Magical Realism

Catalog description

Overview of the formal qualities and political valences of magical realism in the Spanish-speaking world. We will trace this phenomenon throughout the 20th century via selections or complete works by Alejo Carpentier, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Isabel Allende, and Alberto Fuguet, with secondary readings by Wendy Farris and Georg Lukacs, among others. As a gateway course, one goal is to provide students with a focused introduction to the métier of literary criticism. The course, taught in Spanish, is open to intermediate and advanced Spanish speakers. Students are encouraged to collate with English translations. Additionally, students may enroll in the related course SPANLANG 121 "Concurrent Writing Support" for one-on-one language learning. Emphasis is on style and diction, and on preparing, writing, and revising essays on related topics.