Course Catalogue

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This course focuses on cultural representations (literature, cinema and art) of the Spanish Civil War, one of the major armed conflicts of the twentieth century, and Franco's dictatorship.

20 x 1 hour seminars over both semesters as scheduled in MyCampus.

This is one of the honours options in SMLC and may not run every year. The options which are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling the requirements for Honours entry into Spanish, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Time Limited Assignment to be completed over a 4-day period (1500 words) - 50%

■ Essay (2000 words) - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the time-limited assignment, but extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for examination adjustments).

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but an extension to the deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ introduce students to the causes, development and consequences of the conflict and the ways in which the historical trauma has been represented through the analysis of several films, novels, short stories and works of art;

■ explore through cultural representations the military rebellion and the Republic's response; the political, social and cultural aspects of the war, the reasons for the fall of the Republic and the Nationalist victory, the role of Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the relationship between General Franco and the Falange (Spain's fascist party) and the hunger years;

■ explore recent debates surrounding the transmission of historical memory and address how Spaniards have tried to come to terms with their traumatic past.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ discuss the causes and consequences of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath;

■ display a detailed knowledge of the films/novels selected and be able to place them in their social, historical and cultural context;

■ use historical and political terminology (communism, anarchism, fascism, etc.);

■ display an ability to implement different forms of critical analysis of films and texts (cultural, historical, socio-political, etc.);

■ make effective use of notes and secondary sources, and benefit from class discussion;

■ present arguments related to the films and texts studied in essays and examinations supported with appropriate critical evidence;

■ deploy appropriate research skills in preparing essays.