TRINITY COLLEGE - FALL 2007

Department of Language and Culture Studies

Hispanic Studies 312– Foundational Tropes, Contested Tropes: The Gaucho

Profesor Gustavo Remedi

Martes y Jueves 1:15 a 2:30

Oficina: Trinity Commons 218

Teléfono: 297-2148

I. Description and objectives of the course Several debates, themes, images, or tropes seem to constitute a symbolic and discursive core of Latin American cultural history: “The Savage” (“The Good Savage”), “The Mestizo”, “The Gaucho”, “The Captive”, “The Conqueror”, “The Landowner”, “The Tyrant”, (“The Enlightened Tyrant”), “The Matriarch”, “The Immigrant”, “The Developer”. These concepts are, in turn, connected to notions of Europeanness, whiteness, civilization, capitalist development, and modernity. Through the examination of a series of literary texts and documents from different historical periods and literary and ideological movements, this course explores the origins and historical evolution of these recurring and enduring themes and metaphors. The trope of the Gaucho, in particular was originally related to a social type that emerged during the second half of the 18th C. in connection to the openness of the countryside and the wide availability of cattle. The course will explore the uses and meanings of this trope as it appears and reappears throughout the 19th C and 20th C poems, essays, short stories, drama, novels, comics and songs, sometimes as freedom fighter, some as legendary hero, still other times as barbarian and villain.

II. Students' obligations and grades Students must take notes and actively participate in class interpretations and discussions. In addition to the midterm and final exercises students will be assigned two short personal projects which will be the basis for the two formal presentations in class. The first project consists of a bibliographical list and the presentation in class of a review of three critical articles. The second project consists of a presentation in class of personal critical examination and discussion of a text. The Midterm and Final exercises will have to reflect the students' knowledge of the materials covered as well as their understanding of class lectures and discussions. Except for very extraordinary circumstances—which will require a letter from the Dean of Students— absences will not be excused. More than 3 absences lowers the final grade.

Final Grade: Class notes and participation in class 10% Project 1 (Bibliography, Article review) 20% Project 2 (Critical discussion) 20% Midterm 30% Final 20%

III. Course Plan

SEPTEMBER

4 Descripción del curso. El gaucho más allá de la literatura gauchesca El gaucho como tipo social. Los debates ideológicos. La construcción simbólica de la nación. Los mitos fundacionales. El gaucho como símbolo mutante y en disputa.

6 Contextos históricos. Movimientos de ideas y estéticos.

11 Cielitos y diálogos patrióticos, Bartolomé Hidalgo

13 Facundo, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (“Civilización versus barbarie”)

18 (Cont.) La conquista del Oeste / El problema de “la frontera”

20 Martín Fierro, José Hernández

25 El “Martín Fierro”, Jorge Luis Borges

27 Martín Fierro (Cont.)

OCTOBER

2 Juan Moreira, Gutiérrez-Podestá

4 Discusión de The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) Clint Eastwood.

9 TRINITY DAYS (Aprovechar para hacer lecturas atrasadas y prepararse para el EXAMEN DE MIDTERM)

11 Juan Moreira y Josey Wales

16 La gringa, Florencio Sánchez

18 Midterm Exam

23 “Los mensú” y otros cuentos de Horacio Quiroga

25 Los de abajo, Mariano Azuela

30

1 Doña Bárbara, Rómulo Gallego

NOVEMBER

6

8 Don Segundo Sombra, Ricardo Güiraldes

13

15 “Prólogo a Evaristo Carriego”, “El fin” y “El sur”, Jorge Luis Borges

20 “Rodríguez”, Francisco “Paco” Espínola

22 THANKSGIVING VACATION

27 El Herrero y la Muerte, Mercedes Rein y Jorge Curi

29 “Orejano” de Serafín J. García (Los Olimareños), “Guitarrero Viejo” (Alfredo Zitarrosa)

DECEMBER

4 “Un oso rojo”, Israel Adrián Caetano

6 “Inodoro Pereyra, El Renegáu”, Roberto “El Negro” Fontanarrosa

Final exercise due:

December______