| The present thesis discusses, supports, and defends the importance of including La relacion written by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca in an introductory Spanish literature and Spanish American literature survey courses. At the same time, the available resources presented herein, support the instruction of said work as well as presenting a detailed analysis of the work itself.;The introduction presents a general overview of this work where it is proposed that La relacion offers a hybridism or plasticity which allows for multiple approaches to its analysis without losing its accessibility for the students. It is due to these qualities that it should be included in the curriculum of the stated courses previously mentioned. In the first chapter, biographical aspects of the author are discussed within the historical context in which he lived. The second chapter takes the route of exploring the development of the text from its first publishing through the editions presently available. The third chapter recommends audiovisual and electronic resources that complement an analytical study of the work. The fourth chapter argues that the author-protagonist reinvents his identity as a result of his experience. It can be concluded that the reinvention of his identity is due to his coming into contact with a different culture which is a key element when presenting the text to students who are more receptive to topics that explore the differences between races, cultures, and ethnicities. |
