Illinois State University
The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Dr. James J. Pancrazio
STV 243, 438-3764
E-mail: <jjpancr@ilstu.edu>
web page:http://lilt.ilstu.edu/jjpancr
LAN 233.15 Section 02, STV 230, 12:00-12:50 MWF
Office Hours: 11:00-11:50 MWF and by appointment

Objectives: In this course, students will read and discuss representative works from three major genres: narrative, poetry, and theater. The purpose of the Introduction to Hispanic Literature course is to provide students in Spanish with a basic background for reading both Hispanic literary production and culture and will focus on the development of a method for reading critically. Students will how to learn to identify and discuss: themes, plots and structure, and poetic tropes such as symbols, metaphors, and allegory. For all practical purposes, the readings will be presented through a basic theoretical approach suitable to understanding literature as a product and producer of a legible cultural matrix. By understanding this cultural matrix, students will be better prepared for both interaction with literary/cultural texts as well as interaction in any cultural space where Spanish is spoken.

Virgilio, Carmelo, L. Teresa Valdivieso y Edward Friedman. Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica.

En reserva: Aura and Batallas en el desierto

Recommended Text: An excellent Spanish dictionary. Smaller paperback dictionaries usually help with spelling but don’t provide sufficient background on language usage. Please, purchase a hardbound dictionary that you will use for years to come. Among the better dictionaries are: Vox and the Larousse Concise Dictionary.

Data base on Spanish Poetry: http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/poesia.htm

In-Class Participation 10%
Three Exams 60% (Rubric for Essay Exams)
Final Paper 30%

100%- 91% =A
90%- 81% =B
80% - 71% =C
70% - 61% =D
61% - 00% =F

Participation in class discussions: All students will have the opportunity and the responsibility to participate in class on a regular basis. At random, students will be given the opportunity to respond to an aspect of the theme that the class is discussing. The professor will take notes regarding the relevancy of the response. Willingness to participate, preparedness and creativity will be rewarded at the beginning, but expectations will rise as students become conversant in the material and approach. Students who do not or cannot attend class are unable to participate. They will automatically receive a 0 for that day’s discussion/activity.

Exams: There are three essay exams in this course. One week prior to the exam, the professor will distribute ALL of the possible questions; there will be no surprises. Nevertheless, the topics will require sufficient time to reflect and develop well-thought out and organized answers. Students must use the theoretical concepts discussed in class to compare, contrast and analyze the specific theme and illustrate their responses with sufficient examples. The exams are evaluated by criterion reference standards. This means that there is no curve. (Rubric for Essay Exams)

Papers: Each student will write an eight to twelve page paper on a literary or cultural work. Students are expected to incorporate the critical method outlined in class into the analysis of a series of poems, a novel, or a collection of essays. Further, these papers must: 1) formulate a clear position and argument; 2) provide supporting evidence with citations from the text(s); 3) present ideas in a well-organized format; and 4) play close attention to grammatical accuracy, spelling, format, critical thinking, etc.; 5) be turned in on time. (Sample Paper, Theoretical Concepts of the Narrative, Sample Format, Sample Bibliography and Citation Format).

Computer access: The general rule is, "never turn in a paper without running the spell check!"  Please be aware that since computer use is required for many of our courses, the lab does become crowded, particularly before class. Students who stop in with minutes to spare many not find a vacant computer or printer, and thus may not be able to turn in an assignment. See the policy on Late Work.

E-mail: All students are expected to use their university-issued e-mail address. If students use an alternative address, they should check their university account regularly.

Late Work Policy: Late work will not be accepted. Please do not ask for extensions. Also, no exam, quiz, or activity will be rescheduled in event of absences. Please, do not make travel plans until you have consulted the syllabus, and your mid-term and final exam schedules. Exceptions to this policy will be made only in cases of serious illness, injury or other serious emergencies, of which verification must be provided.

Attendance: No points are awarded for attendance; it is expected! If students miss class for any reason, they are responsible for getting caught up on their own. Further, students not attending class are unable to participate and thus will automatically receive a 0 for that day.

Office hours: I actually enjoy the opportunity to speak with my students when they are not having problems! Drop by whenever you wish.

University Disability Policy: Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TTY).
 

Tentative Schedule of Activities and Readings

(All readings are in Aproximaciones, unless otherwise indicated)

1-18 Introduction to the Course

1-20 Método Crítico: Matiné y El eclipse (copias del profesor)

1-23 Continuación . . . (El eclipse)

1-25 Matiné

1-27 Ricardo Palma, La camisa de Margarita

1-30 Jorge Luis Borges, El etnógrafo

2-1 Julio Cortázar, La noche boca arriba

2-3 Juan Rulfo, No oyes ladrar los perros

2-6 Marco Denevi, El dios de las moscas

2-8 Cristina Peri Rossi, El museo de los esfuerzos inútiles

2-10 Elena Poniatowska, El recado

2-13 Cristina Peri Rossi, El museo de los esfuerzos inútiles
2-15 Elena Poniatowska, El recado
2-17 Introduction to Hispanic Poetry
2-20 Primer Examen: sobre el cuento corto
2-24 Garcilaso de la Vega, Soneto I and Soneto XXIII
2-27 Santa Teresa de Jesús, "Vivo sin vivir en mí"
2-29 Santa Teresa de Jesús, "Vivo sin vivir en mí"

3-2 San Juan de la Cruz, "Llama de amor vivo"
3-5 San Juan de la Cruz, "Llama de amor vivo"
3-7 Luis de Góngora, "Soneto CLXVI"
3-9 Luis de Góngora, "Soneto CLXVI"
3-19 Francisco de Quevedo, "Salmo XVII"
3-21 Lope de Vega, "Rima humana CXCI"
3-30 Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, "A él"
4-2 José Martí, "Si ves un monte de espumas"
4-6 José Asunción Silva, "Los maderos de San Juan"
4-9 Rubén Darío, "El cisne"
4-11 Vicente Huidobro, "Arte poética"
4-13 Examen sobre la poesía
4-16 Película: Como agua para chocolate
4-18 Película: Como agua para chocolate
4-20: Película: Como agua para chocolate
4-23 Carlos Fuentes, Aura: capítulos I_II
4-25 Carlos Fuentes, Aura: capítulos III_IV
4-27 Carlos Fuentes, Aura: capítulos V
4-30 El ensayo: Introducción
5-2 Eugenio María de Hostos (Puerto Rico): «El cholo»
5-4 Rosario Castellanos (México): «Y las madres, ¿qué opinan?» Entrega del trabajo escrito