HUM4611 Current Issues in Latin American Fiction and Film
4 Advanced Liberal Arts Credits
Latin American society, politics, and economics have undergone dramatic transformations over the last fifty years. In this seminar, we will study fiction and films that examine the changing political and cultural landscapes of these countries. Beginning with the Latin American “Boom” in the 1960s and ‘70s and continuing to the present, we will study a wide range of short stories, novels, plays and films that demonstrate the innovations and rich contributions of contemporary Latin American writers and filmmakers. How do these works explore critical questions of identity and meaning within Latin America and in a more global context? How do they portray and problematize vexing questions surrounding dictatorships and their aftermath, power and poverty, drug trafficking, violence, and migration? In what ways can they inform our understanding of the human condition more broadly? This advanced liberal arts elective fulfills the 4600-level graduation requirement. It also helps satisfy requirements for the following five concentrations: Global and Regional Studies; Identity and Diversity; Justice, Citizenship and Social Responsibility; Literary and Visual Arts; Social and Cultural Studies. Any works originally in Spanish will be taught in (English) translation.
Prerequisites: 3 Intermediate liberal arts courses (CVA, LVA, HSS, CSP, LTA in any combination)