To familiarize upper-division undergraduate students with the 
major texts and literary movements in Spanish America from the 
Colonial period through the Independence period.  Emphasis will 
be placed onreading a variety of texts and situating those texts 
within their cultural, historical and linguistic context.  Reading 
assignments will be complemented by written and oral assignments,
as well as exams.  Students will be expected to develop their 
reading skills as well as the analytical and research techniques 
necessary to understand, discuss and develop coherent arguments 
about literary texts.

The impact of and the responses to Columbus' encounter of the New 
World; mapping the New World--epostles, diaries and chronicles; 
aspects of "otherness"; epic and chronicle; Enlightenment aesthetics 
in Spanish America; aspectss of "civilization" and "barbarism"; 
the female voice; the concept of "national" literature; revolution 
in literature.