Undergraduate study

Undergraduate 

Spanish MA

Contemporary Spanish Cinema HISP4108

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Modern Languages and Cultures
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course aims to provide an introduction to Spanish cinema through analysis of a number of selected films by directors such as Pedro Almódovar, Luís Buñuel, Alejandro Amenábar, Icíar Bollaín, Víctor Erice, Fernando Trueba, Fernando León and Julio Medem.

Timetable

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.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Film review (700 words) - 20%

■ Analysis of a film clip (800 words) - 30%

■ 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 film review, analysis, and 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.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ introduce Spanish cinema through analysis of selected films by directors such as Pedro Almódovar, Luís Buñuel, Alejandro Amenábar, Icíar Bollaín, Víctor Erice, Fernando León and Julio Medem;

■ explore the influence of cultural, social, economic, political and aesthetic factors on film production and reception;

■ analyse film language and explore issues such as the construction of national identity, gender, auteur cinema and the interface of Spanish cinema with Hollywood;

■ make students aware of the role that cinema has played in Spanish culture from the 1960s to the present.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ analyse and historically contextualise a range of films;

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

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

■ deploy appropriate research skills in preparing essays.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions