SPAN 309 Taking Laughter Seriously: Humor in Latin American Cultures and Literatures
How do Latin American artists use humor in their artwork? How does humor affect readers' perceptions of reality? How does humor become at once an aesthetic experience and a tool of resistance and political criticism? This interdisciplinary course will explore expressions of humor in Latin America with special focus on the Southern Cone's cultures and literatures. By analyzing the use of laughter as a pliable tool of subversion and conservatism, we will study different functions and scopes that have shaped humor in culture and literature during the 20th century. This course strives to enhance students' understanding of the Southern cone cultures through analysis of short stories, essays, poetry, comic strips, and films. Readings will include texts by Pablo Neruda, Macedonio Fernandez, Felisberto Hernandez, Alejandra Piszarnik, Julio Cortazar, Juan Carlos Onetti, and Cesar Aira. A Final research paper is required. Fulfills Humanities and literature requirements.
Prerequisite
SPAN 300