Hispanic Film The cinema is a space of social interaction, of entertainment, of bodily (dis)pleasure, of cultural critique, of commerce, of many things. In this course we will study, with a focus on comparative analysis, the text and context of films produced throughout the Hispanic world. Through examining the work of filmmakers from diverse backgrounds, we will closely analyze film form and engage key debates in film theory such as authorship, genre (comedy, documentary, melodrama, etc.), and (trans)national cinema, as well as explore the ways in which class, culture, disability, history, politics, race, and sexuality are represented cinematically. Critical, scholarly, and theoretical readings will supplement film viewings.

Hispanic Musical Films In this course we will study Hispanic musical films (including fiction and documentaries) from Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Our main goal will be to understand how Hispanic countries use this cinematic genre to establish nationalist constructions and ideologies, and how this has consequently affected the development of Hispanic musical narratives in the United States. Analyses will focus on how different ethnic aspects are defined as 'Other' in musical genres such as Flamenco, Tango, Rancheras, Tex-Mex, Salsa, Reggaeton, Merengue, and Spanish Rock. We will explore why Hispanic musicals are perceived as exotic in relation to their Anglophone counterparts while studying films such as Buena Vista Social Club, Allá en el rancho grande, Selena, and El día que me quieras.

Hispanic Athletes: Sports, Nationalist Culture, and the Global Media In this course, we will study sports as an essential part in the construction of nationalist pride and perceptions of race, class, and gender in several Hispanic nation-states and subcultures in Europe and the Americas.  We will analyze fictional narrative content such as literature and films (Pepe el Toro, Sugar, Black Diamonds, and many others). In addition, we will also explore how media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, videogames, documentaries, and the internet affect our perceptions of sporting events and their superstars to create controversies, support hegemonic nationalist ideas, and further the commercial ambitions of corporations.

Superhero Parodies In this class we will discuss how the superhero/adventure genre in comic books was initially constructed as a mouthpiece of traditionalist nationalist values in the United States and Spain. Through the study of theories of intertextuality and postcolonial theory, students will analyze how Hispanic/Latin comic book creators from Europe and the Americas have parodied the hegemonic values that have influenced our views of economics, gender, and race with the goals of bringing diversity and inclusion in this particular graphic narrative genre.

American Superheroes and Immigration In this course we will explore how American comic book artists represent diasporic identities through superhero narratives. We will focus on Superman and the character's Kryptonian heritage while also juxtaposing imaginary diasporas—such as Wonder Woman’s Amazon heritage and Black Panther’s Wakanda—with real ones from South and East Asia, and the Caribbean, linked to characters such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, and La Borinqueña. Key topics will include how changes in American culture have broadened the corporate definition of American immigrant identities and why this issue is controversial in modern political discourse. The final project will involve each student creating their own diasporic superhero.

Intermediate Spanish This accelerated course is designed to review, reinforce, and consolidate the linguistic structures that students need in order to reach the intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. A grammar review will accompany intensive language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, readings, discussions, and compositions.

Exploring Orientalist Adventures in the Americas In this class we will study 20th and 21st century adventure narratives from the Americas to explore how artists have struggled to represent Asian or Middle East cultures within or against Western imperialist ideologies. We will use Edward Said’s seminal work Orientalism as a theoretical framework and study how racist narratives are predominant within our industrial mass media (radio, serials, films, comic books, social media, and streaming services). Furthermore, we will explore how new gender and race paradigms have provided space for adventure narratives that attempt to dismantle the biases against Asian citizens in the Americas. This class will cover from Martial Arts narratives in the United States to Mexican Geisha comic books to Argentinean adventures in the Middle East.

Intermediate Spanish II A course for students seeking to perfect their academic writing skills in Spanish. The course is also an introduction to literary analysis and critical writing and will include reading and oral discussion of literary texts. The course will also include a thorough review of grammar at a fairly advanced level. This course may be used to fulfill the foreign languages distribution requirement.

Afro-Caribbean Music Genres In this course we will study Afro-Caribbean music genres (eg, reggae, mambo, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and calypso) and their impact within the region and on the global stage. Our main goal will be to compare the contested theoretical concept of cultural hybridity among the larger Caribbean nations (Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic) and their diasporas. We will also explore how Caribbean musicians and superstars work within the global infrastructure of the music/dance industry, while occasionally managing to counter the hegemonic erasure of the legacy of Black rebellion, worker revolution, nationalism, and racial/gender politics. (SPAN 0220 or 300 level Spanish course) 3 hrs. lect

Beginning Spanish II This course is a continuation of SPAN 0101. Intensive reading, writing, and oral activities will advance students’ proficiency in Spanish in an academic setting.

Enrique Garcia

Reviews and ratings for Enrique Garcia at Middlebury College.Enrique Garcia teaches Hispanic Film, Hispanic Musical Films, Hispanic Athletes and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Enrique Garcia good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Garcia was very enthusiastic about the material. There were writing assignments somewhat often and reading each night but it was entirely manageable and I thought he was a very fair grader. Great class and would love to take another one with him in the future.

This was a super chill Spanish class. This was a pretty light class, there was reading/videos due every class but they were interesting. There were two exams that were just long essays, and grading was easy. 

don't take this course if you want to learn spanish. There was a movie to watch most nights, and most were in english. Two papers throughout the term and he is a nice grader. Some homeworks every now and then. He would lecture for most of the period then we would briefly discuss for like 5 minutes and share out a sentence or two to the class. A really chill class if that's what you need in your schedule but I do not think my spanish improved at all.