This course focuses on the modern Latin American short story, highlighting the development of its literary and cultural traditions. We will explore the evolution of the short story in Latin America throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Our study will examine the various literary styles used by writers during this period and will analyze current trends among contemporary authors. We will delve into genre conventions, literary and theoretical movements, and the works of significant Latin American short story writers, including Horacio Quiroga, Juan Rulfo, Jorge Luis Borges, Elena Garro, Julio Cortázar, Gabriel García Márquez, Amparo Dávila, Rosario Ferré, and Isabel Allende, among others.
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to write their own short stories. We will focus on narrative techniques to better understand how different writers approach issues of plot, character, setting, and theme. Through exercises and a workshop environment, we will apply these principles in practice. The course will be taught in English, and readings will be provided in both English and Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 228 or consent of instructor
T/TH 2:00 pm – 3:20 pm; G18 Literatures, Cultures & Linguistic Bldg.
CRN: 78185
Instructor: Alejandro Ramírez Méndez