May 25, 2021

JSIS 480 Special Topics in Latin American Studies

C LIT 252B  / JSIS 480A
Narco Narrative
TTh 12:30-2:20
Prof. Cynthia Steele
cynthias@uw.edu
As the activity and the violence of drug cartels keeps expanding in the Americas, fiction, films and TV series about the ‘Drug Wars’ continue to thrive. From novels like Don Winslow’s The Cartel to Netflix series like “Narcos,” and “El Chapo,” readers and viewers in the U.S. and Latin America continue to be transfixed by stories of drug kingpins rising from rags to riches, then dying in a volley of gunfire, or evading the law and then falling victim to the allures of Hollywood. We will examine the history of drug usage and its regulation in the U.S. and Latin America, including the rise of cartels in Colombia and in Mexico, through readings of novels and viewings of films and TV series. You will write a 5-page comparative essay, participate in a group presentation, and keep a journal of your readings and viewings. Regular class attendance and active participation in discussion are essential. Students are required to subscribe to Netflix for the duration of the course. Novels will include Don Winslow’s The Cartel, Juan Pablo Villalobos’ Down the Rabbit Hole and Yuri Herrera’s Kingdom Cons. Viewings will include the new Netflix series “Narcos Mexico” and the films Traspatio/Backyard and Sicario. All texts are translated or subtitled, so no knowledge of Spanish is required, though it is very welcome.
Canvas Site:
https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1254320