An in-depth inquiry into the writings, life, and legacy of the salient Mexican woman poet, dramatist, scholar, and nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651?-1695), known for her precocious literary talent, mastery of the poetic forms of the Hispanic Baroque, thirst for knowledge, early defense of women’s learning, and dramatic life. Students will be introduced to interdisciplinary Sor Juana studies through approaches from literary criticism, women’s and gender studies, sexuality studies, and the studies of colonial and postcolonial discourses. Readings will include sonnets, romances, and villancicos written in Spanish and Nahuatl, plays, the long poem entitled First Dream, and prose texts including Letter Worthy of Athena, Allegorical Neptune, and the autobiographical essay, The Answer. The course will also explore Sor Juana’s reception in contemporary literary criticism, essays, visual art, and film.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 10

Prerequisites: Open to Senior and Junior majors or by permission of the instructor.

Instructor:  Guzauskyte, Arraiza Rivera

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

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