclipse, de
Augusto Monterroso
Jueves 22 de septiembre
Primeros encuentros
Lectura: Malintzin, la lengua de Bolvar Echeverra (PDF)
Film: La otra conquista / The Other Conquest
Usted es responsable de ver el film antes de la clase.

*Entregar informe sobre Corts/Monctezuma (1 2 pgs, doble espacio, mrgenes de una

pulgada)
Semana 5:

Martes 27 de septiembre
Exploracin
Lectura: La relacin de Cabeza de Vaca (fragmentos), y El entenado
(fragmentos), de Juan Jos Saer.
Film: Aguirre. The Wrath of God.
Usted es responsable de ver el film antes de la clase.

*Traer dos preguntas de discusin

Jueves 29 de septiembre
frica en Amrica
Lecturas: Palenques de negros en Cartagena de Indias (fragmentos), de
Borrego Pl; y Africans in Spanish American Colonial Society (PDF),
de Frederick Bowser
*Traer dos preguntas de discusin
Semana 6:

Martes 4 de octubre
frica en Amrica
Lecturas: Ay ay ay de la grifa negra, de Julia de Burgos; Balada de los
dos abuelos, de Nicols Guilln; y Afro-Hispanic American Literature,
de Vera Kutzinski (PDF)

*Entregar informe sobre Aguirre. The Wrath of God

IV. De las independencias a las construcciones nacionales. Siglo XIX
Jueves 6 de octubre
Emancipaciones polticas
Lecturas: La carta de Jamaica, de Simn Bolvar y The Origins of
Spanish American Independences de John Lynch (PDF)

Semana 7:

Martes 11 de octubre
Construir la nacin
Lectura: Imagined Communities (fragmentos) de Benedict Anderson y
Facundo (fragmentos) de Domingo Faustino Sarmiento

*Entregar borrador Ensayo 1

Jueves 13 de octubre
*No hay clase Fall break.
Semana 8:

Martes 18 de octubre
Imaginarios intelectuales
Nuestra Amrica de Jos Mart y Discurso pronunciado en la
instalacin de la Universidad de Chile de Andrs Bello

*Entregar Take-home Exam.

V. El siglo XX
Jueves 20 de octubre
Estados Unidos en Hispanoamrica
Lecturas: La United Fruit Co. de Neruda; A Roosevelt de Daro; y
Mster Taylor, de Monterroso
Semana 9:

Martes 25 de octubre
Las repblicas bananeras
Lectura: Cien aos de soledad (fragmento) de Garca Mrquez
Videos: Journey to Banana Land y Arbenz and the CIA, Guatemala
1950s

*Entregar versin final Ensayo 1

Jueves 27 de octubre
La revolucin mexicana
Lecturas: Los de abajo (fragmentos), de Mariano Azuela
Film: Vmonos con Pancho Villa
*Usted es responsable de ver el film antes de la clase.
*Traer dos preguntas de discusin
Semana 10:

Martes 1 de noviembre
Proyectos de modernizacin.
Lecturas: La Casa Arana en El Putumayo. El caucho y proceso
esclavista, Roberto Pineda Camacho; y Latinoamrica: las ciudades y las
ideas (fragmento), de Jos Luis Romero

Video: La gran inmigracin. Historia argentina del siglo XX. Cap. 5

Jueves 3 de noviembre
La revolucin cubana
Lecturas: Tengo de Nicols Guillun
Cancin: Y en eso lleg Fidel de Carlos Puebla
Semana 11:

Martes 8 de noviembre
La revolucin nicaragense
Lectura: El zoologico de pap de Lizandro Chvez
Cancin: Cancin urgente para nicaraga, de Silvio Rodrguez

*Traer dos preguntas de discusin

Jueves 10 de noviembre
El 11 de septiembre, Chile
Films: La batalla de Chile (partes 1 y 2); y Machuca
Semana 12:

Martes 15 de noviembre
El 8 de abril de 1948, Colombia Negociaciones de paz
Lecturas: Espuma y nada ms de Hernando Tllez; Vivan los
compaeros, de Carlos Arturo Truque; y Las guerras de la paz
(fragmento), de Olga Behar

*Entregar Ensayo 2
Jueves 17 de noviembre
Neoliberalismo + Guerra contra las drogas
Lectura: A Brief History of Neoliberalism (fragmentos) de David Harvey;
y Legalize it all. How to win the war on drugs, de Dan Baum (google)

Semana 13:

Martes 22 de noviembre
La marea rosa. Socialismo en el siglo XXI
Lectura: Negar lo local. La marea rosa en Amrica Latina o qu
queda de la izquierda? de Mabel Moraa.
Documental: South of the border
Jueves 24 de noviembre
Thanksgiving. No hay clases

Semana 14:

Martes 29 de noviembre
Presentaciones
Jueves 1 de diciembre
Presentaciones

Semana 15:

Martes 6 de diciembre
Presentaciones
Jueves 8 de diciembre
Presentaciones

*El ensayo final deber ser enviado por correo al profesor (anery@tulane.edu) el da del
examen final antes de las 12 de la noche.