Hispanic Studies 448: Soccer, Spectacle and Society in the Hispanic World

Soccer has become a social phenomenon of importance in the Hispanic world. Based on its immense popularity and diffusion, this sport has begun to be considered a symbolic space for the encounter of cultures, as well as relations of gender and power, in constant conversation with the political and historical contexts in countries as diverse as Spain, Chile, Argentina or Colombia. Our Seminar seeks to unravel the foundations of soccer as a social spectacle, aided by cultural semiotics and performative studies. Then we will focus on the interaction of soccer with literary genres such as the novel, the chronicle, short stories, especially in the work of authors such as Manuel Vásquez Montalbán, Osvaldo Soriano, Eduardo Galeano, Roberto Bolaño, Juan Villoro, among others. An important section will be dedicated to dramatic texts and films (Agustín Cuzzani, Alfredo Bushby, Emir Kusturica among others). We will also discuss the connection between soccer and the construction of masculinity in traditionally patriarchal societies in the Hispanic World, and the current growing importance of Women Soccer. Finally, we will explore the interaction between soccer and society, especially in the experience of Latin American violence, such as dictatorships (Chile, Peru, Argentina) as well as armed conflicts (Colombia, Central America). May be applied to the Theatre/Performance requirement for the major in Hispanic Studies. Course taught in Spanish. Satisfies the 400-level requirement for the Hispanic Studies minor.