SPA 264 The Making of Spain
TAUGHT IN SPANISH. In this course we will explore the civilization and society that constitute Spain, from a historical, political and cultural perspective. We will focus on different ways of understanding how the idea of "Spain" - as an empire and global power - has been represented and reframed over the centuries. We will start by analyzing the 2021 documentary "Spain, the First Globalization" [España, la primera globalización], which became a social phenomenon in Spain and from there we will emphasize controversial narratives and memories that have shaped the Spanish discourse of national identity. We will read about the forging of the Spanish empire through a comparative analysis with Roman, Russian and U.S. global domination. We will continue by examining narratives that criticize oppression and try to create a more inclusive space of coexistence. We will read the stories and memoirs of Lucía Asué Mbomío Rubio and Desirée Bela-Lobedde, that of Chinese-Spanish singer Chenta Tsai, as well as graphic novels by Chinese-Spanish writer Chan Zhou Wu, or by Javier de Isusi, who chronicles exile narratives based on real facts. Through the graphic novel "Barcelona: Los vagabundos de la chatarra" and the novel "Los asquerosos" we will situate the urban ecology of major cities (Barcelona and Madrid, respectively) within the global ecosocial crisis. We will watch music videos, documentaries and talk about the controversial use of flamenco by singer Rosalía. Finally, through the essay "Ofendiditos" by Lucía Lijtmaer, we will analyze the reactions that these narratives generate in the Spanish and global climate. Pre-requisite:
SPA 220 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite
SPA 220 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor