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Unit information: Writing, Society and Politics in Franco's Spain in 2017/18

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Unit name Writing, Society and Politics in Franco's Spain
Unit code HISP20038
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Wells
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Structured around four key literary texts, this unit involves the study of the social, cultural and political circumstances which influenced literary production in Spain during Franco s dictatorship. Attention is focused on the relationship between narrative themes and the wider social, cultural and political climate of the period. Topics covered include: the nature of urban and rural existence under the dictatorship, the emergence and demise of the novela objetivista , the beginning of social and economic transformation.

Aims:

  • To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
  • To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
  • To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.
  • Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

  • be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
  • be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
  • be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;
  • be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;
  • be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

Normally one lecture hour and one seminar hour per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours), often with student presentations. In units with a smaller number of students the lecture hour may be replaced by a second seminar or a workshop. Units involving film may require students to view films outside the timetabled contact hours.

Assessment Information

Essay 33%, Exam 67%

Reading and References

Camilo José Cela, La colmena

Juan Goytisolo, Fiestas

Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio, El Jarama

Antonio Buero Vallejo, El tragaluz.

Barry Jordan, Writing and Politics in Franco-s Spain (Routledge, 1990).

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