Modern Spanish and Spanish American Literature

Code

MLAC2091

School

Modern Languages and Cultures

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

This module explores a cultural period in the Hispanic world characterised by profound social change and the emergence of major world-figures of modern art (e.g. Picasso). It is structured around key literary and artistic movements from Spain and Spanish America from the early nineteenth century to the latter part of the twentieth, movements such as Romanticism, Symbolism-Decadence/modernismo, the Avant-garde, and Modernism. The module examines the relationship between certain literary texts of the period and the context in which they were produced (Spain’s and Spanish America’s rapid, if hugely uneven modernisation). Each novel, play 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

Available for Year 2 students taking Spanish 2, Spanish 2 Beginners or Portuguese 2 Beginners. Also available for Exchange students with some knowledge of Spanish.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Spanish 2 (MLAC2059)
• Portuguese 2 Beginners (MLAC2062)
• Spanish 2 - Beginners (MLAC2085)

Classes

• Two 1-hour seminars each week for 4 weeks
• Three 1-hour seminars each week for 3 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 23 weeks

The module involves two contact hours a week, consisting of a programme of lectures and class workshops, plus seven one-hour seminars delivered at regular intervals across the year. There will be set reading to be done each week in preparation for lectures and workshops. The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.

Assessment

• 30% Coursework 1: 1 x 1500 word coursework essay Spring Semester
• 70% Exam 1 (1-hour-30-minute)

Assessed in both autumn & spring semest

Educational Aims

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(s) 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.

Conveners

• Professor Adam Sharman
• Professor Stephen Roberts