HP232-15 Screening Spain: Spanish Film in Context
Introductory description
This course provides a detailed introduction to Spanish film from the 1950s until the present day. It explores the ways in which Spanish cinema has frequently explored, constructed and problematized Spanish nationhood across a diverse range of cinematic movements and genres.
Module aims
In studying the works of key directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Alex de la Iglesia and Carlos Saura, the course considers how Spanish film has responded to key moments, crises and contradictions in Spanish history. The course will consider the practices of both Spanish art cinema and popular cinema alike, and closely examine these trends within
their sociohistorical, political and industrial contexts.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
El espíritu de la colmena (Víctor Erice, 1973)
Carmen (Carlos Saura, 1983)
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Pedro Almodóvar, 1988)
Vacas (Julio Medem, 1992)
Los lunes al sol (Fernando León, 2002)
Balada triste de trompeta (Alex de la Iglesia, 2010)
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- - a keen understanding of the development of Spanish film, across various genres, aesthetic movements and historical periods
- - an ability to apply detailed textual analysis to cinematic texts and relate them to wider social and industrial contexts and discourses
- - a sound understanding of the ways in which Spanish film has reflected upon and contested questions of national identity
- - an ability to consider how the aesthetics of Spanish film have responded to historical, social and industrial change
- Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence
- Ability to access, read and critically analyse primary and secondary source materials in target language
- Familiarity with the methodologies and approaches appropriate to the discipline.
- Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence
Indicative reading list
El espíritu de la colmena (Víctor Erice, 1973)
Carmen (Carlos Saura, 1983)
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Pedro Almodóvar, 1988)
Vacas (Julio Medem, 1992)
Los lunes al sol (Fernando León, 2002)
Balada triste de trompeta (Alex de la Iglesia, 2010)
View reading list on Talis Aspire
International
All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than that of the UK and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from a non-Anglophone context. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of visiting exchange students in the classroom and will frequently engage with theoretical and critical frameworks from across the world.
Subject specific skills
This module will develop students’ linguistic skills through engaging with primary materials in the target language. It will build students’ capacity to engage with aspects of Hispanic culture through analysis of this primary material and through seminar discussion aimed at deeper critical thinking. In particular, students’ awareness of Spanish film will be enhanced through lectures and seminars which engage in scholarship in the field.
Transferable skills
All SMLC culture modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from target-language cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both English and their target language(s), intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both English and the target language(s), personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 11 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Seminars | 11 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 128 hours (85%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Close commentary | 25% | Yes (extension) | |
|
1,000-1,250 words close commentary |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Assessed essay | 75% | Yes (extension) | |
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3,000-3,500 word essay |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided in the course of the module in a number of ways. Feedback should be understood to be both formal and informal and is not restricted to feedback on formal written work.
Oral feedback will be provided by the module tutor in the course of seminar discussion. This may include feedback on points raised in small group work or in the course of individual presentations or larger group discussion.
Written feedback will be provided on formal assessment using the standard SMLC Assessed Work feedback form appropriate to the assessment. Feedback is intended to enable continuous improvement throughout the module and written feedback is generally the final stage of this feedback process. Feedback will always demonstrate areas of success and areas for future development, which can be applied to future assessment. Feedback will be both discipline-specific and focussed on key transferrable skills, enabling students to apply this feedback to their future professional lives. Feedback will be fair and reasonable and will be linked to the SMLC marking scheme appropriate to the module.
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.