Spanish 250 Women and Literature

In the Hispanic World

Professor Sara E, Cooper

scooper@csuchico.edu

Prerequisites

Spanish 104A AND Spanish 105A or Spanish 105B; or faculty permission

Course Description/Objectives

The goal of Spanish 250: Women and Literature in the Hispanic World is to facilitate an in-depth exploration of women's roles in the Spanish-speaking world, especially in relationship to literature. A 3-unit seminar taught in Spanish, with the majority of readings in Spanish, this course will emphasize critical thinking and contemporary theories of literary and cultural criticism. We will read works--by men and women--from various periods, including the Renaissance, the Colonial period in the Hispanic Americas, the era of Independence and nation-forming in Latin America, and the Twentieth Century. We will look at connections and changes through time and across geographical boundaries. The ultimate goal of this upper division course is to engage in scholarly research and discussion of women as literary subjects and writers and thereby to improve in the more advanced skills of reading and oral comprehension, writing, and speaking in Spanish.

The course will involve lecture, reading of primary (literary) texts as well as background or critical texts, discussions in small groups and in Socratic seminars in which priority will be given to informed textual analysis and understanding of the political and cultural context. Students will be required to participate actively in discussions, participate in electronic discussion of topics (on WebCT), participate in oral presentations, and complete a final research paper on a topic agreed upon by student and professor. This project will be presented orally during the final exam period.

Prerequisites: Spanish 104A; 105A or B; 150 or permission of professor

Textbooks/Materials required:

Access to WebCT

Course Reader (Including Pedro Calderón de la Barca: El médico de su honra;

Federico García Lorca: La casa de Bernarda Alba

Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda: Sab

Isabel Allende La casa de los espíritus

Rosario Ferré Papeles de Pandora

For each week, please note that there are required readings and supplemental readings. The supplemental readings may be assigned to a small group or pair for a short in-class presentation; they also will be assigned to any Masters students taking the course for graduate credit; additionally they are recommended as extra background for the extremely motivated student.

GRADING CRITERIA

1. Grades will be assigned as a letter with a numerical value, and there will be no curve. Final grades will be announced after they have been turned in, the week after finals. For any questions about grading *at any time during the semester* please visit office hours.
2. 94-100=A 90-93.4=A- = Superior and Extraordinary

88-89.4=B+ 84-87.4=B 83-80=B- = Above Average, Good work

78-79.4=C+ 74-77.4=C 73-70=C- = Average, Satisfactory work

68-79.4=D- 64-67.4=D 63-60=D- = Meets minimum requirements

Below=F = Doesn't meet minimum requirements

• You must turn in all ASSIGNED WORK by the date and time specified for complete possible credit. For each day late, 10% will be deducted from total possible credit.
• 15% Participation. Both as a method to improve communicative competency and as a way to demonstrate your understanding of the course material, your attendance and participation are vital to your success in this class. An excellent participation grade will reflect that you ask questions, answer questions, contribute actively in-group work, and are well-prepared for the topics covered. Absence or failure to participate will be reflected in your grade.
• 20% Oral Presentations (2). At least twice in the semester, each student will work individually or in a pair or small group to introduce and help direct the discussion of a reading selection for the week. You should prepare questions and commentary that will help the class comment upon the key issues as well as notice and analyze literary style. Try to emphasize connections and ramifications.
• 25% Electronic Essays and Responses (4). Students will write and post short essays that synthesize and analyze readings of topics (on WebCT). The analyses should be approximately 1-2 pages in length, in reasonably fluent Spanish, text specific (mentioning examples or cites from the readings and films) and reflect a critical and reflective approach to the topic or reading. In order to generate more discussion our of class, students will respond thoughtfully and critically to at least one classmate's essay each time. Examples are posted on WebCT.
• 20% Final Project. Students will complete a final written project that demonstrates a deep understanding of the issues covered. There is some flexibility in the format of this project, which may be either a research project or more creative in nature (i.e. producing a documentary film, a web site, or a portfolio of art works). For those who choose a written project, this should be 8-10 pages, include a list of works cited, MLA format, double-spaced, one-inch margins, proofread and spell-checked in academic Spanish. Graduate credit requirements are a 15-20 page paper.
• 10% Oral Presentation of Final Project. Students will come prepared to make a formal and professional presentation of their work and engage in question and answers with their classmates.

ANY PAPER OR OTHER ASSIGNMENT NOT COMPLETED WITHIN THE STATED PARAMETERS OF ACADEMIC HONESTY WILL BE GIVEN ZERO CREDIT. IN ADDITION, THE STUDENT PRACTICING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OR PLAGIARISM MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE OR FAILED IMMEDIATELY OR FURTHER SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AT THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY LEVEL. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY INCLUDES (BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO) APPROPRIATING WEB ESSAYS OR TRANSLATING PROGRAMS TO COMPLETE ONE’S OWN ESSAYS.

Course Topics and Assignments:

Readings and assignments are listed on the day they are due.