De un pájaro las dos alas: Cuban and Puerto Rican Narratives

Two West Indian islands—Cuba and Puerto Rico—are christened at the end of the 19th-century as de un pájaro las dos alas, but amidst the turmoil of the 20th-century, the two nations embark on different political and historical paths. This course samples the literary output of these “sister islands” through a series of narratives propelled by the celebration of the indigenous, the denunciation of slavery and poverty, the interrogation of language and culture, as well as the exploration of themes of solitude and existential anguish. Readings will consist of short stories and essays. The class will also view a couple of films. (1 unit)

Required text: Materials in electronic form, to be made available to students upon arrival.