SPAN3331: TILTING AT WINDMILLS: CERVANTES IN CONTEXT

• Spanish Language 2A (SPAN2011) OR Spanish Language 2B (SPAN2111) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

• Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Spanish Language 4 (SPAN3011) or Spanish Language 4 following Year Abroad (SPAN3121). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative

• None.

• This module offers an in-depth analysis of the cultural production of early modern Spain and particularly focuses on Miguel de Cervantes, Spains most celebrated writer;
• It aims to provide a detailed understanding of the currents of containment and subversion which characterise literary output in Golden Age Spain as well as the socio-cultural and political context in which this literature was produced;
• It aims to appraise Cervantes as a writer working against the grain of contemporary narrative and dramatic conventions and, more significantly, against the ideological infrastructure of seventeenth-century Spain;
• It aims to assess issues of identity (individual, collective and national) as represented by Cervantes within the context of current criticism which argues against a homogenous early modern Spain;
• It aims to explore issues of and theories of reception: it will position Cervantes within his own time and place to determine the implications of his challenging of dominant ideology for a contemporary readership/audience.

• The texts will focus on Cervantess prose and drama and will lay emphasis on those texts (especially the Ocho comedias) traditionally excluded from scholarly analysis of the Cervantine canon;
• These texts will be complemented by a selection of critical readings on the author, early modern Spain (which will include socio-cultural, historical and political perspectives) as well as engage with appropriate current critical trends in Golden Age studies.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural, historical and political landscape of Golden-Age Spain
• Demonstrate sound understanding of Cervantes as author and dramatist

Subject-specific Skills:

• Make a discerning response to representative texts of the period and relate these to their cultural context
• Argue at length and in detail about an aspect of the topic, supporting the argument with evidence from the text with opinions from secondary literature
• Assess and evaluate critically secondary reading material and other relevant resources
• Develop skills in close textual reading

Key Skills:

• Undertake independent research
• Construct critical arguments and develop analytical skills
• Demonstrate ability to combine a variety of IT skills in researching and reporting on a topic (Word, PowerPoint, Internet etc.)

• Weekly lectures will deliver key content
• Fortnightly seminars with smaller groups will allow for individual presentations and active discussions

In seminar classes students are expected to contribute actively to class discussions and engage with exercises based on set questions and reading materials. As formative preparation for the summative assignments, students have the opportunity to present a short piece of their own guided research on certain aspects of the primary materials.

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