Spanish 2540 'Latino' Literatures & Cultures

Spring 2008

(Prepared October 21, 2007; Last Update: Jan 19, 2008)

Term Paper

Instructions

Each student will read on a specific topic of their choosing and submit a paper on the reading. The paper should be both a summary of the reading and also a reflection on the material, considering questions of the sort raised in daily class conversations. The paper should be from 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced, plus the bibliographic information for the readings.

The readings may be a book, or a series of essays/chapters and articles. At least some of the readings must be published; some may be off the web. The readings may cover topics not covered in class, or they may expand upon topics covered in class, with new readings. Topics and the amount of material must be approved by the instructor. Any interlibrary loans should be submitted by the end of the fourth week, so that the library has time to obtain materials for you.

See the Schedule for due dates for the topic selection and for the final paper.

For the Topic Selection, turn in both the topic and a possible bibliography that you will be reading. If you need help developing the bibliography and finding reading material for your term paper, please see me or the Reference Librarian (2nd floor, Library).

Your oral presentation will be based on this term paper.

Topics

Possible Topics include:

• Nuyorican Literature/Art/Music (general, or specific examples);
• Chicano Literature/Art/Music (general, or specific examples);
• Cuban Literature/Art/Music (general, or specific examples);
• other 'Latino' Literature/Art/Music
• Bilingual Education Programs for 'Latinos';
• Political Organizations serving 'Latinos';
• 'Latinos' as Voters;
• 'Latinos' as considered in collections of articles;
• Cuban Exile Politics
• Closed Borders and Immigration

If you are interested in literature, important 'Latino' writers include, in no particular order:

• Julia Alvarez
• Denise Chávez
• Sandra Benítez
• Sandra Cisneros
• Ana Castillo
• Sylvia López Medina
• Gustavo Pérez-Firmat
• Ana Méndez
• Oscar Hijuelos
• Julia Alvarez
• Roberto Quesada
• Virgil Suárez
• Nicholas Mohr
• Judith Ortiz Cofer

Specific literary works include (available at UMD or in my office) (there are many more; feel free to suggest something else):

• González, Ray, ed. Mirrors Beneath the Earth: Short Fiction by Chicano Writers. Willimantic, CT: Curbstone Press, 1992.
• _____, ed. Currents from the Dancing River: Contemporary Latino Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. San Diego: A Harvest Original, Harcourt Brace, 1994.
• Hernández Cruz, Víctor, Leroy V. Quintana and Virgil Suárez, eds. Paper Dance: 55 Latino Poets. NY: Persea Books, 1995.
• Hernández-Gutiérrez, Manuel de Jesús and David William Foster, eds. Literatura chicana 1965-1995: An Anthology in Spanish, English, and Caló. NY: Garland, 1997.
• Huerta, Jorge, comp. Necessary theater : six plays about the Chicano experience. Houston, Tex. : Arte Publico Press, 1989.
• Kanellos, Nicolás, ed. Short Fiction by Hispanic Writers of the United States. Texas: Arte Público, 1993.
• _____. Herencia: The Anthology of Hispanic Literature of the United States. Oxford U. Press, 2002.
• Olivares, Julián, ed. Cuentos Hispanos de los Estados Unidos. Houston: Arte Público, 1993. (in Spanish)
• Sandoval-Sánchez, Alberto and Nancy Saporta Sternbach. Puro Teatro: A Latina Anthology. Tucson: U. of Arizona Press, 2000.
• Suárez, Virgil and Delia Poey, eds. Little Havana Blues: A Cuban-American Literature Anthology. Houston: Arte Público Press, 1996.

I own a variety of literary anthologies, and works by many of these authors. You are welcome to look through my books and borrow anything not in our library. There also is information in the library:

• Chicano Literature: REF / PS / 153 / M4 / T7 / 1985x; REF / PS / 153 / M4 / C46 / 1985
• Chicano Writers:
  • Francisco A. Lomelí & Carl R. Shirley, eds. Dictionary of Literary Biography. Vol. 209. Chicano Writers: Third Series (Detroit: Gale, 1999). REF / PN / 6010.5 / D5 / v. 209
  • Francisco A. Lomelí & Carl R. Shirley, eds. Dictionary of Literary Biography. Vol. 209. Chicano Writers: Second Series (Detroit: Gale, 1992). REF / PN / 6010.5 / D5 / v. 122

Sample Term Paper (will be linked later)

"The Familia in Ti" - KH

Grading

The grade for your term paper will be based on timeliness of turning in topic and paper, on the quality of ideas and writing, the depth of critical thought in the reflection section, and the bibliography.