El cuento espa–ol contempor‡neo: 1975-presente
(Contemporary Spanish Short-Story: 1975-Present)
Fall 2009
Instructor: Dr. Lourdes ManyŽ
Office: Furman Hall 235 T. Phone: 294-3544
e-mail: lourdes.manye@furman.edu
Office Hours: Mo & Wed 2:00-4:00, or by appointment.
Texts: ¥ Fernando Valls, ed. Son cuentos. Antolog’a del relato breve
( 1975-1993) (Ed. Austral)
¥ Fern‡ndez Cubas, Cristina. Con Agatha en Estambul (1994) (Ed. Tusquets)
¥ Rivas, Manuel. ÀQuŽ me quieres, amor? (1995) (Ed. Punto de
lectura)
¥ Course package in MLL Dept. FH 235 (Ms. Linda Ray)
¥ Other texts provided by professor.
¥Web page: http:/facweb.furman.edu/~lmanye/spanish430Fall09
¥ A good Spanish-English/English-Spanish Dictionary
(Hard-cover recommended):
-Harper Collins
-American Heritage/Larousse
¥A reference Spanish grammar (a second-year textbook)
Learning Facilities and Resources for Students Pertinent to Course:
¥Additional instructional aids such as slides, cassette tapes, videotapes,
computer presentations, realia, etc. will be used by the instructor.
¥Library materials on reserve in the library (articles and books)
¥The Language Resource Center (LRC) in Furman Hall 205 has videos and other
materials which may be of use to you in this course.
Purpose of the Course:
This course will study the emergence of the short-story in Spanish contemporary literature from 1975 to present focusing on themes and narrative techniques authors use, such as the new Spanish society after FrancoÕs dictatorship, the use of memory to recover the past, fantasy versus reality, the use of irony, metafiction, and the role of the reader as creator .
Course Objectives:
1. To guide students in developing their ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret
and evaluate works of literature.
2. To guide students toward an understanding of the development of 20th century
Spanish literature and its connection to historical events such as the Spanish
Civil War, FrancoÕs dictatorship and the transition to democracy from 1975 to the
present.
3. To help students learn more about Spanish culture, politics, history and society
through its literature and other manifestations in art, music and cinema.
4. To acquaint students to literary criticism related to the works studied through
the research done for oral presentations and a final paper.
5. To further reinforce and develop the four basic language skills (listening,
speaking, reading, and writing) as well as to build vocabulary through reading,
writing and discussing Spanish literature.
Evaluation : Your final grade will be determined in the following way and according to this scale:
|
Class participation |
10% |
|
Preparation and assignments |
15% |
|
Oral Presentation |
10% |
|
Museum Activity |
10% |
|
Major Tests (2) |
30% |
|
Final paper |
25% |
Grading Scale:
A+ = 97-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 68-69
A = 93-96 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 67
A- = 90-92 B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 65-66
F = 64 or below
Class Participation:
As with all Spanish classes, this is also a language class, with class discussion and assignments focusing on the history and analysis of literary texts. Participation means coming to class prepared, ready to speak, contribute, answer questions and participate in classroom activities and discussions in a positive way. In class you should speak only in Spanish and encourage your classmates to do so as well. Participation is one of the course requirements and it is factored into your final grade as a 10%. That grade will reflect the number and quality of your comments in class; your level of preparartion for each class; and your contributions to small group work.
Class Preparation and Assignments:
For this course you need to read every night. Students generally are expected to spend twice as much time outside of class in preparation as they spend in class. Therefore, you should plan to study at least two to three hours outside of class to prepare for daily lessons.
This is 20% of your final grade. You must complete the reading assignments before the day they are due so that you are prepared to discuss the contents of the assigned texts in class. Often, I will provide you with reading guides and questions, which you must always prepare before class and write them in a separate piece of paper since I will collect them regularly. We will have whole-class and small-group class discussions in which you are expected to use only Spanish and to share your reactions, comments and thoughts about the tests. You should take notes on your reading, and write down any questions you might have and bring them to class. You should also have a good dictionary (see the section Texts above)to look up any word that it is important for the understanding of a sentence or paragraph.
Late work and absences for tests are not allowed. You will be allowed to make up a test if you are able to provide a note from the appropriate dean certifying that your absence was due to serious illness or other reasons that he/she deems appropriate. Be aware that late work will be subject to significant grade reduction. After three days, no work will be accepted and a grade of 0 will be recorded.
Special Assignments:
1) Museum visit: Towards the third part of the semester we will go to the Greenville Museum of Art and have a guided tour on the works of Andrew Wyeth and Jasper Jones, two very different painters, to see and understand in painting the differences between realistic and abstract representation. We will discuss the similarities and differences between a reader of a short-story and the viewer of a painting, and you will write a response yo one of the paintings in te form of an essay or a short-story.
2) Oral Presentation: Students will present in groups of two an analysis of a critical essay
from the course package or a short story from the works we will be studying in the course and prepare a 10-15 minute presentation. I will provide with a list of possible topics but you can also suggest your own idea and we will discuss it. You should give me the topic of your oral presentation as soon as possible. If you need suggestions, IÕll be happy to help you. In order for the whole class to understand what your presentation is about, please prepare a hand-out that includes your name, title and date of your presentation, an outline, a list of vocabulary and a bibliography of sources you have used. You have to give me this hand-out as well. While giving the presentation you are not allowed to read, but you can follow your outline. You can use materials to enhance or illustrate your presentation. You will be graded on the content and research, organization, presentation, and language (grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation).
The class needs to pay attention and ask questions if the topic is not clear. The content of the oral presentations will be included in the major tests
Attention: there are no make-ups for the oral presentations, unless you present convincing written evidence of illness or any other crisis. If you donÕt show up, and if you donÕt present a written excuse, I will record a grade of zero.
Final paper
For your final paper you can choose one or two of the works of authors we have studied in class, or others after consultation with me. It should be 7-10 pages long, double-spaced. I will provide you with a hand-out with guidelines (minimum requirements, number of sources you need to consult, MLA style, etc). I advise you to schedule one day at the library with a reference librarian in order to get you familiar with search tools available there.
Class Attendance:
It is the responsibility of each student to come to class regularly; therefore, attendance is expected during all class meetings. Since we meet only three times a week attendance is extremely important, otherwise you will miss an important part of the course content. Absences will affect your participation and preparation grade which is 10% of the final grade. A student who has more than two unexcused absences during the term will have his/her final grade lowered accordingly. Each unexcused absence over 2 will cause your final grade to drop by one point. Three tardies will amount to one absence. It is the responsibility of the student to present evidence of illness (a note from the infirmary, for example) or any other type of absence which he or she believes the instructor may consider "excusedÓ. If you have any special situation that will require you to miss several classes you should come to talk to me as soon as possible so that we can deal with it before the end of the semester. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out the next assignment and have it ready; you may wish to have the telephone numbers of several classmates handy so that you can call them for information on assignments when you miss class.
A freshman who exceeds 6 absences or an upperclassman who exceeds 10 absences for any reason (excused or unexcused) will be in violation of the maximum established by the university (see p. 45-46 of the 2009-10 Furman University Catalog) and will be dropped with a grade of "F" as well.
Tests:
All tests will be announced and must be taken on the scheduled day. Major tests can only be taken out of the scheduled time if student supplies a note from the appropriate Dean certifying an excused absence.
Academic Integrity:
Integrity gives the educational enterprise its legitimacy. Honesty, respect, and personal responsibility are principles that guide academic life at Furman, in and out of the classroom. Academic misconduct in any form (plagiarism, cheating, inappropriate collaboration, and other efforts to gain an unfair academic advantage) threatens the values of the campus community and will have severe consequences, such as failure in the course, and/or suspension or dismissal from the university.
If you have any question about what constitutes plagiarism or any other form of academic misconsdiuct, it is your responsibility to consult with me so that you will fully understand what I expect of you in this course. If you have any doubts, ask! You should also be familiar with the Academic Integrity & Plagiarism and Academic Integrity at Furman materials available at www.furman.edu>academics>academic integrity information. FurmanÕs policy on academic dishonesty can be found at:
http://furman_notes.furman.edu/p&p.nsf>Standard>Search>121.5.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who need academic accommodations should contact Donna Taylor, Director of Disabilities Services Office (Phone: 294 2322), in the basement of the Earle Infirmary. After having a conference with her, contact me during my office hours. You need to do this early in the term.
PROGRAMA GENERAL
Este es el programa general del curso y est‡ sujeto a cambios.
26 Introducci—n al curso y presentaciones
28 1975-Transici—n y democracia. Contexto hist—rico (cambio pol’tico, social y
cultural)
*************
septiembre
31 1975-Transici—n y democracia. Contexto hist—rico (cambio pol’tico, social y
cultural)
2 1975-Transici—n y democracia. Contexto hist—rico (cambio pol’tico, social y
cultural)
4 Caracter’sticas del cuento..
*************
7 Labor Day – No hay c;lase
9 Caracter’sticas del cuento.
11 ÒBrasas de agostoÓ, Lu’s Mateo D’ez (Son cuentos)
*************
14 El auge del cuento en la literatura espa–ola desde 1975.
16 ÒSanta B‡rbara benditaÓ, Juan Pedro Aparicio (Son cuentos)
18 ÒFinal absurdoÓ, Laura Freixas (Son cuentos)
*************
21 ÒAlgunos aspectos del cuentosÓ, Cort‡zar
23 ÒLivingstoneÓ, Lu’s Landero (Son cuentos)
25 ÒLa pose’daÓ, Antonio Mu–oz Molina (Son cuentos)
*************
octubre
28 ÒSimetr’aÓ, Juan JosŽ Mill‡s (Son cuentos)
30 ÒFinal absurdoÓ, Laura Freixas (Son cuentos)
2 EXAMEN I
*************
7 ÒImposibilidad de la memoriaÓ, JosŽ Mar’a Merino
9 MIFLC- Conference at Furman U.
*************
12 Cristina Fern‡ndez Cubas
14 Cristina Fern‡ndez Cubas, ÒLa mujer de verdeÓ
16 Cristina Fern‡ndez Cubas, ÒAusenciaÓ
*************
19 C. Fern‡ndez Cubas, ÒCon Agatha en EstambulÓ
21 C. Fern‡ndez Cubas, ÒCon Agatha en EstambulÓ
23 Fall Break – No hay clase
*************
26 La memoria y la bœsqueda de identidad
Manuel Rivas, ÀQuŽ me quieres, amor?
28 Manuel Rivas, ÀQuŽ me quieres, amor?
30 Manuel Rivas, ÒLa lengua de las mariposas?
*************
noviembre
2 Manuel Rivas, ÒLa lengua de las mariposas?
6 Manuel Rivas, ÒLa lechera de VermeerÓ
*************
13 ÒVolverÓ, Carme Riera (fotocopia)
*************
16 ÒAmor de madreÓ, Almudena Grandes (fotocopia)
Entrega del tema del trabajo final
18 ÒA travŽs del tabiqueÓ, Marian Mayoral (Son cuentos)
20 El microrrelato
*************
23 El microrrelato, Lu’s Mateo d’ez
25 Thanksgiving Holidays
27 Thanksgiving Holidays
*************
dicienbre
30 Microrrelatos de la clase
4 Conversaci—n sobre la visita al museo de arte de Greenville.
*************
¥No hay examen final.