Spanish society has changed dramatically over the last decades: still shaped by the transition from Franco's dictatorship to a constitutional monarchy, it does not only grapple with the ghosts of its past but also with the effects of globalisations. This course explores contemporary Spanish society and culture through the lens of 21st-century narratives from and about Spain, including widely watched television series and bestsellers as well as fiction that is more appreciated in specific niche markets. Students will explore how narratives paint specific images of Spain drawing on current political and social issues that may typically include the economic situation, the national past, the situation of the LGBT community, race and migration.

20 x 1-hour sessions over both semesters as scheduled on 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.

None.

None.

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Report (1,000 words) - 20%

■ Essay (2,000 words) - 50%

■ Group presentation, within which each student in the group will talk for c5 minutes (15% group mark and 15% individual mark) - 30%

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 report and essay, but an extension to the deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ An individual contribution to the group slideshow with substantial presentation notes as an alternative to the group presentation.

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

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ explore social and political issues that are addressed in recent narratives;

■ analyse the ways in which Spanish society is represented in recent narratives;

■ position Spain within the broader context of European and global socio-cultural change, exploring the relationship between social change and culture at a general level.

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

■ use a wide range of sources of information critically and selectively, appreciating the difference between factual information and cultural products that are open to a wide range of interpretations;

■ analyse and contextualise a range of recent narrative fiction;

■ present orally and in writing arguments related to the topics studied, drawing on critical reading sources;

■ prepare essays using appropriate research skills.