SPAN 382 - Constructing the Nation

The course focuses on the critical analysis of national stereotypes in literature and in other forms of cultural representation known in many languages as Imagology. The course examines the role that textual artifacts have played in shaping the modern image of the Hispanic nations. These texts are sometimes canonical, highbrow manifestations such as novels, poems, or essays. More often though, they are stereotypes or symbols ingrained in the collective psyche of both the Hispanic and the non-Hispanic people: “toreros,” “gitanas,” “gauchos/as,” “guitarras,” “sombreros,” “flamenco,” “samba,” “salsa,” “fútbol,” and many more. As cultural myths, their representational power has proven to be incredibly enduring beyond the time of their formation. This course satisfies the Area 2 requirement for the Spanish major. Prerequisite(s): SPAN 307 or consent of the instructor. Generally taught alternate years. (4 Credits)