UCL - Theory and analysis of Spanish-American literary texts

[ROM2844]

[30h] 5 credits

This two-yearly course is taught in 2011-2012, 2013-2014,...

Teacher(s):

Language: S

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The aim of this course is to help the student acquire a scholarly method to read and analyse literary texts written by one or a few hispano-american author(s) that share a common theme, to analyse their poetics and its context. The theoretical reflexion will be stressed. At the end of the course, the students will be able to read and write essays in the studied field by relying on the literary knowledge they have acquired.

Main themes

The course will examine first how can be defined the topic we can find in a determined corpus : the work of mourning. After, we will analyze hispano-american literary works (poetry : Gelman ; novel : Fuentes) and see how they elaborate the selected topic.

Content and teaching methods

In this class, we will focus our attention on understanding how these literary texts confront and fictionalize the trauma of disappearance and violent death at the same time as the produce a singular meaning for this universal human experience. We will analyse several creative texts pertaining to different genres (historical novel, play and poetry). This course will also include references to cinematic artistic productions and interviews. Class discussion will be encouraged.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : an introductory knowledge of Hispano-American literature and a good proficiency in Spanish (advanced level, B2 + in terms of the Common European reference framework).

Evaluation : Oral and/or written exam. When the course is organised as a seminar, active participation (oral presentation, discussions, term paper) is taken into account.

Teaching material : Secondary literature linked to the topic of the course. Reading of the selected literary works and of critical studies.