Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Dr Philippa Page

• Owning School: Modern Languages
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

In consonance with the overall aim of the degrees offered in the SML, this module aims to contribute
to students’ broad-based knowledge of contemporary Spanish culture. It will build on skills gained at
Stages 1 and 2 through studying a range of literary, dramatic and cinematic expressions of the memory of the Civil War and Francoism.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module draws on material in Spanish and explores how literature, theatre and film have contributed to and shaped debates addressing how the memory of the Civil War and Francoism should be expressed and represented. It will address questions of how to read and interpret literary, dramatic and filmic texts in the light of broader theoretical debates concerning the collective memory of dictatorship. Particular emphasis will be placed on transnational and multidirectional approaches to Memory Studies, whereby contemporary works attempt to establish productive dialogues with other memories of authoritarianism - most notably in this case the Holocaust. The module aims to provide an introduction to key conceptualisations of memory that have characterised the evolving interdisciplinary field of Memory Studies, as well as how approaches to memory have evolved in Spain since 1975. Understanding cultural memory as the way in which the past shapes and informs a society in the present, the module will evolve to remain up to date the most contemporary debates about the past. The module is comparative in spirit and assessed essays will be required to compare different literary genres/media. The module is taught in English, with certain activities in Spanish.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures, which will be delivered in the form of non-synchronous lecture materials and learning activities, will allow definition of the scope of the syllabus, give an introduction to a body of knowledge, and model suitable critical approaches within the framework of Memory Studies. These lecture materials will make use of PowerPoint, podcast style recordings, and structured activities that encourage close engagement with both primary and secondary materials. These materials and activities should serve as a foundation to support students’ own independent study and assessment preparation. Synchronous online and in-person sessions will take the form of small-group teaching to provide the students with the opportunity to discuss a topic individually and in groups, present their ideas and develop their independent thinking and critical analysis as they engage interactively in debate. Online guided learning activities seek to bridge the gap between lecture materials and independent study by offering some structure to independent study tasks, such as secondary reading and close film analysis.

All knowledge outcomes are addressed by the mix of synchronous interactive and non-synchronous guided learning formats. The module is taught and assessed in ENGLISH, with materials in English and Spanish and some interactive activities in Spanish. Drop-in surgery hours provide a space for individual feedback and support.

Assessment Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Formative Assessments

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The module will be taught in one semester and is assessed in English . The formative commentary assignment will train students to engage closely with the text in order to help them better select supporting analysis for their argument in the essay. The assessed essay will help students to develop analytical, organisational and presentation skills, as they will be asked to structure and express a clear and coherent argument based on a comparative approach which includes at least two of the texts studied. This comparative approach will require locating the texts in their shared historical and cultural context and using relevant concepts from Memory Studies to establish the comparative dialogue between them.

* (continued from above) writing up a close textual analysis of a pre-released passage from a literary text studied on the module.

Reading Lists

• SPA4006's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• SPA4006's Timetable