Module Identifier SP30510  
Module Title SPANISH AMERICA 2-LITERATURE AND SOCIETY IN ARGENTINA  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Mr Roger Mills  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite (Normally) Eligibility for entry to Level 3 Spanish.  
Course delivery Lecture   12 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   4 Hours  
Assessment Continuous assessment   Essay 2000-2500 words   30%  
  Exam   2 Hours Written exam. 2 essays in 2 hours   70%  

Brief description


A brief introduction to Argentine society, followed by the detailed study of three representatives but contrasting authors: Jose Hernandez, Jorge Luis Borges and Manuel Puig.


Argentina is perhaps the most European of all Latin American countries as a result of mass immigration and Europeanising policies adopted in the second half of the nineteenth century. This module offers a brief introduction to Argentine society, followed by detailed study of three representative but contrasting authors. Hernandez's Martin Fierro was a defence of the local gaucho against the consequence of change, while Borges and puig reflect in their different ways the cosmopolitan of twentieth-century Argentina. It is an advantage, but not a prerequisite, to have taken module SP20510


Syllabus


Week   1-3   The Anglo-Argentine Alliance, 1852-1930; Argentine under 1946-55; Dictatorships and Democracies, 1955-92
   4-6   J Hernandez, Martin Fierro
   7-9   J L Borges, Prose fiction: Emma Zunz
   10-12   Manuel puig, Boquitas pintadas

Learning outcomes


By the end of the module students will:


1) have an insight into major trends of Argentine history with particular references to the Anglo-Argentine Alliance and Peronism;
2) be able to relate key literary texts to their historical, social or cultural background;
3) be able to explian and evaluate literary texts with greater critical awareness
4) have had further developed skills in making
   a) oral presentations
   b) writing essays

Reading Lists

Books
Jorge Luis Borges. El Aleph. Alianza
Jorge Luis Borges. Ficciones. Alianza
Jose Hernandez. Martin Fierro. Catedra
Manuel Puig. Boquitas pintadas. Seix Barral