This course is intended to introduce students to the contemporary Latin American short story. Students will study in detail the language, narrative structure and leitmotivs that characterize this genre in Latin America. Through the literary study of each short story students will also come in contact with multiple topics from the various cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Major authors to be studied include Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Rosario Ferré, Ángeles Mastretta, and Gabriel García Márquez.