Collection Development Policy
Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese Languages & Literatures

PROGRAMS AND CLIENTELE SUPPORTED:

This section's emphasis is on language, literature, and civilization, not on linguistics. The section offers a Master of Arts program whose goal is "the critical understanding and articulation of the cultural achievements of other nations as reflected primarily in their literatures" (Bulletin, 1967-88). Undergraduate and graduate courses focus on Medieval through modern literature of Spain, colonial through modern literature of Latin America, and the civilization and culture of Spanish- speaking countries. Approaches range from traditional literary analysis to modern critical theories, such as semiotics and deconstruction. Faculty research and publishing may cover any period or genre, but currently it focuses on medieval and renaissance Spanish manuscripts and the chroniclers of Latin America, River Plate literature, women authors, Cuba, and modern Spanish and Spanish American fiction, among other topics.

SUBJECT LIBRARIAN:

Scott Van Jacob
Collection Development Department
206 Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-6587
VanJacob.1@nd.edu
FAX:  (574) 631-6772

GENERAL COLLECTING GUIDELINES:

Languages:  Spanish, English, and Portuguese; selected translations in critical theory from other languages into Spanish.

Chronological:  Medieval to modern, but especially Golden Age and twentieth centuries.

Geographical:  Spain and Spanish America, especially Argentina, Uruguay, Hispanic Carribean, and Mexico. More selectively, Portugal, Brazil, other countries of Latin America, and the United States.

Treatment of subject:  Literary and scholarly level; selected popular works, not juvenile literature or textbooks as a rule. The libraries' approval plan for books in English includes literary criticism books published by major presses in the United States. Translations into English not covered by approval plan are purchased through the English book allocation.

Types of material:  Basic literary texts (including complete works of selected major authors), critical monographs, serials, and reference works. Proceedings and symposia very selectively. Selectively audio-visual material.

COORDINATION INFORMATION:

Most translations of Spanish authors in English not covered by the approval plan are purchased through the English book allocation. Purchases by the Latin American Studies Subject Librarian benefit the literature collection by covering related topics of interest, such as women's role in society, the Catholic Church's role in society, and historical events and figurees that might serve as themes of creative literature. Latin American Studies also acquires numerous periodicals of interest to scholars of literature.

COLLECTING LEVELS:

Subject	LC Class	Collecting Level
Spanish Language	PC 4001-4477	2
Spanish Literature
Medieval		2
Renaissance and Golden Age	PQ 6271-6498	3
1700 - 1900	PQ 6500-6676	2
20th century		3
Spanish American Literature
Mexico	PQ 7100-7349	3
West Indies	PQ 7361-7451	2
Cuba	PQ 7370-7390	4
Puerto Rico	PQ 7420-7440	4
Central America	PQ 7471-7539	2
Argentina	PQ 7600-7799	3
Bolivia	PQ 7800-7820	2
Chile	PQ 7900-8099	3
Colombia	PQ 8160-8180	2
Ecuador	PQ 8200-8220	2
Peru	PQ 8300-8498	3
Uruguay	PQ 8510-8520	4
Venezuela	PQ 8530-8549	2
Portuguese Language	PC 5001-5448	2
Portuguese Literature
Portugal	PQ 9001-9470	2
Brazil	PQ 9500-9699	2

 

Updated 4/11/08

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