CONTEMPORARY SPANISH

LITERATURE FILM & COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course presents the ideological and cultural shifts in Spain before, during, and after the Franco dictatorship through literature and film from the beginning of the 20th century to present day. In this [SPAN 403] course, we’ll situate the diverse country in its Fall 2020 | T &TH | 12:00-1:15 European and world contexts through a variety of literary works and film productions. We will continue R. Tyler Gabbard-Rocha developing critical thinking tools as a means of Email: [email protected] studying the human condition and familiarize Office: SC G003 ourselves with the literary and artistic styles, Office Hours: Tuesday 10:45- movements, periods, ideologies, and cultural 11:45; Friday 11:00- influences that produced these works in order to 12:00; or by appointment relate them to the current world at large.

PREREQUISITES Students must have completed or be currently enrolled in Spanish VI.

OBJECTIVES There are several outcomes for this course. You will learn to interpret and critically analyze Spanish literature and film as demonstrated by the following goals: 1. You will be able to recognize and identify influential works of literature and film representing the contemporary canon. 2. Furthermore, you will learn to analyze these works using the appropriate terminology as they relate to sociocultural, historical, and literary movements. 3. Finally, you will learn to compare these works in their own context and in European and world contexts today, including your own experiences. P a g e | 2

REQUIRED TEXTS All texts are available on Canvas. You will need to bring the correct text to class each day, either in print or electronically. Films will be watched in the classroom.

NOVELAS Baroja, Pío. El árbol de la ciencia. Rodoreda, Mercè. La Plaza del Diamante.

CUENTOS Esteban Erlés, Patricia. Microrrelatos selectos. Matute, Ana María. Historias de la Artámila. Selecciones. Merino, José María. Microrrelatos selectos. Tomeo, Javier. Microrrelatos selectos.

POESÍA Aleixandre, Vicente. Poesía selecta. Fuertes, Gloria. Poesía selecta. García Lorca, Federico. Poesía selecta. Salinas, Pedro. Poesía selecta.

DRAMA Buero Vallejo, Antonio. Historia de una escalera. Fernán Gómez, Fernando. Las bicicletas son para el verano. Pedrero, Paloma. Resguardo personal.

CINE Y MÁS Almodovar, Pedro. ¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto? Bollaín, Iciar. Te doy mis ojos Buñuel, Luis. Un chien andalou Calvo, Javier y Javier Ambrossi. . Érice, Víctor. El espíritu de la colmena. García Berlanga, Luis. ¡Bienvenido Mr. Marshall!

P a g e | 3

COURSE REQUIREMENTS A variety of tasks are designed to help you learn the material and demonstrate your mastery of different topics

Comentarios de lectura 20% Participación profesional 20% Controles (5) 10% Análisis escritos (3) 15% Presentación (1) 10% Portafolio final 25%

COMENTARIOS DE LECTURA (TAREA): 20% Before coming to class, you are expected to have read any/all assigned assigned texts for that day (see calendar below). Write down and bring to class (to turn in) answers to the following questions: 1. Para ti, ¿cuál es el tema más importante del texto? Explica. 2. Comenta un detalle del texto que te pareció interesante, curioso, o discutible. Min. 25 palabras. Please write in complete sentences. Your comments will help us guide our conversations in class in addition to providing you with a way to engage with the text in a way that is most meaningful to you. There is no assigned text to read before class on the days we will be watching films in class, but your attendance is expected because you will have in-class assignments to complete those days. The final document is due before midnight on Canvas the day we finish the film.

PARTICIPACIÓN PROFESIONAL: 20% This course is taught entirely in Spanish, so your participation is important. This means more than just physical presence: it means coming to class prepared (having read the assigned text, brought it to class with your comments), actively participating in classroom activities, speaking in Spanish, and only working on material from this class during class time. Attendance is mandatory, and absences will lower this grade. See below for more on the attendance policy.

CONTROLES:10% Throughout the semester, we will be using specific terminology that you will be expected to know and use in our conversations and in-class activities as well as in your individual projects. There will be five brief quizzes to be completed on Canvas. Each quiz will be made available to you for one week, but once a quiz is started, you only have 30 minutes

P a g e | 4

to complete it. You will not be able to save your progress and continue later; it must be completed in one sitting.

ANÁLISIS ESCRITO: 15% As we advance through the literature and film in the course, we will practice different ways of analyzing, discussing, and commenting on these works in class. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate this on your own as well. There will be three brief written papers (each worth 5% of the final grade) that you will do on your own before a peer review session in class. After the peer review session, you will have time to make final revisions before uploading it on Canvas. The rubric and a detailed description of the task is available on Canvas.

PRESENTACIÓN: 10% You will be asked to give one presentation in Spanish during the semester about any one of the writers or directors. The presentation will be given on the same day that we discuss their work in class. This helps us contextualize the work from their perspective, which then allows us to relate this work to the culture in which it was produced. You are tasked with providing a biography of the writer or director and a trajectory of works (i.e. did they win any awards? Was everything published posthumously? Did they begin writing at 7 years old or at 40? Etc.). A detailed grading rubric and assignment description is available on Canvas.

PORTAFOLIO FINAL: 25% Rather than a final exam or a single large paper, the final portfolio is a more organic representation of your own personal work throughout the semester. A detailed grading rubric and project description is available on Canvas. This must be submitted on Canvas no later than 11:59 PM on Thursday, December 10. This will consist of five elements typed in Spanish: 1. Cover page (10 points). In addition to your name, this is a solid one-paragraph explanation of everything in the following pages. 2. Written analyses (50 points each, 150 total). These are revised versions of the three literary analyses you previously submitted earlier in the semester, including a paragraph explaining how you incorporated your professor’s feedback. 3. Comparative thematic analysis (50 points) in which you discuss a theme across two or more works. None of the works can be the same as those you chose for your written analyses, although the writer/director may be the same. This is the final version after in-class peer review. 4. Personal reflection (10 points) in which you discuss the work(s) we examined throughout the course that sparked the most interest for you, explaining why/how it interested you, how you may have felt identified in the work, how it can relate to your personal life, and more.

P a g e | 5

5. One new item (30 points) of your choosing among a variety of options (instructions and the rubric are on Canvas for each): a. Film review for a film you have not previously worked with. b. Literary analysis of a work you have not previously worked with. c. Comparative thematic analysis in which you discuss a theme across two or more works that are different from any of the previously chosen works, though they may be by the same writer/director. d. Group production: record your interpretation of an important scene from a play we read in class. This may require multiple classmates, but for each classmate, there must be at least three minutes of spoken dialogue by that student. For example, a scene with three students will be at least nine minutes long in which each student has a minimum of three minutes of their own dialogue. Even though it is a group project, each student will be graded individually for their part.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE All information about every assignment is already available on Canvas. The final portfolio project is designed to be completed in pieces throughout the semester in order to better distribute the workload throughout the sixteen weeks – this way, your final weeks of the semester should be lighter, but this does not mean that the portfolio should not be taken seriously. That said, I encourage you to decide on the additional pieces earlier on in the semester so that we can work together to produce your best work. The vocabulary quizzes are not designed to trick you. Because they are to be completed on Canvas, you are more than welcome to use your notes during the quiz, but I encourage you to study in advance: not only because of the time limit, but also because the terminology is fundamental to discussing literature in depth. You may not be used to reading literature in Spanish. Some of the readings might prove especially challenging, but that is perfectly fine. Class time is dedicated to working through the literature together, especially the more challenging aspects, which is why in- class discussion and questions is an important part of your success in this course. You will not be judged or criticized for not fully understanding the reading or mispronouncing something in Spanish, though you are expected to look up any words you do not understand while you read. If some of the readings seem long, remember that you don’t necessarily have to read it all in one sitting. Make sure you plan ahead and keep an eye on the schedule in order to plan your own personal reading schedule in time for class.

P a g e | 6

POLICIES

GENERAL COURSE POLICIES

OFFICE HOURS Students are encouraged to communicate with me in my office hours or via email with any questions regarding course material. My office hours are a time for you to come with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have about the course. If you have a conflict and are unable to come at the times listed on this syllabus, feel free to send me an email and offer an alternative time and I will happily schedule an appointment with you.

TECHNOLOGY Because some of the class materials are available online, you do not need to print the readings if you choose not to. Laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices are permitted in the class as long as they are being used exclusively for this class, and as long as you are maintaining professional participation in the course (see above). If your use of technology is detrimental to your learning or your peers’ learning, your professional participation grade will be penalized. Repetitive disruptions will ban the use of these devices altogether for the entire class.

THE TEXTS This is a literature class, so there is plenty of reading. You will be expected to bring the texts to class the day we discuss them. This can be in electronic format (i.e. on your laptop or tablet), or you may choose to print the text and bring a paper copy. Either way is perfectly fine – it’s just important that you have the text in front of you when we discuss it in class.

GRADING

GRADING SCALE

93-100 = A 83-86.99 = B 73-76.99 = C 63-66.99 = D 90-92.99 = A- 80-82.99 = B- 70-72.99 = C- 60-62.99 = D- 87-89.99= B+ 77-79.99 = C+ 67-69.00 = D+ <60 = F

CURVES AND EXTRA CREDIT This course is not graded on a curve. The grade category breakdown is above. Some assignments include options for extra credit, but keep in mind “extra” also means they would require extra work on your part. Up to a grand total of three percentage points are available. Details are available in the assignment descriptions.

P a g e | 7

ATTENDANCE In order to have meaningful discussions in class, your peers are relying on you to be present. As such, only two (2) unexcused absences are permitted without penalty. Missing more than three results in a 1% final grade reduction for each additional absence. So, if you accumulate five unexcused absences, your final grade will be reduced by 3%. More than eight unexcused absence results in automatic failure (i.e. the ninth absence constitutes automatic failure). As a courtesy, if you know you will be absent, please email me prior to the class you will miss whenever possible. Arriving late is sometimes unavoidable, and I am understanding of that. However, if you consistently arrive after class has begun, it is distracting to myself as well as your peers, and it will affect your grade. An excused absence includes University conflicts, documented illness, or other documented excuse as outlined by the University. These do not count against your grade. UAB’s attendance and excused absence policies can be found at: http://catalog.uab.edu/undergraduate/progresstowardadegree/#enrollmenttext

MISSED OR LATE WORK Missed or late work is not accepted under any circumstances except where a documented excuse is involved, and prior communication with the instructor is requested.

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE Academic dishonesty is not tolerated, which can include abetting, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and misrepresentation. The University expects all members of its academic community to function according to the highest ethical and professional standards, and violations of the Academic Honor Code are punishable by a range of penalties, from receiving a failing grade on an assignment to an F in the course to dismissal. Any course grade of F for academic misconduct supersedes any other grade or notation for that class. Withdrawal from a course while a possible violation of the Academic Honor Code is under review will not preclude the assignment of a course grade that appropriately reflects the student’s performance prior to withdrawal if the violation is substantiated.

ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATIONS The University strives to make learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, you are

P a g e | 8

welcome to let me know so that we can discuss options. You are also encouraged to contact the Disability Support Services.

NONDISCRIMINATION My classroom is committed to maintaining a community which recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach their own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity. The University believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life. The University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in the Student Conduct Code and the Title IX Office which provides specific contractual rights and remedies.

P a g e | 9

CALENDARIO ~ Lectura del día # subir a Canvas antes de medianoche » terminar el control antes de medianoche ese día * película que vemos en clase

Semana Fechas Temas del aula Lecturas y recordatorios El problema de España Martes 25 de Presentación de asignatura - agosto Asignación de presentaciones 1 “La teoría de la mente; emisor, ~El árbol de la ciencia, Baroja. Jueves 27 mensaje, receptor” Parte 1.

“La generación del 98” Martes 1 de ~El árbol de la ciencia, Baroja.

septiembre Partes 2-4. Presentación:______2 ~El árbol de la ciencia, Baroja. Jueves 3 “La generación del 98” Partes 5-7.

“La generación del 27” ~ Poesía selecta de Federico

García Lorca, Pedro Salinas, Martes 8 Presentación:______Vicente Aleixandre Presentación:______» control 1 Presentación:______3 “Luis Buñuel y el cine español”

Jueves 10 * Un chien andalou, dir. Luis Buñuel # actividad de Un chien andalou

Presentación:______

La Guerra Civil y la dictadura franquista

* ¡Bienvenido Mister Marshall!, dir. Luis García Berlanga, 1ª mitad 4 Martes 15

Presentación:______

P a g e | 10

* ¡Bienvenido Mister Marshall!, dir. # actividad de ¡Bienvenido Mr. Jueves 17 Luis García Berlanga, 2ª mitad Marshall!

“El teatro de la dictadura” Las bicicletas son para el

Martes 22 verano, parte I, Fernando Presentación:______Fernán Gómez

5 Las bicicletas son para el verano, parte II, Fernando Jueves 24 Fernán Gómez

» control 2

“El teatro de la dictadura (cont.)” Historia de una escalera, Acto I,

Antonio Buero Vallejo Martes 29 Presentación:______

(Trae al aula tu análisis escrito 1) Peer review 1 6

Historia de una escalera, Actos Jueves 1 de II y III, Antonio Buero Vallejo

octubre #análisis escrito 1

“El pueblo de la dictadura” * El espíritu de la colmena, dir. Víctor

Martes 6 Érice » control 3

7 Presentación:______

* El espíritu de la colmena, dir. Víctor # actividad de El espíritu de la Jueves 8 Érice colmena

“El pueblo (cont.)” Selecciones de Historias de la 8 Martes 13 Artámila, Ana María Matute Presentación:______

P a g e | 11

“La mujer, Cataluña y la dictadura”

La Plaza del Diamante, Jueves 15 Presentación:______Rodoreda. 1ª parte

La Plaza del Diamante, Martes 20 Peer review 2 Rodoreda. 2ª parte (Trae al aula tu análisis escrito 2) 9 La plaza del diamante, Rodoreda. 3ª parte Jueves 22

# análisis escrito 2 Final de la dictadura, la transición a la democracia, la movida madrileña y la España de hoy

Martes 27 Presentación:______Poesía selecta de Gloria Fuertes

10

Jueves 29 Presentación:______» control 4

“El cine nuevo” *¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer Martes 3 de esto?, dir. Almodóvar noviembre

11 Presentación:______# actividad de El espíritu de la *¿Qué he hecho yo para merecer Jueves 5 colmena esto?, dir. Almodóvar

“La movida madrileña” La estanquera de Vallecas, Martes 10 cuadros I-II, José Luis Alonso Presentación:______de Santos La estanquera de Vallecas, 12 cuadros III-IV, José Luis Alonso Jueves 12 Peer review 3 de Santos (Trae al aula tu análisis escrito 3) » control 5 “Violencia de género” * Te doy mis ojos, dir. Iciar Bollaín # análisis 3 13 Martes 17

Presentación:______

P a g e | 12

Jueves 19 # actividad de Te doy mis ojos * Te doy mis ojos, dir. Iciar Bollaín

Martes 24 14 [Acción de gracias – no hay clase]

Jueves 26 Nuevas direcciones: y el microrrelato

“¿Qué es un microrrelato?” ~Selecciones de Patricia Esten Martes 1 de Erlés, José María Merino, Javier diciembre Presentación:______Tomeo (BB)

15 “Hecho en España: Netflix”

Jueves 3 * Paquita Salas, y Javier Ambrossi Presentación:______Jueves 10 de 16 Proyecto final antes de las 23:59 diciembre

DISCLAIMER This syllabus is subject to change.