This course will explore a number of theories related to life writing, in particular the theory and practice of
autobiography and autofiction, and will apply these concepts in the analysis of a variety of contemporary Spanish
texts. It will focus on a representative selection of autofictional texts by contemporary Spanish writers, such as
Rosa Montero, Javier Cercas, Carmen Martin Gaíte, Paloma Díaz-Mas and Kirmen Uribe. As well as evaluating a
variety of significant trends in contemporary Spanish literature, the course will take into account the socio-cultural,
historical and literary context of post-Franco Spain, including the country’s ‘memory debates’ and the Law of
Historical Memory, the changes in the publishing industry, the boom in women’s writing and the general
characteristics of the post-Franco Spanish novel.
In order to read the Spanish texts, the minimum entry level for this course is B1/B2 on the CEFR. The course
builds on the critical and analytic skills that students will have developed in Studies Modules in Years 1 and 2.
Having previously studied either CULT2013 Intercultural Studies or MED2019 World Cinema may be an
advantage as students who have successfully completed those will either have some knowledge of cultural
representation and/or of critical approaches to the study of film as a cultural product.
Students will read/view a selection of 6-8 literary texts, and, where applicable, their film adaptations, such as
for example:
Carmen Martín Gaite: El cuarto de atrás
Rosa Montero: La loca de la casa
Rosa Montero: La ridícula idea de no volver a verte
Paloma Díaz-Mas: Como un libro cerrado
Esther Tusquets: Habíamos ganado la guerra
Javier Cercas: Soldados de Salamina
David Trueba: Soldados de Salamina
Kirmen Uribe: Bilbao, New York, Bilbao
Theories of life writing, autofiction, autobiography and historical memory studies will be used as a critical lens
through which to analyse the texts and, where applicable, their film adaptation(s). The module will address
questions in relation to: individual, collective and historical memory, autobiographical memory, narrative
identity, fact versus fiction, and national and gender identity.
Small group teaching in which staff input is in the form of introduction to primary materials and key concepts
from the secondary reading as a means of stimulating in-class discussion and future reading.
E-learning
All basic course information and many of the primary materials studied will be available online, normally
through Brightspace
Module delivery duration
The module is normally delivered over two semesters, two contact hours per week.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |