SPAN3311 Contemporary Spanish History and Culture Through Film and Literature

2019

4.5

1 x 2-hour lecture weekly

18 units of SPAN topics

SPAN7411 has been successfully completed

Upper Intermediate Spanish

This topic examines key aspects of contemporary Spanish society through the analysis of films and/or texts. The films and literary texts will form the basis for the study of a particular historical or cultural period such as the Republic and the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, transition to democracy and today's Spain.

The films and literary texts provide an excellent medium for the analysis of 20th and 21st Century Spain as they serve both as an artistic expression and as a historical document. They are also an excellent source of information about the customs, values and attitudes of Spanish society. In addition, the topic will examine the close relationship that exists between Spanish literature and cinema as some of the films are movie adaptations of important 20th Century Spanish literary works.

The choice of examining films, literary texts or a combination will vary form year to year. Authors and film-makers who may be covered in this topic include, García Lorca, Miguel Delibes, Martí Gaite, Rosa Montero, Carlos Saura, Mario Camus, Pedro Almodóvar and Icíar Bollaín.

Teaching will be based on lectures and, above all, on tutorials, in which students are expected to participate actively by discussing the films and literary texts.

This topic aims to:

• familiarise students with a number of important Spanish literary and visual texts

• allow a deeper understanding of 20th and 21st Century Spanish society through the analysis of films and literary works

• develop students' ability to analyse literary and visual texts in their historical and/or social context to an appropriate level

• develop learner's critical and analytical skills through the study of the films and literary texts

• analyse the influence of Spanish literature on Spanish cinema

On completing this topic students will:

• have a critical understanding of Spanish contemporary cinema and literature

• be able to analyse the cultural and historical aspects present in the films and literary texts studied

• have an understanding of the films and literary works and their relationship to Spanish historical, social, and political reality

• be able to communicate their knowledge, understanding and analyses of the topics studied in written and spoken Spanish