SPECIAL SUBJECT Global Studies and Languages 21F.S01 Spring

SPECIAL SUBJECT
Global Studies and Languages
21F.S01
Spring 2015
http://Stellar.mit.edu/S/course
Modern Mexico: 20th/21st Representations of Mexico City's Urban Life Through Literature,
Visual Arts and Film.
Section:
7:00-8:30 pm; MW in 14N-217.
Instructor: María Luisa Martínez
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Wednesday 5:00-7:00 pm or by appointment.
Required Books (available at the COOP)
1. Pacheco José Emilio. Las batallas en el desierto. México: Era, 2011.
2. Tenorio-Trillo, Mauricio. I Speak of the City: Mexico City at the Turn of the Twentieth Century. 2.
Chicago: University of Chicago, 2012. Print.
3. Enrigue, Álvaro. Hipotermia.Barcelona: Anagrama, 2005.
4. Francisco Goldman. Interior Circuit. New York: Grove Press, 2014.
Readings: Short stories, poems and articles. Available on the Stellar Course site.
Films:
Buñuel, Luis. Los olvidados (The young and damned), 1950.
Bolado,Carlos. Tlatelolco, verano del 68 (Tlatelolco, Summer of 68), 2012.
González Iñárritu, Alejandro. Amores Perros (Love's a Bitch), 2001.
Canana Films. Revolución. 10 cortos (Revolution), 2010.
Enrollment limits and language requirements Class discussions, readings and audiovisual materials
are mainly in Spanish. Limited to 18 students. Prerequisite: One intermediate subject in Spanish.
General description:
The goal of this course is to offer a general introduction to 20th and 21st century literature and cultural
production about Modern Mexico. Emphasis will be placed on the way intellectuals and artists have
presented the changes in Mexico City's urban life, and how these representations question themes and
trends in national identity, state control, globalization, and immigration. Throughout the course, we will
introduce a variety of mainly contemporary Mexican writers and visual artists whose works (novels,
poems, crónicas, short stories, films, paintings) deal primarily with Mexico City's changing social
landscape. In addition, the most recent border crossing artistic expressions will also provoke a
comparison between other urban experiences, such as New York, Washington or Tijuana.
Through critical discussion and frequent writing assignments, this class will improve student’s ability
to write clear, coherent and meaningful expository prose.
Evaluation/grades
Grading is on the basis of frequent relatively small evaluations rather than on one or two major hurdles:
1. Class attendance and participation in class discussion sections: 30%
Your presence and active participation are essential in each and every session. Participation means the
following:
a) Reading the assigned readings for the week; thinking about them prior to coming to class, and
engaging in lively discussion during sections. Simply showing up will not be sufficient!
b) Serving as discussion leader at least once during a session over the course of the semester. This
includes two components: first, you will be asked to write a critical “response essay” of the text(s) for
the week in question. The response essay should be no more than 1 single-spaced page in length and
should not recapitulate the content of the readings; rather you should briefly summarize the main
arguments or issues raised in the texts and then raise questions for further discussion in session.
Second, you will be in charge of leading part of the discussion session of the day. You will call on your
peers; pose questions to them, and the like.
Unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final class grade. For every two (2) unexcused
absences there will be a 5% reduction of the final grade. Additionally, more than six (6) unexcused
absences will result in an "F" in class participation. Exceptions require a letter from a medical doctor, a
dean's excuse, or other extraordinary circumstances. In case of questions or anticipated problems,
please do not hesitate to contact your instructor.
Tardiness: Students are expected to come to class in time. Three (3) late arrivals will count as one
absence.
2. Short response essays: 15%
Through the semester you will complete 3 short response essays about the assigned readings. In one
double-spaced page you will:
a) Write one or two paragraphs in which you will present your hypothesis or thesis about an aspect of
the assigned readings.
b) Write the body of the response essay; here you will present the arguments that support the point 'a'
based on a textual criticism or a theoretical argument.
Each short response essay should be handed in at the beginning of the class discussion in which the
assigned readings will be discussed.
3. Final essay first draft 15%
You will present a draft of your final project, which should include, at least
a) The topic that you are planning to discuss on your final paper
b) One or two paragraphs in which you will present your hypothesis or thesis
b) An outline
c) A bibliography
4. Final essay final draft 30%
The paper should not be shorter than 7 pages. It should be original and well documented. Topics should
be closely related to the class. The paper will be evaluated in terms of originality, the quality of the
research, and clarity. The paper is due on the last day of class. All written assignments will be doublespaced and submitted in Arial 12 font.
5. Final debate participation 5%
On March 30 each student will be assigned one of the topics discussed in class during the semester, and
will have to prepare it for a class debate. Further instructions will be given.
6. Oral presentation of your final project 5%
Each student will present the topic and discuss main aspects of his/her final essay work during the last
day of class. Further information will be given.
Grading: all grades are based upon a traditional ten-point scale. Students are not in competition with
each other; each student will receive the grade he or she earns.
Academic integrity: As a student in this course you are expected to complete your own work, to write
your own assignments and abide by MIT’s ACADEMIC INTEGRITY by policies.
There is no Final Exam.
Course Schedule and Readings
Week 1
Wed. 2/4.
Week 2
Mon. 2/9
Wed. 2/11
Week 3
Tues. 2/17
Introduction and Presentation of the Course.
A General Cartography of Mexico City's Urban Landscapes and History.
Assignments:
Read. Nestor Garcia Canclini. “What is a city.” (Stellar).
Amanda Holmes. “Introduction.” City Fictions (Stellar).
Mauricio Tenorio. “Final Word.” I Speak of the city.
Octavio Paz. “El pachuco y otros extremos.” El laberinto de la soledad (Stellar).
Conceptual Tools to Approach Mexican Urban Culture.
Assignments:
Read. Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera. “La novela del tranvía” and “Un peso falso.” Manuel
Gutierrez Nájera (Stellar).
Ángel del Campo. “El inocente”and “El fusilado.” Selección de crónicas
(Stellar).
Francisco Zarco. “Los transeúntes”, “El crepúsculo de la ciudad” and “México
de Noche” Ensayo literario (Stellar).
Gretton Thomas. “Posada and the 'Popular': Commodities and Social Constructs
in Mexico before the Revolution.”(Stellar).
Lookout. José Gudalupe Posada selection of illustrations on Stellar.
1880: Signs of the Metropolitan Development and Political Dissidence.
Assignments:
Read. Octavio Paz. “De la independencia a la revolución”. El laberinto de la soledad
(Stellar).
Almanza Huesca Beatriz: “La entrada de los ejércitos revolucionarios a la ciudad
de México (1913-1915).” (Stellar).
Martín Luis Guzman. “Camino de México.” El águila y la serpiente (Stellar).
The Revolution Arrives to the Capital. Monday Scheduled of classes to be held.
Assignments:
Read. Mauricio Tenorio. “On 1910 contrasts” and “interiors” I Speak of the city.
Mariano Azuela. “Anuncio en línea desplegada.”(Stellar)
Salvador Novo. El joven. (Stellar).
Wed. 2/18
Week 4
Mon. 2/23
Wed. 2/25
MARCH
Week 5
Mon. 3/2
Wed. 3/4
Week 6
Mon. 3/9
Contrasts in México City's 20's.
Assignments:
Read: Carlos Mosiváis “Vasconcelos y el nacimiento cultural.” Historia general de
México. (Stellar).
Mauricio Tenorio. “In and around Mexico City” and “The brown Atlantis” I Speak
of the city.
Alejandro Ugalde. “Renacimiento mexicano y vanguardia en el Nueva York de
entreguerras.” Las artes plásticas y visuales en los siglos XIX y XX. (Stellar).
Lookout. The Mexican school of painting selection of paintings on Stellar.
Cultural Nationalism, Avant Garde and Urban Spaces.
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Monsiváis: “De los murales libidinosos del siglo XX”,”La década de
1940”,“La década de 1950.” Apocalipstick (Stellar)
Efrain Huerta: “Declaración de odio”, “Declaración de amor”, “Los hombres del
alma.” Poesías 1935-1968. (Stellar).
Herrera Petere J. El indio enigmático. (Stellar).
Vidrio Beltrán L. El cigarro .(Stellar).
Mexico City. The Biter Taste of Progress (1940-50) (Part1).
Assignments:
Read. Tuñón, Julia. “El espacio del desamparo. La ciudad en el cine institucional de la
edad de oro y en Los Olvidados de Buñuel.” (Stellar).
Mauricio Tenorio. “Transparency” and “India” I Speak of the city.
Watch. The film Los olvidados (The young and damned).
Mexico City. The Biter Taste of Progress (1940-50) (Part 2).
Assignments:
Read.“Mi nombre es Ixca Cienfuegos”, “Gladys García”, “El lugar del ombligo de la
luna”, “Ciudad de los palacios”, “Rodrigo Pola” and “La región más transparente
del aire.” La región más transparente. (Stellar).
Carlos Fuentes's Comprehensive Gaze of the City.
Read. José Emilio Pacheco. Las Batallas en el desierto.
Armando Epple. “De Santa a Mariana: La ciudad de México como utopía traicionada.”
(Stellar).
Listen. From the band Café Tacuba, the song las batallas.
A Modern City. Place of Memory and Dystopia.
Assignments:
Read. Elena Poniatowska. Selection of texts. Todo empezó el domingo. (Stellar).
Jorge Ibargüengoitia. Selection of texts. Instrucciones para vivir en México. (Stellar).
Wed. 3/11
Week 7
Mon. 3/16
Mon. 3/18
Strolling Mexico City's Emblematic Urban Spaces and Popular Culture.
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Monsiváis. Selection of texts. Días de Guardar. (Stellar).
Watch. The film Tlatelolco, verano del 68 (Tlatelolco, Summer of 68).
Tlatelolco and the 60's.
Assignments:
Read. José Agustín. Selection of texts. Tragicomedia mexicana. (Stellar).
Juan Villoro. Selection of texts. Tiempo transcurrido. (Stellar).
Post Tlatelolco Mexico City. The Decomposition of a Comprehensive Gaze.
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Monsiváis. “No sin nosotros.” Los días del terremoto 1985-200.
(Stellar).
Elena Poniatowska. Selection of texts. Nada Nadie. Las voces del temblor.
(Stellar).
Prepare for the debate.
Week 8
Mon. 3/23
Wed. 3/25
Week 9
Mon. 3/30
APRIL
Wed. 4/1
Week 10
Mon. 4/6
Spring break recess.
Spring break recess.
D.F. 1985: Horror, Solidarity and Destruction
Class debate
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Monsiváis: “Parábola de las imágenes al vuelo”,”Prólogo”, “La hora de la
identidad acumulativa” and “¿Qué foto tomaría usted de la ciudad
interminable?” Los rituales del caos. (Stellar).
Juan Villoro. Selection of texts. Los once de la tribu. (Stellar).
Juan Villoro. “El vértigo horizontal. La ciudad de México como texto.”
(Stellar).
Listen. From the band Café Tacuba the song. La chilanga banda.
Crisis, Democratization and Dispersion (Part 1).
Assignments:
Watch. The film Amores Perros, 2000.
Martín Barbero, Jesús. “The City. Between Fear and the Media” Citizens of Fear.
Urban Violence in Latin America. (Stellar).
Crisis, Democratization and Dispersion (Part 2).
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Fuentes. Selection of texts. Agua quemada. (Stellar).
Watch. Short Film Tienda de Raya. Mariana Chenillo.
Wed. 4/8
Week 11
Mon. 4/13
Wed. 4/15
100 Years of Revolution.
Assignments:
Read. Carlos Fuentes. Selection of texts. Frontera de Cristal. (Stellar).
Charles Bowden. Selection of texts. Juarez. El laboratorio de nuestro futuro.
Lookout. Eloy Tarcisio, Gustavo Monroy y Nahum Zenil selection of work in Stellar.
NAFTA and Mexico City Decentralization.
Assignments:
Read. Luis Humberto Crosthwaite “Marcela y el Rey.” (Stellar).
Ignacio Sanchez Prado. “El sublime objeto de la frontera.” (Stellar).
Watch. Short film “Lindo y Querido.”Patricia Riggen.
Short film “La 7th y Alvarado.” Rodrígo García.
Northern Cities vs Mexico City (Part 1).
Assignments:
Read. Heriberto Yepez. Selection of texts. Cuentos para oír y huir al otro lado.
(Stellar).
Heriberto Yepez. On 'hybrid. (Stellar).
Élmer Mendoza. Selection of texts. Firmado con un clínex. (Stellar).
Lookout. Leonardo Martínez (Leomar) section of work in Stellar. (Stellar).
You have to submit the first draft of your final project on Wednesday, 22.
Week 12
Mon 4/20
Wed 4/22
Week 13
Mon 4/27
Wed 4/29
Week 14
MAY
Mon 5/4
Patriots Day Recess.
Northern Cities vs. Mexico City (Part 2).
Assignments:
Read. Álvaro Enrigue, Hipotermia.
Lookout. Gabriel Orozco's selection of work on Stellar.
Taking Distance from the City and Coming Back (Part 1).
Assignments:
Read. Álvaro Enrigue, Hipotermia.
Taking Distance from the City and Coming Back (Part 2).
Assignments:
Read. Francisco Goldman. Interior Circuit.
Carlos Monsiváis: “El vigor de la agonía (la ciudad de México en los albores del
siglo XXI).” (Stellar).
A Global View of Mexico City (Part1).
Assignments:
Read. Francisco Goldman. Interior Circuit.
Wed 5/ 6
A Global View of Mexico City (Part2).
Assignments:
Read. Roger Bartra. Selection of texts. (Stellar).
Week 15
Mon. 5/ 11
Oral Presentations.
Wed. 5/13
Oral Presentations.

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