Latin American Literature and Film

Module code: SP1031

This module introduces you to the study of film and narrative fiction from Latin America. The written and film texts studied will be from the contemporary and twentieth century periods and will be from a range of countries in the region. The study of the texts will focus equally on their contexts of production, the themes dealt with, and the stylistic approaches of the authors/directors. Introductory lectures will provide background information relevant to the works’ successful analysis, and seminars will deepen your understanding of the chosen texts through activities involving close textual analysis of passages and sequences, round-table discussions and student presentations.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the relevant sociocultural and historical contexts and of the themes explored in the selected cultural productions, as well as an ability to critically analyse these with reference to the stylistic approaches of the authors/directors. In terms of study skills, you will have the opportunity to develop your abilities in research and analytical skills; in recognising, evaluating and applying key critical responses and/or theoretical concepts/frameworks to the topics covered. You will be enabled to improve your writing and presentation skills, practising how to structure a coherent argument in appropriately academic language in both written and spoken formats.

Topics covered

• Identity politics in the societies depicted
• The relationship between individuals, society and the environment
• Issues of social justice
• The relationship between reality and fiction
• The role of myth, dream and fantasy in literature and film
• Approaches to character analysis, narrative perspective and plot