1Chicano Literature.

BTAN3012MA, BTAN4206OMA

Agustín Cadena
agustincadena@yahoo.com
Tel.+204090081

Format: seminar, 2 hours; graded.

Place: Rm 55
Time: Wednesdays 12:00 – 14:00
Office Hours: Wednesdays: 16:00 – 18:00 hrs.

Description of course
The aim of the seminar is to offer students a comprehensive view of Chicano/a
experience and voice in contemporary U.S. literature. The first half of the semester
situates the Chicanos/as in their historical and sociopolitical context and explores
symbols, images, iconic figures, and myths of ancient Mexican culture that not only re-
surface but also shape the literary works that we will discuss in class. The second part
shifts to the close reading of selected works by major Chicano and Chicana writers and
will discuss the cultural effects of losing the homeland and the accompanying complex
processes of identity negotiation, central to the signification of their works. Authors
selected for the course include Rudolfo Anaya, Sandra Cisneros, Cherrie Moraga,
Helena María Viramontes, and Gina Valdez.

Course requirements:
The reading assignments are kept as reasonable as possible. Students will be expected
to attend class faithfully, to keep up with the readings, and to come to class prepared
with questions and comments for discussion. The classes will be conducted in an
atmosphere in which the instructor and the students take time to discuss readings and
share their insights.
In the first meetings, the instructor will give introductory lectures on several
topics, out of which the students will choose one for a ten-minute oral presentation, plus
a different one for a research essay. Both topics will be related to what was seen in
class, and they have to be approved by the teacher before the student starts working on
them.

Response paper:
Students are required to write a 300-word response paper on each of the literary works
discussed in class.

Research Paper:
An analytical paper of 2000-2500 words on any topic included in the syllabus or
approved by the instructor. Format: 2,5 cm margins, Arial or Times New Roman (12)
double spaced, full and correct citation, alphabetical works cited (MLA Style). The cover
sheet must also contain the following statement: “Hereby I certify that the essay
conforms to international copyright and plagiarism rules and regulations,” and also the
signature of the student.
Students are free to choose their sources, but they are required to cite at least
three books, book chapters and/or journal articles of academic standard, such as
ProQuest, JSTOR or EBSCO.

In-class presentation:
Two/Three 10-15 minute talks on a syllabus topic assigned or approved by the
instructor. Students are required to illustrate their presentations with audiovisual
material, and strongly advised to speak without notes as much as possible.

Final test:
It will be an in-class paper involving the topics and reading material discussed in the
semester.
Class Attendance and Participation:
Students should not miss more than three classes under any circumstances. Tardiness,
early departures, and/or disruption of the class will not be accepted. If you have a
compelling reason for arriving late or leaving early, make sure you speak with the
instructor about the problem. If you regularly cut the beginning and/or end of the class
sessions, it can add up to full-class time absences. Each absence counts as one point
reduction in the overall achievement. In the case of a longer absence (either due to
illness, or official leave), the instructor and the student will come to an agreement on
how to solve the problem.

Grading:
Students are informed that the quality of their written and spoken performance will count
significantly toward their final grade.

Attendance and participation: 10%

Response Paper: 10%
Presentations: 20%.
Research Paper: 30%.
Final test: 30 %

Week-by-Week Description of Course:

Class 1. February 9: Orientation: course introduction and assignment of topics. Lecture:

Latino, Hispanic, Mexican American, Chicano: The difficulty of finding an accurate term.
Class 2. February 16: The Californios. Origins of the Chicano Movement: The Bracero
Program, César Chavez and the United Farm Workers. The Chicano Movement in the
present. Chicanas and the struggle for gender equality.
Class 3. February 23: Aztlán, La Raza, Cuauhtémoc, Emiliano Zapata, La Catrina and
the Día de Muertos, “5 de Mayo”.
Class 4. March 2: Chicano identity icons: Mexican legends that have become Chicano
icons: The Virgin of Guadalupe, La Malinche, La Llorona, LaXtabay.

Class 5. March 9: Chicano Literature: Early and Late Cannnons.

Class 6. March 16: Chicano Literature: Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima. Discussion
Presentation on the author.
Class 7. March 23: Chicano Literature: Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima. Discussion.
Presentation on the novel.
Class 8. April 6: Chicano Literature: Sandra Cisneros. Presentation on the author.
Discussion: “Woman Hollering Creek”, “Never Marry a Mexican”, “Eyes of Zapata”.
Class 9. April 13: Chicano Literature: Sandra Cisneros. Presentation on the work.
Discussion: “Woman Hollering Creek”, “Never Marry a Mexican”, “Eyes of Zapata”.

Class 10. April 20: Chicano Literature: Helena María Viramontes. Presentation on the
author. “The Moths”, “The Long Reconciliation”, “Neighbors”.
Class 11. April 27: Chicano Literature: Helena María Viramontes. Presentation on the
work. “The Moths”, “The Long Reconciliation”, “Neighbors”.
Class 12. May 4: Chicano Literature: Poetry.
Class 13. May 11:Final test. Reception of research papers.

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