Unit information: An Atlantic Cinema: Spanish-language directors and films in 2011/12

Unit name	An Atlantic Cinema: Spanish-language directors and films
Unit code	HISP31028
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Ginger
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will examine a series of important Spanish-language films and directors from early cinema onwards. It will consider how Spanish-language cinema is often defined by a tension or interplay between 'European' and 'American' influences and movements. The popularity of Hollywood, the inspiration of European art cinema and visual movements, the Atlantic nature of much Spanish-language culture since the conquest of the Americas, and the specific circumstances of Spanish-language contexts all contribute to an ongoing, self-conscious reflection throughout the history of Spanish-language cinema on the appropriate direction for Spanish-language directors to take.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to final year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level I.

• To equip students with the skills to undertake postgraduate study in a relevant field.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;

• will have advanced skills in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;

• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at an advanced level;

• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an advanced level of complexity;

• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including postgraduate study.

Teaching Information

Two seminar hours per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours).

Assessment Information

One of the following:

a) A written assignment of 3000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)

b) A written assignment of 3000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)

c) One written assignment of 6000 words (or equivalent)

d) Two written assignments of 3000 words (50% each)

e) One oral presentation (25%) plus one written assignment of 1500 words (25%) plus one written assignment of 3000 words (50%).

Reading and References

Dir. Elías, El misterio de la Puerta del Sol

Dir. Berlanga, Bienvenido Míster Marshall

Dir. Bardem, Calle Mayor

Dir. Buñuel, Robinson Crusoe

Dir. Buñuel Viridiana

Dir. Buñuel Belle de jour/Bella de día

Dir. Erice, El espíritu de la colmena

Dir. Almodóvar, La ley del deseo

Dir. Amenábar, Los otros/The Others

Additional prescribed readings for seminar topics in coursebook