New World(s): Contacts, Conquests and Conflict in Early Modern Hispanic History and Culture (Autumn)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC2096 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 2 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- MLAC2096
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
In this module we follow the course of social and cultural history in Portugal, Spain and their Empires and spheres of influence from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries by looking at painting. We will examine religious art, the most widespread and influential form of painting at the time, portraiture and documentary painting (history, mythology) from Portugal and Spain. We will also look at a small selection of poetry in Spanish on religious and political themes, and love poetry. As part of the module you will be encouraged to visit art galleries and look at official gallery websites. Your assessment will take the form of curator’s notes on individual paintings and poems. You do not need any previous training in art history to take this module.
Target Students
For registration by Exchange or U21 ONLY. A reading knowledge of Spanish is required.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Seminars are delivered fortnightly to individual students. This module is for registration of Year 2 students on Law with Spanish and Spanish Law. It is one semester of the year long 20 credit SPLAS module R42319 Metropolis and Empire: Spain, Portugal and the Americas 1492 to 1898. NB THIS MODULE SHOULD FEED INTO TIMETABLING OF R2319 AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE TIMETABLED SEPARATELY
Assessment
- 100% Assignment 1: 72-hour take home test (1,200 words)
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
By the end of this module students should have acquired: A sound knowledge of the cultural and political history of Iberia in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; A solid grasp of painting and visual culture in Iberia; An appreciation of poetry in Spanish from this period; An ability to work independently and manage time intelligently to fulfil work commitments; A greater confidence in presenting analytical written work effectively; The means to employ these new insights and skills in future modules.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/Lusophone 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/Lusophone 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 visual and written texts;
- (B2) demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical and socio-political contexts of Hispanic/Lusophone cultures;
- (B4) deploy effectively a range of critical stratagems and approaches in their analytical work.
3. Professional/practical skills
The training offered on this module 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:
- (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/Lusophone cultures and their own culture of origin;
- (D6) general research skills;
- (D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.