SPAN 410: Survey of Spanish Literature 1
Prerequisites: Spanish 300 and Spanish 320 or equivalent
Credit Hours: (3)
Introduction to most important writers and literary movements of Spain from the Middle Ages through the Golden Age. Taught in Spanish.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course will give students a comprehensive view of Spanish literature from the tenth- to the seventeenth-century Spain. A discussion of historical and political events is followed by an analysis of important literary selections from different epochs. The order of coverage of the topics is as follows.
Course content:
I. Medieval Spanish Literature.
II. Golden Age Spanish Literature (16th and 17th Century).
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and requires active participation. Although one third of the contact hours would have to be categorized as 鈥渓ecture,鈥� about two thirds of class time is devoted to open discussion of selected topics either in groups of three students or in a general class setting. After discussing the assigned readings, students are asked to watch a film on some of the literary works studied and to prepare a paper comparing the artistic and literary value of both mediums. In addition, students will be required to give an oral report on one of the topics assigned and to write one ten- page paper or two to three shorter papers in Spanish dealing with either one of the literary movements or with an author studied in class. The Modern Language Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is recommended regarding the preparation of research papers and written reports. Students will also be required to conduct research exercises using World Wide Web resources, such as: www.ole.es, www.cvc.cervantes.es, www.abc.es, www.elpais and other World Wide Web links related to Spanish literature and culture.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. Students should be able to understand a variety of first-rate works of Spanish
literature, beginning with the Medieval period and ending with the Golden Age.
2. will acquire critical methods for analyzing a literary text and for writing a research
paper.
3. will be able to discuss concrete and abstract topics in Spanish.
4. will develop synthesizing skills on an advanced level.
5. will develop reading comprehension skills in Spanish with texts dealing with literary
information on Medieval and Golden Age Spain.
6. should improve their oral, written, listening and reading skills in Spanish by
finding and analyzing information about Spanish life, culture and literature in the
Medieval period and the Golden Age.
7. should demonstrate knowledge of the names and contributions of important figures
of the Spanish Middle Ages and Golden Age.
8. should demonstrate knowledge of the relative chronology of Spanish literature until
1700.
Assessment Measures
Evaluation is based on participation in individual and team reports and other classroom activities involving assigned readings, outside of the class period assignments (research exercises and short term papers reporting on analyses of additional readings), quizzes, hour exams and a final exam. Listening, speaking, writing and reading comprehension are tested in class communication activities, oral reports and written assignments.
Other Course Information
Foreign Language majors with an option in Spanish are required to include at least two 400-level courses into their program of studies. Spanish 410 is one of the courses on that level. In addition, this course may be taken to fulfill part of the general education requirements in English.
Suggested text: Literatura espa帽lola. Una antologia. De los on genes hasta 1700 (Volume 1) by David W. Foster. New York: Garland Publishing, 1996.
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2001 Reviewed Bernadine Banning