This course examines the cultural representation of gender and sexuality in the Spanish-speaking world analyzing a selection of recent Latin American and Spanish movies. Starting from the theory of “gaze” developed by Laura Mulvey in film studies, we will address questions related to identity construction, heteronormativity, queerness, feminism, patriarchy, and machismo. We will reflect on how different sociopolitical contexts contribute to the construction of femininity and masculinity in society and regulate sexuality. We will analyze the construction of the female character in movies such as, on the one hand, an “object of desire” and, on the other hand, a “monstrous feminine” (Barbara Creed). We will examine the social construction of masculinity between hegemonic and contra-hegemonic models and stereotypes considering famous movies such as “Plata Quemada” and “Fresa y Chocolate.” Finally, we will close the course with a section dedicated to the queer gaze and movies by Pedro Almodóvar, Anna Muylaert, and Sebastián Lelio. This section reflects the possibility of instituting a cinematographic gaze capable of constructing characters in movies in a non-binary way that supplants the rigid division between masculine and feminine in favor of greater fluidity between genders.

This class counts toward the Spanish major and as elective credit toward the Spanish minor.

Class Format:

This course will be taught entirely in Spanish and favors a multi-disciplinary approach, as well as an active role of the students through group activities and class discussions. Students will become familiar with cultural patterns, specific vocabulary, as well as with conceptual and critical tools in order to discuss the material of the course. We will be working primarily with movies, but we will be also using a variety of materials including literary texts, essays and newspaper articles, photographs, art images, and videos.