Modern Spanish and Spanish American Literature (Spring)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC2056 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 2 | 10 | Spring UK |
- Code
- MLAC2056
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module explores twentieth-century literature in Spanish America against a backdrop of profound social change. It is structured around key literary movements such as modernismo, the Avant-garde and the New Spanish American Narrative. The module examines the relationship between certain literary texts of the period and the context in which they were produced (Spanish America’s rapid, if hugely uneven modernisation). Each novel or collection of poetry or short stories will be used to exemplify and problematise a particular movement, but will also be treated in its own right through close textual analysis.
Target Students
For registration by Exchange or U21 students ONLY. A reading knowledge of Spanish is required.
Classes
- Three 1-hour seminars each week for 3 weeks
- Two 1-hour lectures each week for 11 weeks
Assessment
- 30% Coursework 1: 1 x 1000 word commentary
- 70% Coursework 2: 1 x 1500 word coursework essay
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module will offer students familiarity with the main techniques and formal complexities of the texts studied, an understanding of some of the major directions of Spanish American literature in the twentieth century and the ability to relate the texts studied to the historico-cultural context of twentieth-century Spanish America.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding Students will:
(A1) read and comprehend complex texts in Spanish;
(A2) acquire an in-depth awareness of the cultural, historical and political contexts appropriate to the Hispanic culture addressed,
(A3) develop an appreciation of the relationship between their own cultural, historical and social backgrounds and those of those aspects of the Hispanic worlds to which they are exposed;
(A4) handle with assurance a range of critical and analytical stratagems and tools in their approach to these areas.
2. Intellectual Skills Students are given the tools with which to:
(B1) engage in informed discussion of literary texts and genres from Hispanic cultures;
(B2) demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical and socio-political contexts of Hispanic cultures;
(B4) deploy effectively a range of critical stratagems and approaches in their analytical work.
3. Professional/practical skills:
The training offered during the course of the Hispanic Studies elements of the degree allows students to
(C3) undertake relevant research and construct a reasoned argument on a topic/issue in English either orally or in writing.
4. Transferable/key skills:
Students are provided with the training to be able to demonstrate
(D2) effective comprehension of written Spanish;
(D3) the ability to construct and defend a coherent and well-researched argument in English;
(D4) appropriate preparation skills in relation to written documents, oral presentation, illustrations and handouts and the delivery of oral presentations;
(D5) sufficient cross-cultural understanding to be able to negotiate effectively between cultures, particularly Hispanic cultures and their own culture of origin;
(D6) general research skills; (D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.