Hispanic Studies 144-432B / 144-667B

Literature of Discovery and Exploration: Spain in the New World

(2001-2002)

Professor David A. Boruchoff

688 Sherbrooke Street West, Rm. 383 (tel: 398-6686)

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:30—11:30, or by appointment

Course Description:

Using primary sources and selected critical works, this course examines the historiography of the European discovery, exploration and settlement of America, its intellectual consequences, and the evolving concept of a “New World” in the sixteenth century. The geographic focus is the region comprising New Spain (Mexico), the Caribbean and what is now the southernmost United States.

Required Readings:

Cristóbal Colón “Carta a Luis de Santángel” (xerox)

Los cuatro viajes. Testamento (Alianza)

Amérigo Vespucci: “Carta de 1502” and “Fragmento Ridolfi” (xerox)

Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo Sumario de la natural historia de las Indias (Historia 16)

Bartolomé de las Casas Brevísima relación de la destrucción de las Indias (Cátedra)

Hernán Cortés Cartas de relación (Porrúa)

Bernal Díaz del Castillo Historia verdadera de la conquista (Historia 16 or Alianza)

Varios autores Relaciones indígenas de la conquista (xerox)

Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca Naufragios y comentarios (Historia 16)

Course Requirements and Mark Distribution:

Students are expected to prepare all assigned readings and contribute actively to class discussion. Essays must be written in correct Spanish, typed, prepared according to the MLA Handbook and submitted at the start of class on the dates listed below. The theme of the mid-term essay will be assigned by the professor approximately 7-10 days before the essay is due. The theme of the final essay—proposed by each student in accordance with his/her interests—must be approved by the professor. Essays handed in late are subject to a penalty. Electronic submissions and faxes are not accepted. If the Office of Student Affairs grants a supplemental examination, it will count in place of the regular final examination as 30% of the final mark. There are no extra-credit activities.

Mid-term essay (6-7 pages)………………………..….…..20%

Final essay (12 pages)..…………………………………...30%

Final examination..………………………………………..30%

Class participation, quizzes and exercises…..………….…20%

Students must observe all regulations and guidelines concerning plagiarism and academic honesty at McGill. Any violations will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Important Dates:

February 15, 2002 (Friday)………….mid-term essay due

March 15, 2002 (Friday)…………….final essay proposal due

April 12, 2002 (Friday)…..………….final essay due

Preliminary Syllabus

(subject to modification)

January 7 Introduction

9 Cristóbal Colón “Carta a Luis de Santángel” (1493)

11

14 Cristóbal Colón Diario del primer viaje (1492-93)

16

18

21 “Memorial a Antonio Torres” (1494)

23 Relación del tercer viaje (1498)

25

28 Amerigo Vespucci “Carta de 1502”/“Fragmento Ridolfi”

30

February 1 Cristóbal Colón Relación del cuarto viaje (1503)

4

6 Testamento (1506)

8

11 Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo Sumario de la natural historia (1526)

13

15 * Mid-term essay due *

18 Bartolomé de las Casas Brevísima relación (1552)

20

22

25 Study Break

27 Study Break

March 1 Study Break

4 Hernán Cortés Cartas de relación (1^a carta - 1519)

6

8 Cartas de relación (2^a carta - 1520)

11

13

15 Bernal Díaz del Castillo Historia verdadera de la conquista

* Final essay proposal due *

18

20

22

25

27

29 Easter Break

April 1 Easter Break

3 Varios autores Relaciones indígenas de la conquista

5

8 Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca Naufragios (ed. 1555)

10

12 * Final essay due *

15 Conclusions