Central America: 21st-Century Literature & Culture

3 Credits

Explores the discursive construction of Central America in the 21st century, from banana republic to northern triangle. While we study issues of violence, crime, feminicide, impunity, corruption, migration, human and drug trafficking, and climate change, we will moreover focus on people's struggles for equality, human rights, environmental justice, food security, healthcare, education, and employment in the region. We seek to understand the root cause of local and global conditions in Central America as well as the creative and resilient ways that Central Americans respond to them. Texts include novels, short stories, cronicas, news, films, photography, and other re/sources. Course format consists of lectures, discussions, group work, short essays, presentations, and examinations. Students should expect to participate in a community engagement project. Taught in Spanish and discussions in Spanglish.