2005-2006 SPAN 457 A1: Post-Dictatorship Culture in the Southern Cone  

Instructor: Dr. Victoria Ruétalo
Office: Arts 209 E
Telephone: 492-6766	 	Fax: 492-9106
E-mail: victoria.ruetalo@ualberta.ca

Time: T, R 11:00-12:20 pm
Place: ED 170
Office Hours: T, R 12:45-1:45 pm or by Appointment
Course Website: www.ualberta.ca/~vruetalo

Course Prerequisites: 

SPAN 321 or SPAN 322 and an additional *3 in Spanish at the 300-level, excluding 300 or 306.

Course Description and Objectives:

This interdisciplinary cultural studies course will focus on cultural production (literature, film, music, performance, etc.) Resulting form the most recent military dictatorships in Chile (1973-1989), Argentina (1976-1983), and Uruguay (1973-1985). We will analyze a series of theoretical questions and phenomena proper to post-dictatorship culture: memory and trauma, exile and ‘insile,' links between political violence and sexual difference and the use of allegory.

Texts:

Eltit, Diamela. Los vigilantes. Santiago: Editorial Sudamericana, 2001.
Peri Rossi, Cristina. La nave de los locos. Barcelona: Biblioteca del bolsillo, 1995.
Piglia, Ricardo. La ciudad ausente. Barcelona: Editorial Anagrama, 2003.
SPAN 457 Selected Readings. Course pack available at U of A Bookstore.

Required Notes:

1. "Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar." (GFC 29 SEP 2003).

2."The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University." (GFC 29 SEP 2003)

Grade Distribution:

Term Work

80%

Final Exam

20%

Total

Term Work: 

Participation

20%

Oral Presentation

20%

Reaction Paper #1

10%

Reaction Paper #2

10%

Final Paper

Notes: 

Class attendance is important and thus it is to the benefit of the student to attend class prepared to contribute to discussions, make comments, and ask questions. This will make the learning experience more enjoyable for all of us. Throughout the semester there will be in-class assignments, group work and discussions to complement the professor's lectures.

Each student will hand in two reaction papers of two to three typewritten pages in length. The topics will be given in advance by the instructor. The purpose of these assignments is to demonstrate the student's ability to express him or herself critically in written form. Reaction Paper #1 will be due on October 4, 2005. Reaction Paper #2 will be due on October 27, 2005.

Each student will have to hand in a final term paper on a topic discussed with the instructor. The purpose of this paper is to show how the student grapples with the material discussed in class, and his/her ability to take a critical position on an important issue in cultural studies relating to the post-dictatorship in the Southern cone. Essays will be ten to twelve (10-12) typewritten pages in length as well as contain bibliography and notes in correct format. The essays will be written in Spanish and will be due on December 6, 2005.

Oral presentations will be scheduled throughout the course. Each student will present an article assigned to the class and open the discussion for the day. Presentations should be clear and short (15 minutes is the maximum length). Since these presentations are dealing with complex theoretical articles students must prepare well in advance and be familiar with the material. Once a student signs up for a presentation the student is responsible for presenting on the assigned date.

There will be a final exam in the course. This will test the student's comprehension and grasp of the material as well as the student's ability to take that knowledge and apply it in a discussion of certain related topics. The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday December 20, 2005 at 9:00 am.

If you have any questions and/or problems I am available during my office hours. If for some reason you need to see me at another time please contact me to make an appointment.

I hope we all have a happy and enjoyable semester! J

MLCS Grading Scale:

The percentage system will be used to mark all essays and the examination. When the final mark for the course is calculated, the percentage average will be converted to a grade point.

The following is a table of percentage equivalents to the grade point system used: