Module Code - Title:
SP4001
-
WHO ARE THE SPANIARDS? INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH CULTURE
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The development of Spanish culture has been marked by different attempts at constructing a national identity in different forms, from the attempts at uniformity promoted by the Spanish Empire ûthen re-appropriated by the dictatorship of Francisco Franco- to the re-construction of an identity directed towards the integration of Spain in Europe and, more recently, the attempts to construct an identity which integrates both past and present.
Accordingly, the module will pay special attention to the cultural impact of the end of the Spanish Empire, the Spanish Civil War and the Transition to Democracy.
After completion of this module, students will have achieved a general but solid knowledge of the main socio-political processes in Spanish history and their effects on and interaction with literary and film production, as well as other forms of culture.
Syllabus:
This module offers an introduction to the most important events and movements in Spanish culture. It focuses mainly on the cultural impact of the Spanish Empire, the Spanish Civil War, the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, and the Transition to Democracy. Through the use of literature, music, film and other forms of culture, the module will serve as a platform for the exploration of up-to-date socio-political issues in Spain and their effect on cultural production.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Identify the major cultural movements in Spain.
Explain the relationship between socio-political developments and cultural movements in the Spanish case.
Demonstrate a general but solid knowledge of the main socio-political processes in Spanish history.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate an in-depth awareness of the main variables in the development of Spanish Culture.
Discuss the effect of the main historical events on Spanish cultural production from the
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module consists of one weekly lecture where the main items of the syllabus are introduced, and two tutorials where students will be exposed to different cultural artefacts in order to analyse them and relate them to the main issues dealt with in the lectures. Students will also have the opportunity to explore related items through a number of sources (Internet, written and filmic texts) and will develop their own analytical skills by applying the knowledge in a number of group and individual projects.
Prime Texts:
Richardson, B. (2001)
Spanish Studies-An Introduction
, Arnold
Hooper, J. (1995)
The New Spaniards
, Penguin
Ruiz Zafón, C. (2001)
The Shadow of the Wind
, Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Ruiz Zafón, C. (2001)
La sombra del viento
, Planeta
Other Relevant Texts:
Aguilar Fernández, P. (2000)
Memory and Amnesia: The Role of the Spanish Civil War in the Transition to Democracy
, Berghahn Books
Carr, R. (2000)
Spain, a History
, OUP
Preston, P. (2006)
The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge
, Harper Perennial
Jordan, B. and M. Allinson (2005)
Spanish Cinema; A Student¿s Guide
, Hodder Arnold
Labanyi, J. and H. Graham (Eds) (1995)
Spanish Cultural Studies. An Introduction. The Struggle for Modernity
, OUP
Elliott, J.H. (2002)
Imperial Spain: 1469-1716
, Penguin
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY, POLITICS, SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
alba.p.perez@ul.ie