Topics in Hispanic Studies: Is Seeing Believing? Science in the Hispanic World

Course Number: 82-455

What is the dialogue between the humanities and scientific inquiry, and how do they shape each other? How does scientific development and discourse impact how we view and approach literature? What are the multiple encounters between these disciplines and how do they help us understand the cultures they emerge from? This course attempts to answer these questions by focusing on literature and works of art in the Spanish-speaking world roughly from the 16th to the 21st century, with priority given to the early modern period (1492-1695) and the 20th and 21st centuries. The former will provide foundational information such as the influence of humanism in thought, the encounter between the Americas and Spain, perspectives towards the place of humanity in cosmology, and alternatives and responses to European-centric forms of thought in Spanish colonies. During the latter time period some of these topics will continue, but we will also analyze the influence of scientific discourse in literary movements and theory, literary genres such as science fiction, and current debates regarding science. The chronological order is not fixed and sometimes we will juxtapose older texts with newer ones, and vice versa, in order to analyze a theme under different contexts. Overall, the class is themed following the study of optics, but other scientific disciplines that will emerge from class material include: astronomy, biology, botany, cartography, and chemistry, among others.

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Units: 9