American Studies, School of Modern Languages and Cultures HKU

This course will explore the relationship between US and three specific Latin American cultures during the twentieth century. Each context will offer a different way in which US and Spanish-Speaking Latin American cultures interact with each other. The first case will be the Latino presence in the US through the reading of the most canonical work by a Chicano author: The House on Mango Street (1984) by Sandra Cisneros (1954--). The following context will see interactions between the Harlem Renaissance author Langston Hughes (1902-1967) and Afrocuban poet Nicolás Guillén (1902-1989). Finally, the course will delve into poetic responses to US military and political intervention in Nicaragua from one of the fathers of Latin American poetry, Rubén Darío (1867-1916) and two contemporary poets, priest and political activist Ernesto Cardenal (1925--) and feminist poet Gioconda Belli (1948--).

Elective Course
AMER2060	US/Latin American cultural interactions	6 credits

This course will explore the relationship between US and three specific Latin American cultures during the twentieth century. Each context will offer a different way in which US and Spanish-Speaking Latin American cultures interact with each other. The first case will be the Latino presence in the US through the reading of the most canonical work by a Chicano author: The House on Mango Street (1984) by Sandra Cisneros (1954--). The following context will see interactions between the Harlem Renaissance author Langston Hughes (1902-1967) and Afrocuban poet Nicolás Guillén (1902-1989). Finally, the course will delve into poetic responses to US military and political intervention in Nicaragua from one of the fathers of Latin American poetry, Rubén Darío (1867-1916) and two contemporary poets, priest and political activist Ernesto Cardenal (1925--) and feminist poet Gioconda Belli (1948--).

Prerequisite: Nil
Assessment: 100% coursework
(Offered in 2021/2022, 2nd semester)