This version of the course guide is provisional until the period for editing the new course guides ends.

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Introduction to Spanish American Literature

Code: 106350 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2504211 Spanish Language and Literature FB 1

Contact

Name:
Alba Saura Clares
Email:
alba.saura@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

This course requires a command of oral and written expression of Spanish equivalent to that obtained at the end of high school. Correct oral and written expression of the language is considered essential and, consequently, errors in spelling and writing will lead to a reduction of points in the evaluation.

Obviously, all the activities, practices and works will have to be original. Total or partial plagiarism, that is, the presentation of non-original material as your own, is not allowed. In the event that the student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the rating of an evaluation act, this evaluation act will be rated 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that may arise from it. In the event that several irregularities are verified in the evaluation acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Objectives and Contextualisation

The course "Introducción a la literatura hispanoamericana" seeks to initiate students in the specific methodology of approach to Hispanic American literature, in its historical periods, the most outstanding theoretical-epistemological transformation processes, as well as in the literary movements that accompany them, their themes and most relevant genres. To do this, a series of coves are proposed in the different literary periods since the arrival of Columbus to the continent and the first writings about him to the current scene.

Objectives:
  • Approach students to the specific methodology of Hispanic American literature and its theoretical-epistemological study frameworks.
  • Introduce students to the main historical periods of Latin American literature.
  • Initiate students in the recognition of the most prominent authors, themes, genres and motifs of Hispanic American literature.

Competences

  • Act in one's own field of knowledge evaluating inequalities based on sex/gender.
  • Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
  • Carry out effective written work or oral presentations adapted to the appropriate register in different languages.
  • Identify the most significant periods, traditions, trends, authors and works in Spanish-language literature in their historical and social context.
  • Recognise the main theories, themes and genres of literature in the different Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  • Use digital tools and specific documentary sources to gather and organise information.
  • Use the methodology and concepts of literary analysis taking into account sources and contexts.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse inequalities due to sex or gender and gender bias in the field of social-historical knowledge.
  2. Analyse literary texts on the basis of the keys of the genre to which they belong.
  3. Apply the basic principles of literary text analysis.
  4. Assess, through the analysis of literary productions, the prejudices and discriminations that may be included in actions or projects, in the short or long term, in relation to certain people or groups.
  5. Carry out basic bibliographic research.
  6. Comment on literary texts using specific methodologies.
  7. Identify primary and secondary sources.
  8. Identify the main gender inequalities present in society through their representation in literary texts.
  9. Identify the main sources of a literary text.
  10. Link a text with its context of literary production.
  11. Organise content clearly and appropriately for oral presentation.
  12. Point out similarities and differences between texts on the basis of relevant theoretical concepts.
  13. Recognise the main periods of Western literary history and their general features.
  14. Situate an author's production in a specific literary period.
  15. Use digital tools to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of Spanish language and literature.
  16. Use the appropriate resources and methodology for an academic work.
  17. Use traditional sources to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of Spanish language and literature.

Content

1.- Stating America: from the mythical foundation to the decolonial perspective.

2.- From Modernism to the poetic avant-garde.

  • 2.1 Rubén Darío, American identity and ivory beauty.
  • 2.2 Alfonsina Storni, the restlessness of the rose bush.
  • 2.3 Oliverio Girondo, experimentation and literary games.

3.- The critical turn: neo-indigenism and the wonderful real.

  • 3.1 The Leyendas de Guatemala by Miguel Ángel Asturias.
  • 3.2 Alejo Carpentier and the return to the seed.
  • 3.4 José María Argüedas and the neo-indigenist exaltation.
  • 3.5 The social perspective of Rosario Castellanos.

4.- The story, Latin American genre

  • 4.1 Horacio Quiroga, the “perfect storyteller.”
  • 4.2 Juan Rulfo, the lyrical desert.
  • 4.3 The ontological fantasy of Jorge Luis Borges.
  • 4.4 The neofantasy of Julio Cortázar.

5. The American boom: from the local to the global.

  • 5.1 Magical realism and the short stories of Gabriel García Márquez.
  • 5.2 The literature of the future: Elena Garro.

6. Violence and memory from the seventies to the 21st century.

  • 6.1 Griselda Gambaro: Say no to violence.
  • 6.2 Mario Benedetti, torture and "de-exile".
  • 6.3 Mariana Eva Pérez: testimony, memory and “children's literature.”

 


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Classes 50 2 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10
Evaluation activities 5 0.2 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10
Type: Supervised      
Preparation of work and study 75 3 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10

The learning of this subject by the students is distributed as follows:

  • Directed activities. These activities are divided into master classes and seminars and classroom practices led by the faculty, in which theoretical explanation is combined with discussion of all types of texts.
  • Supervised activities. These tutorials are programmed by the teacher, dedicated to correcting and commenting on problems at different levels of literary analysis.
  • Autonomous activities. These activities include both time devoted to individual study and production of papers and analytical comments written.
  • Evaluation activities. The evaluation of the subject will be carried out through written tests.

Annotation:Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exam 1 ·35% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10
Exam 2 35% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10
Work 30% 16 0.64 1, 2, 3, 12, 6, 5, 16, 15, 17, 7, 9, 8, 11, 13, 14, 4, 10

The single evaluation will consist of the elaboration of 2 exams (exam 1: part 1; exam 2: part 2) that will be carried out jointly in the classroom on the indicated date; in addition, on the same day a work will be delivered on a matter previously agreed with the teacher. The percentage of each test will be distributed as follows:

  • Exam I: 35%
  • Exam II: 35%
  • Work: 30%

The teachers will explain in detail the examination and writing guidelines for the work.

The single evaluation will consist of the elaboration of 2 exams (exam 1: part 1; exam 2: part 2) that will be carried out jointly in the classroom on the indicated date; in addition, on the same day a work will be delivered on a matter previously agreed with the teacher. The percentage of each test will be distributed as follows:

  • Exam I: 35%
  • Exam II: 35%
  • Work: 30%

To pass the subject, in both cases, it is necessary to have taken both exams and delivered the work. An average of 5 must be obtained from all activities to pass. If not, you will have the opportunity to do the revaluation test provided that you have obtained 3.5 on average among all the proves. Students who have not taken one of the three tests will be considered "Not evaluable". Total or partial plagiarism will mean the total failure of the subject. Spelling errors will deduct 0.25 each. A test with more than 10 misses will be suspended.In the event that thestudent carries out any type of irregularity that may lead to a significantvariation in the rating of a certain evaluation act, this will be rated 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that may arise from it. In the event that several irregularities are verified in the evaluation acts of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.

The same method as continuous assessment i unic assessment willbe used.

On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.


Bibliography

BIBILIOGRAFÍA

The most relevant manuals and documents for an approach to Hispanic American literature are consigned. In addition, the teachers will provide a specific bibliography of each topic in class.

 

ANDERSON IMBERT, Enrique. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. México: F.C.E., 1967.

ARACIL, Beatriz, “Sobre el proceso de creación de un imaginario múltiple: América durante el periodo colonial” en Alemany, Carmen y Aracil, Beatriz, América en el imaginario europeo, Alicante: Publicaciones de la Universidad de Alicante, 2009.

BELLINI, Giuseppe. Nueva historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. Madrid: Castalia, 1997.

BURGOS, Fernando. El cuento hispanoamericano en el siglo XX. Madrid: Castalia, 1997.

DUBATTI, Jorge. Cien años de teatro argentino. Buenos Aires: Editorial Biblos, 2012.

ESTEBAN, Ángel. Literatura hispanoamericana. Granada: Comares, 1999.

FERNÁNDEZ, Teodosio; MILLARES, Selena & BECERRA, Eduardo. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana.  Madrid: Universitas, 1995.

GALEANO, Eduardo. Las venas abiertas de América Latina. Madrid: Siglo XXI Editores, 2003.

GOIC, Cedomil. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana.  3 vols. Madrid, Crítica-Grijalbo, 1988.

GONZÁLEZ ECHAVARRÍA, Roberto & PUPO-WALKER, Enrique. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. 2 volúmenes. Madrid: Gredos, 2006.

GRAHAM-JONES, Jean. Exorcising History. Argentinian Theater Under Dictatorship. Lewisburg/London: Bucknell University Presses/Associated University Presses, 2000.

GUERRERO, Isabel & SAURA-CLARES, Alba. La escena y lo real en el siglo XXI. Madrid: Visor, 2024. 

HENRÍQUEZ UREÑA, Pedro. Historiografía cultural hispanoamericana. Madrid: Verbum, 2007.

ÍÑIGO MADRIGAL, Luis. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. 2 Volúmenes. Madrid: Cátedra, 1982-87.

MARTÍNEZ VALDERAS, Jara; SAURA-CLARES, Alba & LUQUE, Diana. Teatro y artes escénicas en el ámbito hispánico. Siglo XXI. Escenas en diálogo. Madrid: Cátedra, 2023. 

MARINI–PALMIERI, Enrique. Cuentos modernistas hispanoamericanos. Madrid: Castalia, 1989.

MENTON, Seymour. Caminata por la narrativa latinoamericana. México, F.C.E.-Xalapa: Universidad Veracruzana, 2002.

MIGNOLO, Walter. “El pensamiento des-colonial, desprendimiento y apertura: un manifiesto”. Revista Telar, nº 6, pp. 7-38, 2008.

MIGNOLO, Walter. “Geopolítica de la sensibilidad y del conocimiento. Sobre (de)colonialidad, pensamiento fronterizo y desobediencia epistémica”. Revista de Filosofía, nº 74, 2013.

MONTERROSO, Augusto & JACOBS, Bárbara. Antología del cuento triste. Barcelona: Edhasa, 1992.

MORA, Carmen de. En breve: estudios sobre el cuento hispanoamericano contemporáneo. Sevilla: Universidad de Sevilla, 2000.

OVIEDO, José Miguel. Antología crítica del cuento hispanoamericano. Madrid, Alianza. Consta de Tres Volúmenes: Siglo XIX: Del Romanticismo al Criollismo, 2001; Siglo XX: Fundadores e innovadores, 1992; Siglo XX: la gran síntesis y después, 1992.

OVIEDO, José Miguel. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. 4 volúmenes. Madrid: Alianza, 2001.

PUPO-WALKER, E. El cuento hispanoamericano. Madrid: Castalia: 1995.

RAMA, Ángel. La ciudad letrada. Santiago de Chile: Tajamar Ediciones, 2004.

SAURA-CLARES, Alba. Teatro Abierto (1981-1985). Resiliencia y utopía d eun movimiento escénico. Madrid: Ediciones Complutense, 2023. 

SAÍNZ DE MEDRANO, Luis. Historia de la literatura hispanoamericana. desde el modernismo. Madrid: Taurus, 1989.

SERNA, Mercedes. Crónica de Indias. Madrid: Ediciones Cátedra, 2018. 

TODOROV, Tzvetan. La conquista de América. El problema del otro. Madrid: Siglo XXI Editores, 2010.

VALCARCEL, Eva. El cuento hispanoamericano del siglo XX: teoría y práctica. Coruña, Universidade: 1994.

 

On the MANDATORY READINGS of each topic, the teachers will make a selection of texts within this general bibliography. It will be previously consigned to the students.

Theme 2:

DARÍO, Rubén: Azul... Cantos de vida y esperanza. Edición de Juan María Martínez. Madrid: Cátedra. Selection.

STORNI, Alfonsina. Antología. Selection. 

GIRONDO, Oliverio. Antología. Selection.

Theme 3:

Selection.

Theme 4:

QUIROGA, Horacio. Cuentos. Ed. Leonor Fleming. Madrid: Cátedra. Selection. 

RULFO, Juan. El llano en llamas. Madrid: Cátedra. Selection. 

BORGES, Jorge Luis: Ficciones. Madrid: Alianza Editorial. Selection. 

CORTÁZAR, Julio: Bestiario. Madrid: Alfaguara. Selection.  

Theme 5: 

GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ, Gabriel. Ojos de perro azul. Madrid: Alfaguara. Selection. 

GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ, Gabriel. Todos los cuentos. Madrid: De Bolsillo. Selection. 

GARRO, Elena. Cuentos completos. Madrid: Alfaguara. Selection. 

Theme 6:

GAMBARO, Griselda. Decir sí. La malasangre. Ed. Rita Gnutzmann. Selection.

BENEDETTI, Mario. Cuentos completos. Madrid: Debolsillo. Selection.  

PÉREZ, Mariana Eva. Instrucciones para un coleccionista de mariposas y Antivisita. Formas de entrar y salir de la ESMA. Selection.


Software

Microsoft Teams.


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed