Contemporary Spanish Literature
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course offers a fourth optional step in the diachronic study of Spanish Literature and it's aimed at both undergraduated and graduated students. It focuses on Spain's history, society and culture from the end of the Civil War (1939) to nowadays, including the francoist dictatorship (1939-1975), the political transition and the democratic era. It offers a multifaceted approach to Spanish contemporary literature, starting from some fundamental works in which literary writing is closely connected with historical environment and social changes. Special attention will be paid to how literature deals with Spain's astonishing progress during the democratic period, a crucial phase marked by the rise of a hyper-consumeristic society in a globalized market. In fact, in such complex circumstances, authors explore new forms of expression and techniques that lead to the hybridization of genres and the use of other languages in the literary context (music, films, television, new media, etc.).
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Essential outlines of Spain's contemporary history, from 1939 to nowadays; fundamental authors, literary movements and publishing phenomena in the Spanish book market; evolution of narrative, poetic and theatrical genres. Applying knowledge and understanding: Analytical reading, literary commentary, historical and critical contextualization of the most important contemporary Spanish authors and works. Implementation of critical skills and autonomous thinking, developing a full consciousness of how literature constantly interacts with history, culture, arts and society.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is entitled 'Spanish Literature from Francoism to the Present' and aims to provide a diachronic cultural overview of contemporary Spain from 1939 to the present day, placing literature in its historical and social context. It will explore the development of genres and poetics, the main phenomena, authors and works of the 20th century, as well as current forms of narrative and poetic expression and theatrical performance. Students will be offered a number of works of their choice, supported by critical commentary, for personal study.
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will study the syllabus of parts A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will prepare the full syllabus.The course syllabus is valid until September 2026.
Students interested in acquiring 6 cfu will study the syllabus of parts A and B; students interested in acquiring 9 cfu will prepare the full syllabus.The course syllabus is valid until September 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught in Spanish and so a good knowledge of Spanish language is essential, also because almost all the books, articles and texts on the syllabus will be in Castilian. Advanced skills in literary history, the use of specific terminology and critical analysis are also required. From a chronological point of view, the period to be covered follows that studied in Spanish Literature 3.
Teaching methods
The course uses the following teaching methods: frontal teaching; reading and commenting on narrative and poetic texts, essays and theatrical extracts from the works on the syllabus; seminar discussions; possible individual or group voluntary work; viewing and commenting on short documentaries or plays. Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
The reference manual for the whole course is "Letteratura spagnola contemporanea", di Danilo Manera (coord.), Marina Bianchi, Giuliana Calabrese, Simone Cattaneo, Simone Trecca (Milano, Pearson, 2020; ISBN 9788891906311).
The course has a page on the MyAriel online platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4070), to which both attending and non-attending students are referred, in order to consult the detailed syllabus that will be uploaded by the professor. It will include the reference bibliography, the list of works from which students will be able to choose some, and critical articles for further study.
The course has a page on the MyAriel online platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=4070), to which both attending and non-attending students are referred, in order to consult the detailed syllabus that will be uploaded by the professor. It will include the reference bibliography, the list of works from which students will be able to choose some, and critical articles for further study.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an individual interview with questions posed by the professor, interaction between the professor and the student, and the analysis and commentary of some passages from the works on the syllabus. For "Lingue e Letterature Straniere (LT and LM)" students, it will be held in Spanish to test the development of appropriate language skills in the field of literary studies. Students from other degree courses may take it in Italian.
The aim of the interview is to test knowledge and understanding of the texts, the ability to contextualise authors and works, the ability to express oneself, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to reflect critically and personally on the questions proposed. The final mark will be on a scale up to 30 and the student has the right to refuse (in which case it will be recorded as 'withdrawal').
International students or incoming Erasmus students are asked to contact the professor as soon as possible. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the professor and the relevant office.
The aim of the interview is to test knowledge and understanding of the texts, the ability to contextualise authors and works, the ability to express oneself, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the ability to reflect critically and personally on the questions proposed. The final mark will be on a scale up to 30 and the student has the right to refuse (in which case it will be recorded as 'withdrawal').
International students or incoming Erasmus students are asked to contact the professor as soon as possible. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the professor and the relevant office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday: from 10.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Piazza S. Alessandro 1, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, 2nd floor. It is also possible to arrange a meeting on the platform Microsoft Teams by sending an e-mail to the following address: [email protected]