Module Title |
Spanish Culture and Society 2
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Module Code |
SP290
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School |
SALIS
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Online Module Resources
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Level |
1
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Credit Rating |
5
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Pre-requisite |
SP120, SP190
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Co-requisite |
None
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Module Aims
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This module has two broad aims:
1. to provide an overview of the cultural history of Spain since mediaeval times;
2. to examine in detail two contemporary literary texts
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Learning Outcomes
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At the end of this module you will have gained an appreciation of the most significant movements and periods in the cultural history of Spain. You will have read short extracts from a small number of key literary works dating from the period spanning the fifteenth- to the twentieth centuries. You will have analysed in depth two important twentieth century literary texts with a view to reflecting on issues that arise in them that are of universal relevance.
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
51
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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Cultural diversity in time and space is the main theme of
this course: thinking ourselves back from the late
twentieth century into the world-view of a mediaeval
Spaniard requires a leap of the imagination that entails
questioning assumptions that we make today about the nature
and composition of society and involves us in a process of
adopting, at least temporarily, beliefs and attitudes that
are alien to our own. We start by examining the conception
of the world that is demonstrated in several Spanish
ballads,originally handed down in an oral tradition, and in
the "Coplas" of Jorge Manrique. These illustrate concepts
of faith, honour and justice typical of the Western world at
that time, but set in the context of a cultural mix peculiar
to the Iberian peninsula. This cultural plurality arises
from the geographical diversity of the various kingdoms and
principalities from which Spain emerged, but is also a
product of the influence of the variety of major cultures
acting on the peninsula: Christianity, Judaism and Islam,
vestiges of which are evident in the art and literature of
the time.
In the golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries, having
achieved political unity and having, for a brief period,
exercised a relative hegemony on the world stage, Spain
experienced a remarkable flourishing of activity in both the
plastic and verbal arts. Some examples of prominent authors
and their works from this period will be discussed,
including Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega. Writers of
the Baroque era such as Calderón and Quevedo will be set in
the context of the society of their time, in the course of
examining their criticisms of the hypocrisy and decadence
they perceived therein.
A similarly critical role was played in the nineteenth
century by Mariano de Larra by Galdós and later the 1898
Generation questioned the place of Spain in the world and
the relative backwardness of many of its institutions.
Writers in the 1940's and 1950's would again comment
critically on their society.
The course will examine these issues while introducing the
student to short texts of relevance to each period. Time
will also be devoted to a close examination of two major
contemporary works selected for their relevance to issues of
universal importance.
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Assessment | Continuous Assessment | 0% | Examination Weight | 100% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Course Booklet
Quesada, S, Curse do civilizacisn espaqola, Madrid: SGEL, 1987
Laforet, C, Nada, Barcelona: Destino, 1970
Buero Ballejo, A, El tragaluz, Madrid: Castalia, 1982
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Programme or List of Programmes
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ALFS | BA in Applied Languages (French/Spanish) |
ALGS | BA in Applied Languages (German/Spanish) |
ALJ | BA in Applied Languages (Japanese) |
EBS | BA in European Business (Spanish) |
IBLFS | BA in Inter. Business & Lang. (Fr/Sp) |
IBLGS | BA in Inter. Business & Lang. (Ge/Sp) |
IMLFS | BA in Int. Mkting & Lang. (Fr/Sp) |
IMLGS | BA in Int. Mkting & Lang. (Ge/Sp) |
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