SPAN 497-002 Short Stories and Film Shorts in Spanish

This course will feature short stories by some of Spain and Latin America's most vibrant modern narrative voices. Special attention will be given to the mechanics of suspense, cultural context, conceptions of “the real” and the fantastic, social critique, the play of language, and commentary on the human condition. We will also discuss a series of film shorts chosen as thematic companion pieces to the stories. Brief reaction papers, creative writing assignments, presentations, and active participation will be privileged over exams and research essays.