Latinx Literatures of Los Angeles

Latinx Literatures of Los Angeles

Karina Palau
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Wednesday until Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024
Price: $155.00
101 slots available
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No U.S. city has been a hotspot of Latinx creativity quite like Los Angeles, California. Focusing on Latinx literature from the so-called City of Angels, this course will explore poetry, fiction, plays, and non-fiction pieces by a variety of 20th-century and contemporary Latinx writers invested in using the written word to negotiate forms of urban place-making and belonging in the city of L.A. We will trace the treatment of themes like place-making in U.S. urban centers, xicanismo, and de-colonial histories of Los Angeles. Writers to be discussed include Luis Valdéz, Verónica Reyes, Helena María Viramontes, and more.

Central pieces to be discussed:

  • The Barbarian Nurseries, Héctor Tobar (a long novel that we'll cover for at least two weeks)
  • Their Dogs Came with Them, Helena María Viramontes (a novel that we'll pace over two weeks)
  • Zoot Suit, Luis Valdéz (a play that was also adapted by the writer into a film) 

Members are encouraged to find and read copies of The Barbarian Nurseries and Their Dogs Came with Them in advance of the discussion days. A pdf copy of Zoot Suit will be provided.

Faculty Bio

Karina Palau received her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley's Department of Comparative Literature in 2014 and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at Cal ever since. 

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 365, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
  • Classes will also stream live simultaneously, and be recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and ends on Wednesday, Feb. 21
  • Classes meet for six weeks, two hours per session (10–noon)
  • Videos will post on Fridays in Member Dashboards
  • All course materials, including videos, will be available to view and enjoy through March 31

Member Praise for Karina Palau

Engaging lecturer. Her enthusiasm was contagious. 

Karina offered sooo much terrific, pertinent information related to the subject at hand. Her videos and suggested reading list are so thorough and mind-expanding. She is a fabulous addition to the OLLI staff. I'd take any class from her in a heartbeat. She knows her subject inside and out. Thank you, Karina!

Faculty Q&A