SPAN20210 Modern Novel and Short Story

Academic Year 2020/2021

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the study of Spanish narrative: two short novels and a themed anthology of short stories. It examines two major novels written in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), one ('Réquiem por un campesino español', by Ramón Sender) through the lens of anarchism, which was a mass movement in Spain during the Second Republic; the other ('Viejas historias de Castilla la Vieja'', by Miguel Delibes) from a more contemporary green perspective. Each novel depicts a young protagonist maturing in a rural setting and broaches issues relating to personal fulfilment and community. The module additionally considers a collection of contemporary short stories on the theme of couples in love: 'Amantes y enemigos: cuentos de parejas' (1998), by Rosa Montero.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will be able: to be independent readers of modern novels and short stories in Spanish; to demonstrate the skills needed to analyse them in terms of character, theme, technique and cultural contextualization both in writing and (depending on class size) by means of oral presentation; to demonstrate close reading abilities, using appropriate critical terms, based primarily on individual readings of the Spanish texts and informed, where appropriate, by a discriminating and open engagement with secondary critical sources. They will have extended the writing skills they developed at level 1 by composing (including under exam conditions) coherently argued essays or critical commentaries expressed in accurate language. In addition, the reading in Spanish of the prescribed texts should substantially advance the student's linguistic competency in the target language.

Indicative Module Content:

Students must cover all three authors: Sender, Delibes and Montero. They should acquire their own copy of their selected texts and read them closely, preferably before the module commences.

The lectures begin with a consideration of the Second Spanish Republic (1931-36), then spend 3 weeks on Sender, 3 on Delibes and 3 on Montero. There will be a Class Test in week 7 (a critical commentary on a passage from the Sender novel). There will be a coursework essay, and a 2-hour exam at the end of the trimester.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

21

Specified Learning Activities

40

Autonomous Student Learning

46

Total

107

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Taught by lecture and seminar. The Class Test provides an opportunity for written feedback prior to the coursework essay. In turn, written feedback on the coursework essay prepares the student for the written exam.

It is currently envisaged that contact hours will be conducted partly in the physical and partly in the virtual classroom and will be directed by the university timetable. It will be possible to participate fully online if required and students who are unable to attend physical classes will be fully supported in their learning. All students are expected to engage fully with online classes as scheduled in the timetable. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

A good level of Spanish language proficiency (Level B1 of the European Framework, or its equivalent) is required.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 1300-word essay Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

35

Examination: 2-hour written examination. 2 answers required. Week 12 Yes Graded No

50

Class Test: Critical commentary on a passage. Week 7 n/a Graded No

15


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written and oral feedback will be given during the trimester to students on the Class Test and coursework essay.