Hum 1551

Description

A survey of Spain’s literary production and cultural history, from its so-called “Golden Age” through the twentieth century. Literary texts (in English translation) will be read and analyzed in light of their various contexts, that is, the historical, social, political and cultural realities of texts and authors. To the extent possible (and practical), this course will also engage the question and the importance of translation as a literary, cultural, and political reality.

Objectives

The course is designed to help students to:

become familiar with a selection of representative texts and authors from Spain’s literary history, which have contributed to the artistic and linguistic reality of Hispanic culture.
gain further insight into their own culture through the experience of another culture.
consider the role that translation has played in the formation of “Western” culture and continues to play in the contemporary world.
use literary texts and other course materials as a basis for engaged discussion, thus further developing effective communication skills in Spanish and acquiring a more sophisticated vocabulary and cultural awareness.
use literary texts as a basis for written work based on responsible analysis, interpretation, citation and development of clear arguments.

While it is hoped that the reading assignments are enjoyable and interesting as well as informative, our main objective in this class is to use the texts to gain insight into the history and culture, as well as the artistic production, of Spain. Since the texts we will read come from different time periods, they will reflect changes in styles, themes, objectives and approaches to literature, as well as the changing expectations and value systems of society in general and of the reading public. Keep in mind that, in reading representative texts from other time periods, it is essential to think beyond our contemporary perspective and expectations; readers from these periods would have held perspectives and expectations that would be quite different from ours, and the very idea of “entertainment” would have been significantly different for a typical reader prior to the days of mass culture and reality television. In fact, the very idea of a “typical reader” would vary according to different historical moments, particularly before books were effectively mass-produced and literacy rates were relatively low. In other words, our goal in this course will be to approach these texts “on their own terms,” using them as a tool and a window into the history and development of Spanish culture.

Over the semester, we will also be incorporating other short readings (both literary and non-literary), as well as films, maps, photos, art work, and other additional materials to enhance our study of Spanish literature and culture.

Evaluation

Preparation and Participation 15%

3 Take-Home Essay Exams 45%

Presentations 15%

Paper 25%

Grading Scale:

93-100 A 87-89.9 B+ 77-79.9 C+ 60-69.9 D

90-92.9 A- 83-86.9 B 73-76.9 C 0-59.9 F

80-82.9 B- 70-72.9 C-

S/N—A minimal grade of 70% required to pass the course.

Assignment/Preparation Assignment/Preparation

1/18	Intro
1/20	Lazarillo ix-xv/ 3-32
1/25	Lazarillo 33-88
1/27	Lazarillo 89-118 Cervantes 181-193 Assign Exam 1
2/1	Cervantes 195-252
2/3	Cervantes 85-120
2/8	Cervantes 19-84
2/10	Cervantes 147-193 **Presentation
2/15	Galdós Hand in Exam 1
2/17	Galdós
2/22	Galdós **Presentation
2/24	Galdós
3/1	Galdós Pardo-Bazán Assign Exam 2
3/3	Unamuno 3-85
3/8	Unamuno 86-146 **Presentation
3/10	Unamuno 147-236
3/15-3/17	Spring Break
3/22	Unamuno 237-332
3/24	Lorca 5-19 (Act I) Turn in Exam 2
3/29	Lorca 20-35 (Act II)
3/31	Lorca 36-47 (Act III)
4/5	Martín Gaite 1-66
4/7	Martín Gaite 67-93
4/12	Martín Gaite 95-176 **Presentation
4/14	Martín Gaite 177-215
4/19	Pérez Reverte 1-68
4/21	Pérez Reverte 69-112
4/26	Pérez Reverte 113-185 Assign Exam 3
4/28	Pérez Reverte 186-236 **Presentation
5/3	Pérez Reverte 237-312
5/5	Pérez Reverte 313-362