This course explores outstanding contemporary fiction by women writers from Spain and Latin America. From a gender-bending short story to a supernatural memoir to a gripping war novel, these works provide a window into life and literature in Spain, Argentina, Chile and Puerto Rico. The primary goal of the course is to analyze outstanding works as individual literary creations, while situating them in their literary, historical, and cultural contexts. An ancillary goal is to build individual skills in Spanish. The emphasis is on intensive reading (fewer works covered in depth), personalized writing practice, and discussion. This is a stand-alone honors course that meets with a small M.A.-level graduate section.