Cortinez is very knowledgeable! In retrospect the class helped me learn so much about Chilean history, it's pretty cool as well as help with my writing since the lecture is in Spanish. BUT! This class is definitely a challenge. I had Rachel as a TA, if you have her, SWITCH! She is not that friendly or approachable. I went to her office hours and she seemed closed off and not helpful. Take advantage of Cortinez during her office hours!

Definitely the hardest Spanish class I've ever taken at UCLA. Discussion counts for 40% of your grade, so nonnative speakers are at a disadvantage, especially since the course is like a poli sci, history, literature, and film class of chile in one. If Rachel is your TA, good luck.

Definitely one of the worst Spanish classes I have taken at UCLA. Professor Cortinez does show interest and passion regarding the subject but definitely what makes this course difficult is the fact that she is very disorganized. She would start her lectures putting several names, event and dates and talk about them without any order or whatsoever, which makes students have to go back and forward when taking notes. Definitely this is a course that requires a lot of reading, and a lot of time outside the class, since students are required to watch several films at the media lab. If you are taking this course as an elective, I would recommend to take another class other than this one. In addition, if your TA happens to be Rachel, be aware that she will make the class ten times more difficult than what it supposed to be.

Don't let this class fool you- although the course was originally titled Film and Lit in the Spanish Speaking World, it turned into Chilean Film and Lit. Professor Cortinez has a wealth of knowledge about Chile, but tends to ramble on about her own pet projects. There's no break during the two hour class- and your grade depends entirely on the TA. The bottom line is that if you show up to class and sign in (mandatory attendance), and do a little bit of review before the final, you'll easily pass with flying colors.

Profesora Cortinez will tell you from Day 1: "Nothing in this course is meant to trick you." Many professors take pride in making this statement but this is the only one I've ever had who stayed true to these words. She is very passionate about the material that she has put together in this course about Chilean literature and history. She clearly wants everyone to learn as much of it as possible, and therefore does not need to punish you with her grade-book. Do not be fooled, there is a ton of material to read and watch as others have mentioned here. But if you listen to her and pay attention, you will find that she does not test on details, only major themes from the movies and the literature. Realistically, you only need to watch each movie once to be able to write the final exam. However be certain to highlight in your notes the major points about the significance of each piece of lit that she points out. I am not a native speaker but I am a Spanish minor. YOU WILL be floored by the speed of her Spanish speaking the first week or two, and may have trouble understanding her at first -- but compared to most Chilean speakers she is very clear and thoughtful about how she speaks. By the end of this course I know for a fact that my Spanish skills have at least doubled, my listening comprehension has soared and has given me much more confidence when speaking in Spanish. I am grateful in so many ways for taking this course. The T.A.'s that Cortinez has working under her wing are marvelous as well. The readings and films are long and numerous, however they are very interesting both artistically and politically. You will be cheating yourself to not go through them. I highly recommend this course and this professor.

If your looking forward to the literature portion of the class it is basically non-existent b/c there is not too much literature that we read (2 novels)
Yes Cortinez is a very good lecturer b/c you can really see that she enjoys what she teaches. I personally loved the class because the political history behind chile is very interesting.

BUT, the only thing(s) that really bugged me about the class is that the time. It's a four unit class but the work load and the extra time spent outside of class watching the movies deserves for it to be more units.
AND, Cortinez tends to have her "favorites" in the class. So I suggest that you go talk to her and become her best friend or else you'll kinda feel on the outside.

RECOMMENDED? Yes if you really like history, and No if you can stand a professor that picks and chooses her students as her favorites