Term papers
Faith, Migration and Diasporas in Latin American CultureDr. Medina
Term Papers
Sample titles and topics:
Syncretism in Madeinusa’s asphyxiating spaces
Gender and religion in Rosarios Castellanos’ The Book of Lamentations
Liberation Theology and Catholic church ideology(ies) in Pablo Trapero’s White Elephant
The biblical mythical structure of One Hundreds of Solitude
Spanish Church and Indian subjects: painting saints and angels to the American Indian likeness in Mexico’s colonial churches
La Santa Muerte: the theological base of a popular contemporary Mexican faith/religion/cult
The “Invention” of Virgen of Guadalupe in the work of artist from sixteenth century Mexico
Narco saints in popular Mexican music
The virgins and saints of drug lords as seen by graffiti artists
The Virgen of Guadalupe: images in and out of sacred Chicano spaces
Tattoo’s sacred inspiration: the footprint of global religious traditions
Themes:
- Any Latin America or US Latino humanities text (art, literature, film, documentaries, children's literature, comics, and so forth) that deals with topics of faith (or religion), or migration on the diaspora(s).
- It must address a selection of the following questions:
- What is this text (art, literature, film, documentaries, children's literature, comics, and so forth) about?
- Is this an autobiographical text? If so, defend your answer.
- What is the chronology of the novel or short story?
- Whose story is it?
- What is the basic conflict?
- What are the characteristics of the narrative voice(s)?
- Who is the Focalizer (the eye who sees)?
- What is the relationship between religion and world construction?
- How does the text present religion or the faith process?
- Explain how the text deals with syncretism and/or aculturization?
- Explore how the text portrays religious topics, such as redemption?
- Elaborate about the role of faith in culture.
- Why did the author write the novel or short story?
- What is the social-cultural-political or historical context of the text?
- How are sexual/gender roles assigned?
- How does the text deal with issues of nationalism and identity?
- Does the text subvert, revise questions or validate the official historical versions?
- What is the ideology of the text you read?
- What did you learn about Latin American society by reading/watching/studying this text?
- Compare or contrast the people and world portrayed in the reading with life in your own society
- Who is the "Other"?
- Why do we keep on reading the text or watching the film?
- Dr. Medina must approve your topic. Please get his approval before you start working on the paper.
The form
Faith:
The Content
Paper format: Papers must conform to the following criteria:
- Length: 3000 - 3500 words, approximately 12 - 15 pages, if using a Times Roman 12 cpi type font.
- Typed, double spaced
- Use correct and proper rules of grammar and style
- Follow the current MLA style. Please consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers for information on cover pages, page numbering, documenting your sources, designing a list of work cited, etc. The Ekstrom Library Reference Center has a copy available for students perusal.
- The list of work cited and the paper itself must show that you researched the topic.
Deadlines:
1. Tuesday, February 6: Select a topic and notify Dr. Medina, via e-mail, of your selection.
2. Tuesday, March 6: Turn in your thesis statement, tentative title and bibliography
3. Tuesday, April 10: First draft due
4. Thursday, April 26: Final revised version due.