California State University, Chico

Spanish 443: Hispanic Novel – Fall 2004

M 4:00-6:50 (TRACS# 15248)

 

Professor:        Dr. Rony Garrido                                                         Telephone: 898-4501

Classroom:      PLMS 210                                                                   Office: Trinity Hall 136

Office Hours:  T 1:00-3:00pm &W 11:00am-1:00pm                         E-mail: rgarrido@csuchico.edu

(or by appointment)                                                    

 

Prerequisites: SPAN 301; SPAN 341 or SPAN 342; or faculty permission.

 

Course Description:

This course will focus on the study of modern narrative in the Hispanic world.  We will read, discuss, and analyze representative novels from Latin America and Spain, exploring their relevant topics and how they relate to literary movements and to each author¹s socio-historical context.  We will also read and discuss critical and theoretical texts about these novels. 

One of the main goals in the course is to engage the students in active and critical analysis of literary works, so they can gain understanding of the intricate historical, cultural, and artistic connections at different periods of time in literary history.  Furthermore, it is hoped that with the formal study of the narrative literary genre, the students will come to a deeper appreciation of the creative process, which in turn can lead to a more profound level of self-reflection and understanding of our place in the world.  In order to achieve these goals, the course will include extensive reading, class and group discussion, WebCT discussion, analytical writings, oral presentations, and films

 

Texts: 

 

Requirements:

 

Attendance: Provided that this course only meets once a week, it is vital to attend all class sessions for the entire period.  No absences are permitted (exceptions can be made in case of documented excused absences due to medical emergency, death in the immediate family, and required court appearance).  3.5 % will be deducted from your final grade per missed class-hour.  Consequently, if you miss an entire session your final grade will be automatically lowered one letter grade.

 

Participation and preparation:  Active participation in every class activity is required for full credit in this category.  Participation points cannot be made up.  Each student¹s participation grade will be based upon consistent involvement during the class sessions.  During each class the student is expected to ask and answer questions, participate in group discussions, oral presentations, etc.  Preparation includes turning in any homework assigned by your professor on the day it is due and it also includes comprehension-check quizzes (controles de lectura), therefore it is important to read the assigned materials prior to class.  Reading unrelated material or doing homework for another course during class time is considered a violation in participation and preparation; every time this happens, it will be equivalent to one missed class-hour.

 

Disciplined daily reading: Extensive reading is required in this class, approximately 100 pages per week.  Therefore, it is extremely important to distribute the reading throughout the week.

 

Academic Honesty:  Students must adhere to university regulations regarding academic honesty.  Any violation will result in a failing grade, either on a quiz, examination, or essay.  In extreme cases, the violation may result in expulsion from the university.

 

Course Etiquette:  Electronic devices, such as cell phones and beepers, must be disconnected during class.

 

Group presentations: Groups of 2-3 students will present information on a scholarly article of their choice.  This article must focus on one of the novels included in the course.  Groups and dates will be assigned the second week of classes.  Each report should present the group¹s reflections on the critical article.    Copies of the article must be given to everyone the week prior to the presentation.

 

Exams: There will be two midterm exams and a final exam that will evaluate the students¹ knowledge on the material discussed in class.

 

Final essay:  This critical essay should be 6-8 pages in length, double spaced, 12-point font, and with 4 bibliographical references: 3 from books and scholarly articles, and one from the Web.  This essay will present information on a novel of student¹s choice, from a list of possibilities presented by the professor.  The essay should include a brief summary (no more than 200 words) and a thorough analysis of the assigned novel, including pertinent information about the author and the content of the novel, relevant historical background of the time period represented in the literary production and/or the actual period in which it was published, and the literary movement to which the novel belongs.

Reflections:  You will be writing eight reflections throughout the semester in WebCT.  For Reflections 1, 3, 5, and 7, you will write on the novel for that day.   However, for the other reflections, you will respond to topics brought up by one or more of your classmates.  In each entry, you should write at least a good paragraph (1/2 page). If you want to write more, you can.

You will be graded on completion, effort, quality of discussion, and grammar. For a minimum passing grade, you have to write the minimum amount. For an excellent grade, you must try to thoroughly address important topics from the novels being discussed. You can write about what is interesting, explaining why you consider that topic relevant.

 

 

Grade:

 

Participation and Preparation               25%

   (includes controles de lectura

    Notas de lectura y reflexiones)

Oral report                                           15%

Final essay                                           20%

Midterm exams                                                25%

Final exam                                           15%

 

 

Definition of Letter Grading Symbols (2000-2003 University Catalog, page 158):

 

A -- Superior Work:                             A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained by relatively few students.

B --Very Good Work:                          A high level of achievement clearly better than adequate competence in the subject matter/skill, but not as good as the unusual, superior achievement of students earning an A.

C -- Adequate Work:                            A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject

matter/skill.  This level will usually be met by a majority of students in the class.

D -- Minimally Acceptable Work:        A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements of the

course.

F -- Unacceptable Work:                      A level of achievement that fails to meet the minimum requirements of

the course. Not passing.

 

 

Tentative Schedule

 

 

Lectura y/o tema  de discusión

Actividad especial (durante clase)

Tarea adicional (para este día)

23de agosto

 

Introducción al curso, Aspectos básicos sobre la teoría de la novela (Copias), asignar fechas para las presentaciónes    

30 de agosto

La familia de Pascual Duarte pp. 1-93, asignar fechas para las presentaciones   Notas de lectura, Publicar reflexión 1

6 de septiembre

DESCANSO POR EL DÍA DEL TRABAJO

 

Publicar reflexión 2

13 de septiembre

 

La familia de Pascual Duarte pp. 94-189

Control de lectura individual, presentación(es)

 

20 de septiembre

Fiesta al nordeste pp. 73-110 (Copias) Lecturas sobre el existencialismo (Copias), video El tunel

 

Control de lectura individual, presentación(es)

Publicar reflexión 3

27 de octubre

Fiesta al nordeste (Copias)

EXAMEN PARCIAL I

Publicar reflexión 4

4 de octubre 

El señor presidente pp. 115-216

 

Notas de lectura

11 de octubre 

El señor presidente pp. 217-322

Control de lectura en grupo

Publicar la reflexión 5

18 de octubre

El señor presidente pp. 323-428

Control de lectura individual, presentación(es)

Publicar reflexión 6

25 de octubre

Del amor y otros demonios pp. 1-66

 

Notas de lectura

1 de noviembre

Del amor y otros demonios pp. 71-129

 

Control de lectura en grupo, presentación(es)

Publicar la reflexión 7

8 de noviembre

Del amor y otros demonios pp. 130-198

EXAMEN PARCIAL II

 

Publicar reflexión 8

15 de noviembre

Maldito Amor pp. 1-67

Entregar ENSAYO

 

22 de noviembre

 

¡Descanso por las celebraciones de Acción de Gracias!

 

29 noviembre

Maldito amor pp. 68-135

Control de lectura individual, presentación(es)

 

6 de diciembre 

Maldito amor pp. 136-203

 

 

 

13 de diciembre

 

EXAMEN FINAL DE LAS 6:00-7:50 PM EN TAYLOR 207