Humanities fall classes still available

The humanities department has two classes with openings this fall. If you know a little bit of Spanish and want to learn more, consider COM225, Spanish Language and Culture III. If you are interested in US Latino culture and need a 300+ Humanities class, sign up for LIT380, US Latino Lit. Contact Kate Thompson for more information or permission to register.

COM 225, Spanish Language and Culture III

Prerequisite: COM 126 or consent of instructor. This class is for students with some background in basic grammar and vocabulary, generally two to three years of high school Spanish. (In some cases, a student with more than three years of high school Spanish might want to consider this class, if the high school classes were easy or if a significant amount of time has elapsed. Ambitious students with one year of high school Spanish, or speakers of another Romance language, could also consider taking this class.)

 This intermediate-level class continues with grammar covered in earlier classes (including a review of present-tense verbs, description, comparison, ser/estar, etc.; direct and indirect object pronouns, reflexive verbs, and verbs that work like gustar; other uses of “se;” past tenses and narrating in the past; commands and the subjunctive in noun clauses) and focuses on building vocabulary for discussing broader social and cultural issues (including politics and religion, academic life, work, media and communications, and technology). We read and discuss literary and journalistic texts, and view and discuss short films and videos. Grades are based on exams and quizzes, online workbook assignments, reading and video assignments, compositions, and an in-depth oral presentation on a cultural theme.

LIT 380 Sec 02, U.S. Latino Literature

During recent decades, English-speaking writers of Latin American descent have been among the most active and creative producers of fiction, poetry, and film in the U.S. While writing in English, these authors often focus on issues of bilingualism, biculturalism, and the immigrant experience. What does it mean to have roots in one country and live in another? How does it feel to go to school (and later become an author) in a second language? How does a person of Latino heritage integrate into the dominant culture without losing touch with his or her roots? How does it feel to be economically and culturally marginalized?

In this class, we will explore these themes and more, through short stories, poems, two short novels and three films by Latino writers living and working in the U.S. The works will be studied in a social/historical context, and we will read short background pieces on the various Latino groups in the U.S. and their histories (Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, and Central Americans, and others).

Classes will focus on discussion of the readings, based on questions prepared by students, as well as study guides I will provide; overall, the class will be participatory and interactive. Students will give short presentations on authors covered in the class, including videos when available (and there are some great ones on YouTube). There will be three short (2 page) papers and one longer (4-6 page) paper, focusing on works we have read and relating them to themes discussed in class. There will also be three quizzes and a final exam.

Books:  (Note: If you buy these books at the bookstore, they will be quite expensive. But before you suffer from sticker shock, let me reassure you: all are available used on line for much more reasonable prices! Latino Boom is also available as a rental on Amazon.)

Latino Boom: An Anthology of U.S. Latino Literature, John S. Christie and José B. Gonzalez
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America, Juan Gonzalez
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz
The Guardians, Ana Castillo

Some of the authors included in Latino Boom include:

Short stories: Rudolfo Anaya, Sandra Cisneros, Ana Menéndez, Norma Cantú, Cristina García, Helena María Viramontes, Julia Álvarez, Alba Ambert, Daniel Cano, Abraham Rodríguez

Poetry: Jimmy Santiago Baca, Diane de Anda, Pat Mora, Judith Cofer Ortíz, Gary Soto, Martín Espada, Pedro Pietri,Tato Liviera, Miguel Piñero

Films to be determined, but may include:

Sin Nombre
My Family/Mi Familia
Short Eyes
Real Women Have Curves
Blood In, Blood Out
Piñero