Module: Spanish Literature & Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Spanish Literature & Society
Module Code	SPA1038 (ITS: SP427)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module provides an introduction to the background of Latin American diversity and examines the contemporary cultural, social and political trends in selected areas of Latin America. The main purpose of this module is to further develop students’ analytical and critical skills through relevant cultural manifestations -literary, documentary, film and art. The module is delivered through Spanish and aims to improve comprehension, oral and writing skills as well as deepen students’ knowledge of culture and society

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of decisive political, economic and social issues in selected Latin American societies
2. Evaluate critically the intervention and role of more developed powers in their relations with Latin America
3. Recognize the importance of cultural activities and literary production in addressing issues of political and social tension
4. Critically analyse aspects of indigenous culture and social injustice through film and/or documentary
5. Read, understand and communicate with increased proficiency in Spanish

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	10	Online/Face to face seminars
Independent Study	80	Weekly tasks & independent study Students have to read different academic and media texts as well as complete different written tasks.
Assignment Completion	15	Film assignment
Assignment Completion	20	Literature assignment This assignment is based on the reading of a play and students have to complete different written and oral discussions tasks
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11566	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alicia Castillo Villanueva	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group presentation	Watch and analyse a film in order to identify different aspects of cultural memory, indigenous culture and social injustice	50%	Sem 1 End
Assignment	This assignment is based on the reading of a play and students have to complete different written and oral discussions tasks	50%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Latin American Society: Overview
Political regimes and transformations in Latin America: Freedom, democracy, development, good governance and security

Cultural as a means of resistance
The testimonial function of literature, film, art and architecture in Latin America. Culture as a means to effect change and to exorcise the past.

Indigenous cultures and developments
The future for indigenous peoples and cultures in the face of rapidly expanding globalization.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

BeguaÃŒÂn, Viviana, Kozameh, Alicia et al: 2006, Nosotras, presas poliÃŒÂticas, 1974-1983, Nuestra America, Buenos Aires,
Diaz, Gwendolyn.: 2007, Women and Power in Argentine Literature., University of Texas Press, Terxas,
Craft, Linda J.: 1997, Novels of testimony and resistance from Central America, Florida, University Press of Florida,
Kirby, Peadar: 2003, Introduction to Latin America., SAGE, London,
Kozameh, Alicia.: 1987, Pasos bajo el agua, Contrapunto, Buenos Aires,
Pilger, John: 2008, The War on Democracy (dvd), Lionsgate, UK,
Puenzo, Luis: 2005, La historia oficial (dvd), UK, Arrow Films,
Pollmann, Leo: 1998, La separacioÃŒÂn de los estilos: para una historia de la conciencia literaria argentina, Vervuert, Frankfurt am Main: Madrid,
Ward, John: 2004, Latin America. Development and conflict since 1945, Routledge, New York,
Zamora, Daisy: 2002, La espuma violenta, Curbstone Press, Connecticut,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None