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Sullivan 109
Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-7:30pm |
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of Latin American and US Latino literatures through representative works by key literary figures from the pre-Colombian period to the present. Chosen texts exemplify the epistolary genre, the novel, the short story, drama, poetry, and the testimonio, and represent the most important literary movements and/or currents in the region. This writing intensive seminar attempts to place texts within a historical and theoretical perspective.
COURSE GOALS:
This course is designed to help students to appreciate literary genres, become familiarized with the literary movements and main literary figures of Latin America & US Latino Literatures, and to develop writing & oral skills in Spanish to be able to critically analyze literary works.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The following objectives will be measured via essays, oral presentations and participation.
A study of Latin American and US Latino literatures through representative works by key literary figures from the pre-Colombian period to the present. Chosen texts exemplify the epistolary genre, the novel, the short story, drama, poetry, and the testimonio, and represent the most important literary movements and/or currents in the region. This writing intensive seminar attempts to place texts within a historical and theoretical perspective.
COURSE GOALS:
This course is designed to help students to appreciate literary genres, become familiarized with the literary movements and main literary figures of Latin America & US Latino Literatures, and to develop writing & oral skills in Spanish to be able to critically analyze literary works.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The following objectives will be measured via essays, oral presentations and participation.
- Develop & research general historical knowledge about literary movements of Latin America and US Latino Literatures.
- Become familiar with principal literary works and authors from Latin America and US Latino Literatures by reading selections of their work.
- Develop and write a step-by-step researched-thesis paper.
- Learn the main characteristics of literary genres such as poetry, short stories, novels, essays and plays.
- Acquire critical thinking tools for proper literary analysis of each genre.
- Master the MLA Guidelines for writing papers.
- Develop pedagogical skills to teach literature in the classroom with interdisciplinary techniques and up-to-date media and bibliographical sources.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSESSMENT:
Each student is responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up all with all that goes on in the course (whether or not the student is present).
Oral Presentation:
All students will do an oral presentation of no less than twenty minutes and no more than forty minutes. The presentation will take the format of a class and the student will teach us about a subject that will be assigned on the first day. The oral presentation should include:
Each student is responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up all with all that goes on in the course (whether or not the student is present).
Oral Presentation:
All students will do an oral presentation of no less than twenty minutes and no more than forty minutes. The presentation will take the format of a class and the student will teach us about a subject that will be assigned on the first day. The oral presentation should include:
· Basic biographical information about the author
· Historical and literary contextualization of the author’s work
· Explication of why the author is considered important
· Interpretation of the assigned readings that
o Explains why the readings are a good example of the author’s writing
o Summarizes the text and provides some ideas for its comprehension
o Presents a textually supported opinion of the writing
o Presents the class with at least three questions for the class
· Historical and literary contextualization of the author’s work
· Explication of why the author is considered important
· Interpretation of the assigned readings that
o Explains why the readings are a good example of the author’s writing
o Summarizes the text and provides some ideas for its comprehension
o Presents a textually supported opinion of the writing
o Presents the class with at least three questions for the class
The oral presentations will take place throughout the semester. Naturally, the presentation must be in Spanish. (objectives 1, 2, 4, 6)
Abstract:
All students will prepare a ‘working’ abstract for their final paper. The abstract should not be less than 400 words and should contain a carefully constructed thesis statement that focuses on some aspect of Latin American or U.S. Latino literatures. The thesis statement should not be a statement of fact that can be found in an encyclopaedia, but instead an argument that will need to be developed throughout the length of the final paper and with the support of research. The abstract should discuss how you plan to prove your thesis and help you to decide what areas you need to research. The abstract should also include a list of at least three sources that are either books or scholarly articles that you plan to consult during the research. It is understood that this is only the beginning of the research project and the thesis that you ultimately pursue may change. Nevertheless, it is important to make a strong effort early in order to create a successful paper. Because of the fast pace of summer classes this is due on our third meeting (30 May) so make sure to start as soon as possible. The first part of class on 23 May will be dedicated to a visit from the librarian and discussion of the research project. (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Paper Rough Draft:
In order to further develop the research paper you will need to hand in a rough draft of no less than ten and no more than fifteen pages on 18 June. Keeping in mind the calendar, this draft should be as close as possible to the final version as there will not be a large amount of time to rewrite. The draft should meet MLA specifications in regard to citing sources and creating a Works Cited. You should use at least five book and/or scholarly article sources. It is to be typed, double spaced, using a 12pt. Times New Roman font with one inch margins. (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Final Paper:
A research paper of ten to fifteen pages is due on the last day of class (27 June). Your grade will depend on how well you have responded to comments on the rough draft, the strength and support of the thesis statement, how well the thesis is argued throughout the length of the paper, the argument’s logical development, and the employment of quotations and external sources. The paper should meet the same format specifications as the rough draft (see above). (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Attendance:
Every missed class is the equivalent of being absent from a week’s work. With this is mind, it is important to attend every class. Missing more than one class will adversely influence the attendance grade. This will be calculated using the following scale:
0-1 absences: 20%
2 absences: 15%
3 absences: 10%
4 absences: 5%
5+ absences: 0%
Keep in mind that missing class will inevitably influence your participation grade. (objectives 1, 4, 5, 7)
Participation:
This is a fast-paced and multifaceted class. The calendar requires that two weeks’ work be condensed into seven days. Throughout the semester you will be challenged by a consistent load of reading and the development of the final research paper. In addition, you will need to prepare an oral presentation and actively contribute to our two weekly meetings. Naturally this will require considerable work outside of class at your homes, on the computer, and at the library. The participation grade is derived from how well you meet these challenges. Keep in mind that this is the most important portion of your final grade. (objectives 1-7)
Evaluation:
Oral Presentation: 20%
Abstract and Outline: 5%
Paper Rough Draft: 10%
Final Paper: 15%
Attendance: 20%
Participation: 30%
Abstract:
All students will prepare a ‘working’ abstract for their final paper. The abstract should not be less than 400 words and should contain a carefully constructed thesis statement that focuses on some aspect of Latin American or U.S. Latino literatures. The thesis statement should not be a statement of fact that can be found in an encyclopaedia, but instead an argument that will need to be developed throughout the length of the final paper and with the support of research. The abstract should discuss how you plan to prove your thesis and help you to decide what areas you need to research. The abstract should also include a list of at least three sources that are either books or scholarly articles that you plan to consult during the research. It is understood that this is only the beginning of the research project and the thesis that you ultimately pursue may change. Nevertheless, it is important to make a strong effort early in order to create a successful paper. Because of the fast pace of summer classes this is due on our third meeting (30 May) so make sure to start as soon as possible. The first part of class on 23 May will be dedicated to a visit from the librarian and discussion of the research project. (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Paper Rough Draft:
In order to further develop the research paper you will need to hand in a rough draft of no less than ten and no more than fifteen pages on 18 June. Keeping in mind the calendar, this draft should be as close as possible to the final version as there will not be a large amount of time to rewrite. The draft should meet MLA specifications in regard to citing sources and creating a Works Cited. You should use at least five book and/or scholarly article sources. It is to be typed, double spaced, using a 12pt. Times New Roman font with one inch margins. (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Final Paper:
A research paper of ten to fifteen pages is due on the last day of class (27 June). Your grade will depend on how well you have responded to comments on the rough draft, the strength and support of the thesis statement, how well the thesis is argued throughout the length of the paper, the argument’s logical development, and the employment of quotations and external sources. The paper should meet the same format specifications as the rough draft (see above). (objectives 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Attendance:
Every missed class is the equivalent of being absent from a week’s work. With this is mind, it is important to attend every class. Missing more than one class will adversely influence the attendance grade. This will be calculated using the following scale:
0-1 absences: 20%
2 absences: 15%
3 absences: 10%
4 absences: 5%
5+ absences: 0%
Keep in mind that missing class will inevitably influence your participation grade. (objectives 1, 4, 5, 7)
Participation:
This is a fast-paced and multifaceted class. The calendar requires that two weeks’ work be condensed into seven days. Throughout the semester you will be challenged by a consistent load of reading and the development of the final research paper. In addition, you will need to prepare an oral presentation and actively contribute to our two weekly meetings. Naturally this will require considerable work outside of class at your homes, on the computer, and at the library. The participation grade is derived from how well you meet these challenges. Keep in mind that this is the most important portion of your final grade. (objectives 1-7)
Evaluation:
Oral Presentation: 20%
Abstract and Outline: 5%
Paper Rough Draft: 10%
Final Paper: 15%
Attendance: 20%
Participation: 30%
DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT:
Salem State University is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to providing all reasonable academic accommodations, aids, and adjustments. Any student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid, or adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately so that appropriate provisions can be made. Students with disabilities should provide documentation to and schedule an appointment with the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217. All accommodations, aids and adjustments must be consistent with documentation, and must be approved by that office.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Salem State University assumes that all students come to the university with serious educational intent and expects them to be mature, responsible individuals who will exhibit high standards of honesty and personal conduct in their academic life. All forms of academic dishonesty are considered to be serious offenses against the College community. The College will apply sanctions when student conduct interferes with the College's primary responsibility of ensuring its educational objectives. (From the Salem State College Catalog 2001-2002, pp. 284-285).
EMERGENCIES:
In the event of a university declared critical emergency, Salem State University reserves the right to alter this course plan. Students should refer to www.salemstate.edu for further information and updates. The course attendance policy stays in effect until there is a college declared critical emergency. In the event of an emergency, please refer to the alternative educational planes for this course through the professor’s e-mail and the Blackboard page of the course. Students should review the plans and gather all required materials before an emergency is declared.
Salem State University is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and to providing all reasonable academic accommodations, aids, and adjustments. Any student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid, or adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately so that appropriate provisions can be made. Students with disabilities should provide documentation to and schedule an appointment with the Office for Students with Disabilities, 978.542.6217. All accommodations, aids and adjustments must be consistent with documentation, and must be approved by that office.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Salem State University assumes that all students come to the university with serious educational intent and expects them to be mature, responsible individuals who will exhibit high standards of honesty and personal conduct in their academic life. All forms of academic dishonesty are considered to be serious offenses against the College community. The College will apply sanctions when student conduct interferes with the College's primary responsibility of ensuring its educational objectives. (From the Salem State College Catalog 2001-2002, pp. 284-285).
EMERGENCIES:
In the event of a university declared critical emergency, Salem State University reserves the right to alter this course plan. Students should refer to www.salemstate.edu for further information and updates. The course attendance policy stays in effect until there is a college declared critical emergency. In the event of an emergency, please refer to the alternative educational planes for this course through the professor’s e-mail and the Blackboard page of the course. Students should review the plans and gather all required materials before an emergency is declared.
