Span 365: The Chicano Novel
Focuses on the reading and analysis of selected Chicano writers whose novels have left a distinctive mark on Chicano Literature. Emphasizes the understanding of Chicano cosmology (society, culture, behavior, values) through the literary texts. No prior knowledge of Spanish required.
This course was taught by Dr. Donaldo Urioste. We read and analyzed many Chicano novels, which are basically novels written by Mexican-American authors and usually talk about the challenges and realities of growing up in the U.S. and having two identities-one Mexican and one American. Most of the books we read also fell into the category of being a bildungsroman, or a coming of age novel. We read some of the most famous Chicano novels, such as, Pocho (generally considered to be the first Chicano novel. 1959), Bless Me, Ultima, Y No Se Lo Trago La Tierra, The House on Mango Street, Into the Beautiful North, Across One Hundred Mountains, Desert Blood, and The Memories of Ana Calderón. I enjoyed most of these books, with my favorite probably being Bless Me, Ultima. These books were both entertaining and gave the reader a glimpse into the lives of Mexican-Americans in various states in the U.S. The themes of immigration, racism, poverty, injustice, and violence were well represented in these books, as were the themes of growing up and interfamily tension. This class fulfilled MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge.