MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge
Students develop a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions), and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) — of Hispanic societies.
Courses Completed: SPAN 306, SPAN 322, SPAN 330
Reflection:
I had the privilege to take an outstanding course SPAN 306 with Dr. Rafael Gómez. I remember that at the beginning of the semester Dr. Gómez asked us if there was such thing as a united Latin America. Though the semester we learned form all the pre colonial civilizations , the conquests, post colonial times, Independence, and revolutions. I will never forget of introductions to Simon Bolivar the liberator and José Marti with his idea of a more unified America. To express the unity of Latin America through fine art, I did a presentation on the different types textiles in Latin America take a look here. Through all this I was able to understand the representation that the vivid colors have though textile art and how they all share the same meanings. This course gave me the historical context to understand the Literature Masterpieces of Latin America course which was lectured by Dr. Judy Cortes. In this course SPAN 322, Dr. Cortes took us on a literature journey through all Latin America all of them indeed were MASTERPIECES like Popol Vuh, La Auracana. We read so many writers Jose Heredia, Sor juana Inez de la Cruz, Bartolome de las Casas, Quiroga, Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Gabriela Mistral, Alfonsina Storni. At the end of the semester we individually had to present a masterpiece that was not covered in class and we had all the semester to read and reflect on it. I did my analysis on La muerte de Artemio Cruz, By Carlos Fuentes.Here I share my analysis presentation, please take a look. Another course that impacted me very much as was an influence in my capstone project was SPAN 330 called Hispanic Testimonials lectured by Dr. Christine Fernández. In this class I was introduced to the Testimonial Literature genre and how these narratives denounce an injustice. We read the testimonies of Maya Quiche woman, Yo me llamo Rigoberta Menchú, The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave by Miguel Barnet and so much more. Truly an inspiring class and eye opening.We also had the privilege to interview a marginalized person from our community that is seeking asylum. Feel free to take a look at our work here. The process was interesting we recorded and interview then transcribed the testimony and finalized it in narrative.