Cultural Myths and Spanish Literature

Course Information

Program(s):

Madrid - Language & Area Studies

Discipline(s):

Literature

Terms offered:

Fall

Credits:

Language of instruction:

Spanish

Contact Hours:

Prerequisites:

None

Description:

Spanish Literature has generated a significant number of literary myths in Western literature; these myths have been found in other literary works and have been noted in many imitations. El Quijote is a prime example, as well as others like Don Juan, whose image is seen in Molière, Goldoni, Mozart, Lord Byron, Pushkin. This course will explore these and other myths in Spanish literature and their importance in selected works of Western literature.

Attendance policy:

Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related excursions. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses more than two classes in any course half a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Seven absences in any course will result in a failing grade.

Learning outcomes:

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

Know the main myths of Spanish Literature
Know the influence of these myths in the configuration of Spanish thought
Know the influence of these myths in other literary traditions
Use specific tools for the textual and dramatical analyses
Analyze from a critical point of view a performance related to the material covered in class.

Method of presentation:

Introductory lectures on major themes and relevant background information; discussion of the works and commentaries by students, and attendance to performances related to the material covered in class. Active class participation is required.

Field study:

Students will attend a relevant show to be determined by the instructor.

Required work and form of assessment:

Written commentaries and analyses of the works throughout the course: 30%
Discussion of the assigned plays: 10%
Midterm: 25%
Final exam: 35%

content:

Week	Content	Required Readings
Week 1	What is a myth? Emergence of myths as national identity	None
Week 2	Relevant information about Celestina (character, origin...) Discussion about Celestina as an anti-heroic woman	First half of La Celestina reading sections
Week 3	Discussion other Celestina's characters The "Pícaro" as symbol of Spanish Empire decadence	Second half of La Celestina reading sections
Week 4	Main features of picaresque novel Showing of Lázaro de Tormes, film by Fernando Fernán-Gómez	None
Week 5	Analyse of Lazarillo de Tormes Don Quijote: genesis of an inmortal character	Selection of Lazarillo de Tormes First half of the Don Quijote reading sections.
Week 6	Don Quijote: madness and humanistic sanity	Second half of the Don Quijote reading sections
Week 7	International significance of Don Quijote Showing of Don Quijote, film by Orson Welles	None
Week 8	El burlador de Sevilla or the birth of a seducer Don Juan Tenorio and the women	First & Second act of El burlador de Sevilla
Week 9	Other Donjuanes showing of Entrevista con el vampiro: three models of donjuanism	Third act of El burlador de Sevilla
Week 10	Discussion about El burlador de Sevilla and its relations with Entrevista con el vampiro Carmen or Spanish woman from French perspective	None
Week 11	Other Spanish myths Showing of Carmen, film by Vicente Aranda	None
Session 12	Survival of myths today Review	None