Literature in Spain before 1700 (250-0-1)

Instructors

Alexandra Cook

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-440: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

This course offers a panoramic introduction to Iberian written and visual cultures during the medieval to and early modern periods (until 1700). Organized chronologically and guided by the methodology of close reading, we will analyze a wide range of concepts and topics relevant for understanding the multilingual, multireligious contexts in which literary and non-literary works were produced, including knowledge and magic; borders and hospitality; crisis and scandal; witnessing and narrative; gender and sexuality; the picaresque and social critique; fiction and history; race and slavery; the Inquisition and popular religiosity. Prerequisite: SPAN 200-0 or 204-0 (may be taken concurrently), OR have an AP score of 5 for heritage students, or an AP of 5 in both Spanish Language and Literature exams for non-heritage students, or sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: SPAN 200-0 or 204-0 (may be taken concurrently), OR have an AP score of 5 for heritage students, or an AP of 5 in both Spanish Language and Literature exams for non-heritage students, or sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam

Learning Objectives

-the basic historical arc as well as major themes and genres of Iberian cultural production from roughly 800 to 1700
-the ability to speak about the religious and linguistic complexity of the shifting mosaic of polities on the Iberian peninsula during this period
-the terminology and tools to read and interpret different kinds of literary and religious texts with balanced awareness of what they meant in their historical contexts and what they mean for our present.
-the ability to carry out a formal analysis of artifacts of visual and material culture.

Class Materials (Required)

All materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre/Co: SPANISH 200-0 or 204-0 (may be taken concurrently), OR have an AP score of 5 for heritage students, OR an AP of 5 in both the Spanish Language and Literature exams for non-heritage students, OR sufficient Spanish Language Placement Exam score.