1. OBEJCTIVES
The objective of this course is to provide the student with knowledge and understanding of the main contributions of the Spanish-language literature of Spain, from its beginnings to the 17th century. Given that the time available is limited, the course will examine the principal movements in the literary activity of these centuries. Starting from the fundamental idea that adequate comprehension of a literary phenomenon is only possible through examining the texts themselves, special attention will be given to in-class reading, guided by the professor, of the proposed texts and to commentary and discussion of selected excerpts. In this manner, the student will be provided with the adequate context for understanding literary phenomena as it relates both to historical events and to the ideology or worldview unique to that period.
2. READINGS
In order to follow the course correctly, the student should read the selected texts as described in the course packet that can be obtained from the photocopy service (on the second floor of the Facultad de Filología). According to the level of Spanish reading and comprehension ability that the professor observes in the students, the professor may assign required readings of abridged or modernized versions of some of the main works from the literary periods studied in class.
3. TOPICS COVERED
A. MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
1. Historical context. Characteristics of medieval literature.
2. The beginnings of poetry in Romance language: The jarchas and the Galician-Portuguese cantigas.
3. Epic poetry: The Cantar de Mio Cid
4. Poetry of the educated poet: The mester de clerecía. Gonzalo de Berceo. El Arcipreste de Hita.
5. Medieval theatre: Theatricality of the medieval period. Problems in Spanish medieval theatre.
6. Prose fiction: Short stories. Conde Lucanor.
7. The Romancero and lyric poetry of the 15th century: Great poets of the 15th century: Jorge Manrique, Juan de Mena y el Marqués de Santillana.
8. Between Medieval and Renaissance, between theatre and novel: La Celestina.
B. GOLDEN AGE LITERATURE
1. Historical and social context.
2. 16th century poetry: Peninsular tradition and Italian influence. Garcilaso de la Vega. San Juan de la Cruz. Fray Luis de León.
3. Golden Age theatre. 16th century theatre: principal themes. 17th century theatre: the comedia nueva. Lope de Vega y Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
4. Golden Age narrative: main genres. The path to the modern novel: the picaresque. Lazarillo de Tormes. Guzmán de Alfarache.
5. Miguel de Cervantes: an overview of his work. Cervantes and the modern novel: the Novelas Ejemplares and Don Quijote de la Mancha.
6. Baroque poetry: principal trends. Lope de Vega. Francisco de Quevedo. Luis de Góngora.
4. BIBLIOGRAPHY
The brief biography that follows lists the general manuals that are most adequate to expand upon or contrast with the information presented in class. In class the professor will begin each topic with a recommended additional biography for each one of the main points. Consulting the additional biography is not required, however, it is recommended, because consulting it will develop the student's ability to obtain information for himself or herself, as well as to learn about points of view that are, on occasion, different from or complementary to that of the professor. All of the books indicated below can be easily obtained in the Joan Reglà Humanities Library, located behind the Facultad de Geografía e Historia and beside the Facultad de Filosofía.
A. MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
- Deyermond, Alan. Historia de la literatura española: 1. La Edad Media. Barcelona. Ariel.
- Deyermond, Alan (ed.). Historia y crítica de la literatura española: 1. La Edad Media. Barcelona. Crítica.
B. GOLDEN AGE LITERATURE
- R. O. Jones. Historia de la literatura española: 2. Siglos de Oro: Prosa y poesía. Barcelona. Ariel.
- Edward M. Wilson y Duncan Moir. . Historia de la literatura española: 3. Siglos de Oro: Teatro. Barcelona. Ariel.
- Francisco López Estrada (ed.), Historia y crítica de la literatura española: 2. Los Siglos de Oro. El Renacimiento. Barcelona. Crítica
- Bruce W. Wardropper (ed.) Historia y crítica de la literatura española: 2. Los Siglos de Oro. El Barroco. Barcelona. Crítica
5. EVALUATION
The student will take an exam at the end of the course term. The exam will consist of two questions to be developed into essay responses (three possible questions will be provided and the student must choose two of them) and a commentary on the characteristic aspects of a text belonging to one of the genres and movements studied in class. It will be a guided commentary, in which the professor will include some questions to be answered in order to guide the student's response.
This exam model may vary at the professor's discretion. In any case, the exam will be discussed in class and the professor will explain in detail the format of the exam and how to best prepare for it. The exam will be in Spanish, and spelling, written expression, and the coherence of the essays will be considered in the evaluation of the exam.
It is also possible that a short paper will be required, covering one of the points on the above list of topics covered or another topic that is not listed but that is relevant to the periods studied. The paper will be evaluated with a grade of up to two points, which can be added to the exam grade as long as the exam grade is higher than a four.
6. CLASS ATTENDANCE
It is mandatory to attend class. Students who miss more than three classes will lose the right to take the exam, and consequentially will receive a failing grade.
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