Summer 2004, 17 May to 10 June
Culture of Latin America through Literature and Film
History 404-01
M – Th, 8:15 - 10:15
Administration 336

Dale Graden
Admin 305 A
telephone: 885-8956
email: Graden@uidaho.edu
www.class.uidaho.edu/Graden

This course will focus on the cultures of Latin America through literature and film. Hence, we will read three novels along with a personal memoir, and see several films and documentaries. Given the geographic reality of the Americas and the influence of the United States in the region in the 20th and 21st centuries, relations between Latin America and the US are noted.

Please be sure to attend the class every day. We will be a group of about 13 persons, which is an ideal size to sit in a circle and discuss our ideas and interpretations. Please be ready to discuss. Your ideas and interests are welcome and appreciated.

There will be three (3) essays of two to five pages (2-5 typewritten, double-spaced and stapled pages) due on Monday 24 May, Tuesday 1 June and Thursday 10 June. You are welcome to choose your topic about which you would like to write. Each essay is worth 25 points, and your presence and involvement in the course worth 25 points.

Readings

Marnie Mueller, Green Fires Curbstone Press ISBN 1880684594
Marc Cooper, Pinochet and Me: A Chilean Anti-Memoir Verso ISBN 1859843603
Carlos Fuentes, The Death of Artemio Cruz Farrar, Straus and Giroux ISBN 0374522839
Carlos Eire, Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy Free Press ISBN 073246411

Week one Ecuador Amazon

Reading: Mueller, Green Fires 
recommended is Joe Kane, Savages
recommended is Judith Kimerling, Amazon Crude

Week two Chile

Monday 24 May: essay number one is due

Reading: Cooper, Pinochet and Me

Week three Mexico

Monday 31 May no class: Memorial Day

Tuesday 1 June: essay number two is due

Reading: Fuentes, The Death of Artemio Cruz

Week four Cuba

Thursday 10 June: essay number three is due

Reading: Eire, Waiting for Snow

Films

Ecuador and Amazon Basin

"Trinkets and Beads"
"Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice"

Chile

"Missing"
"Death and the Maiden"
"Obstinate Memory"

Mexico

"The Crimes of Father Amaro"
"Traffic"
"Like Water for Chocolate"
"Lone Star"
Interview with Carlos Fuentes

Cuba

"Memories of Underdevelopment"
"After Night Falls"
"Strawberry and Chocolate"
"Sacrificio: Who Betrayed Che Guevara"
"Havana"