SPAN 5400 - Borderlands

Goals: To reflect on the literal and symbolic power and meaning of borders. To explore the Hispanic experience in the territories along the US-Mexico border through literature written primarily in Spanish by Hispanic writers. Our exploration will focus on the contrasting experiences of Hispanics in the U.S. who are either native to this land, immigrants, or exiles. We will delve into how these contrasting experiences articulate with the intersecting issues of gender, race, class and nationality. For this we will need to understand, for example, the importance iconic female figures such as La Llorona, la Malinche, and la Virgen de Guadalupe have for Hispanic communities inside and outside the U.S. Other culturally relevant symbols, stereotypes, and tropes will also come into play. Ultimately, through readings and film viewing, we will attempt to interpret and understand the cross-cultural Borderlands experiences, bringing into sharp relief the meaning that border and frontier have from the Hispanic perspective.

Content: Readings in Spanish and English from various well-known and little-known Spanish and Hispanic writers from the time of first contact to the present day, as well as essays, newspaper and blog articles and films. Graded material includes tests, oral presentations and a final paper.

Taught: Periodically

Note: All coursework is done in Spanish.

Credits: 4