Unit information: Arts of Unreason in 2014/15

Unit name	Arts of Unreason
Unit code	HISP21312
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Ginger
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

This unit considers a highly influential idea in Spanish cultural history: that reality contains within itself the makings of ‘unreason’ –disparates or caprichos - , an alternative, and truer way of understanding the world. Important Spanish thinkers have tried to trace this concern back through the historical cultures of Iberia. In turn, influential writers, artists, and filmmakers have turned to the disparate for inspiration in finding fresh new ways of imagining and comprehending the reality about them. In this unit, we will look at some of the reasons and history behind these trends. We will look at attempts to create illuminating ‘arts of unreason’ through examples from the visual arts, cinema, literature, and politics.

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

Lecture and seminars

Assessment Information

one 4000 word essay 100%

Reading and References

Extracts from writings about the disparate, especially Ramón Gómez de la Serna, José Bergamín, Jorge Oteiza (to be supplied), María Zambrano and related visual objects from 16th-17th and pre-historic Spain

Jorge Oteiza, selected sculptures including Apostoluak (1950) and De la serie de la desocupación de la esfera (1957) in relation to the above

Francisco Goya, Caprichos (various editions available including the Dover edition)

Antonio Ros de Olano, Relatos (Crítica, 2008) (especially ‘La noche de máscaras’, ‘Celos’ and ‘Los niños expósitos)

Dir. Buñuel, Un chien andalou/Un perro andaluz

Dir. Arregi & Goenaga, Lucio