Hispanic American Culture I

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-LIN/06
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The goal of the course is to introduce students to the most important social and cultural dynamics of today's Latin America. Various texts and audio-visual materials will be used to facilitate an in-depth analysis and critical reflection on this complex and diverse society.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will become familiar with the diversified cultural expressions of today's Latin America, such as its literature, visual arts and music. By applying culturalist theories and practices to certain historical, social and linguistic contexts, students will be able to explore particular aspects of today's Hispanic world, choosing their own readings on the subject.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to provide a critical overview of Latin American cultural production, with
particular emphasis on contemporaneity. After a necessary historical-geographical introduction on Latin America, we will focus on some crucial historical-cultural nodes:
1. the conquest, with the consequent colonial society and the mestizaje. Sor Juana, the first
feminist and Garcilaso de la Vega, el Inca, the first mestizo writer. Mestizaje and feminism today.
2. the nineteenth century and independence: the concept of "Nuestra América" by José Martí
and his legacy
3. the twentieth century with its revolutions and dictatorships: in particular the Mexican and
Cuban revolutions and the dictatorships of Argentina and Chile
4. Migratory phenomena and Latin American cultural communities in Europe
These stages of Latin American historical, cultural and social development will be studied
through the literary, audiovisual and musical production of the Continent.
Prerequisites for admission
Adequate basic historical-cultural preparation, reading and critical re-elaboration skills.
Since many of the materials used in the classroom will be in the original language, an adequate knowledge of Spanish is also required.
Teaching methods
Lectures will alternate with group work, both in class and to be done independently at home.
Lectures by the teacher and international experts on the topics covered. Group work by students on the topics in the program.
We will start from the texts (literary, audiovisual and musical), which will be analyzed from a
formal and content point of view.
Teaching Resources
Chronicles by Pedro Lemebel, Martín Caparrós, Gabriela Wiener, Leila Guerriero, Esther Andradi
Short tories or fragments of novels by Roberto Bolaño, Juan Carlos Méndez Guédez, Slavko
Zupcic, Rigoberta Menchú, Marylin Bobes, Liliana Colanzi, Mónica Ojeda, Fernanda Trías, Lina Meruane.

All materials will be provided in digital format by the professor.

Required readings:
Pedro Lemebel, Tengo miedo torero. 2001 Seix Barral. Trad. Ho paura torero. Marcos y Marcos
2021.
Ena Lucía Portela, Cien botellas en una pared. Stockcero 2009. Trad. Cento bottiglie sul muretto. Voland, 2006
Gabriela Wiener, Huaco retrato. Random house. 2022. Trad. Sanguemisto. Nuova Frontiera
2023.

Anthology of texts (poetry, essay fragments, chronicles and stories) of the twentieth century
prepared by the professor.

References to audiovisual and musical productions will be provided during the course.
F
or further information:
Teodosio Fernández Literatura hispanoamericana: sociedad y cultura. Madrid. Akal.
Campra Rosalba, América Latina. La identidad y la máscara. Ed. Siglo XXI. t will be available in PDF format on the course platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions posed by the teacher,
interactions between teacher and student and the analysis and commentary of one or more
passages taken from the works in the program. The interview can be held in Italian or Spanish,
at the student's choice. The interview aims to verify:
- knowledge of the texts studied,
- the ability to contextualize geographically, socially and historically the different cultural
phenomena analyzed
- the ability to analyze the textuality and cultural artifacts addressed
- the ability to present
- the precision in the use of specific terminology
- the ability to reflect critically and personally on the proposed themes.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in which case it will be recorded as "withdrawn").
For students attending the course, ongoing tests will be introduced, at the end of the various
modules.
Warnings:
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to promptly contact the professor.
The exam methods for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the professor, in agreement with the competent Office.
L-LIN/06 - LATIN AMERICAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Bolognese Chiara
Professor(s)