History of Spain through Media and Arts

Objectives:

This course is intended to provide the student with a general overview of Spanish history from the Middle Ages to current times via cinema. In order to understand contemporary Spanish society, the class focuses in some of the most impor tant aspects of the country’s History and analyses them through historical texts and movies. Students will be provided with some key historical overviews as well as with some filming notions so that they can analyze both the films technical characteristics as well as their historical representations. The main aim of this course is not only to teach the students how to analyze a movie, from an artistic point of view, but also to show them how cinema can be enjoyable and didactic at the same time while provid ing them with an increasing knowledge of Spanish culture and history.

Class description:

Students are introduced to key historical events and cultural movements that have shaped Spanish national identity as they explore the notion that history culture and civilization are concepts under constant construction through the analysis of films

Methodology:

The class will be organized on a seminar style basis. That is, the professor will count on students having read the assigned material beforehand (articles, handouts, news, etc.) and, therefore, coming to classprepared to debate. Students will read the historical or critic al overviews in advance on a permanent basis. In - depth comments, frequent participation, oral presentations and research papers will be the basis of the students work for this course. Active participation and attendance are essential and will play an active role in the final grade.