Torture, Inquisition, and Literature

3 units

The course will focus on the theory and practice of torture in the Hispanic world and other countries where the Inquisition flourished: France, Mexico, Peru. Torture manuals will be adduced as well as archival materials. Inquisition trials from Spain and its dependencies will be studied; also historical texts by defenders and opponents of the Inquisition; among them, Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo, Julio Caro Baroja, Haim Beinert, Henry Kamen, Miguel Blazquez Díaz and others. Literary texts by Marcos Aguinis, Carlos Fuentes. Homero Aridjis, Miguel Delibes, Carme Riera, Arturo Pérez Reverte, and others. Students will consult with the instructor to write a research paper. In addition, a short book report is required and will be the basis of an oral presentation.