SPN 307 - Melodrama in Latin American Culture

Course Units: 1

This course emphasizes melodrama as an invaluable aesthetic tool for understanding diverse cultural productions in Latin America and among the Latine communities in the United States. Through an exploration of literature, music, and audiovisual materials from the 19th century to the contemporary era, our class delves into how Latin American and Latine individuals perceive their emotions and navigate the complex world that surrounds them-exploring themes such as love, identity, sex, marriage, womanhood, and masculinity. Moreover, students will embark on an intersectional examination of melodrama, where gender, class, and race emerge as central facets. This interdisciplinary approach challenges the significance of this aesthetic tool and reinforces its importance in shaping the cultural landscape of Latin America and the Latine community in the US. It sheds light on how political, social, and historical circumstances have influenced the use and understanding of melodrama, emphasizing its role in reflecting and responding to societal shifts over time. Prerequisite(s): Any two courses from SPN 250-299 or permission of the instructor. CC: LCC, HUL, JCHF, JWOL, WAC ISP: GSWS,LAS