This course uses literary expression to deepen understanding of Latin American perspectives on a variety of cultural and historical issues. While incorporating film, essays, art and basic historical background, the course focuses on short stories, poems, plays and/or novels from various countries, including the United States, in order to familiarize students with a variety of genres. Since the course is in English, we will also address issues of translation. The course may offer a particular focus of particular relevance to the region, depending on the professor. Topics covered may include national identity; gender and sexuality; experimental representations of reality; ethnicity and social class; religion; memory and history. Familiarity with the region or its languages is not a prerequisite.