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Historical Memory in the Spanish-speaking World - LAN00013I

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Ms. Maria Muradas-Taylor
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will look into different dictatorships in Spanish-speaking countries and will reflect on the cultural, social, and historical consequences they had in society through the reflection of literature, music, cinema and the plastic arts. The student will look into human rights and social justice in the Hispanic world in the XX and XXI centuries, highlighting the Historic Memory and collective histories and their importance in democratic societies. The course will give the students the opportunity to explore the richness of social compromise in Spain and Latin America.

Related modules

Pre-requisite: Understanding Spanish-speaking Cultures and Societies.

Open as an elective for students with equivalent level in Spanish.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims to increase students’ awareness of key historical events of the Spanish speaking world and how those have shaped those societies today. It aims to engage students with a variety of sources (audio visuals, historical texts, paintings, poetry, music, and personal testimonies) in order to have a more personal/empathetic understanding of the importance of collective memories in society. It will help develop students' ability to research, analyse, present and synthesise different types of sources from a critical perspective. The medium of instruction is Spanish.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate general knowledge of the key aspects on the topic

  • Develop an understanding of some historical aspects and their significance

  • Understand a wide range of written and aural authentic materials; including audiovisual and digital text - newspapers, political discourse, or scholarly articles.

  • Ability to explain the background to and interpret and discuss aspects of cultural values and practices drawing on intercultural encounters, reading, film, art, poetry etc.

  • Ability to make connections between historical events and literary and artistic representation of those events.

  • Present and develop arguments effectively in both spoken and written Spanish

  • Achieve a good level of accuracy in the production of both written and spoken Spanish.

Module content

All the lessons are conducted as seminars in order to encourage discussion and interaction. Therefore, completing weekly tasks in preparation for class discussion is an essential part of students’ commitment.

General topics to cover: Spain, Chile, Argentina

  • The importance of Historical Memory

  • Official history vs. Collective history

  • Dictatorships and the effects impunity in democratic societies

  • Spain

  • Chile

  • Argentina

  • The importance Historical Memory and the recovery of the collective memory

  • The voices of the memory and histories

  • The process and benefits of historical healing

A detailed syllabus will be provided by the tutors at the beginning of the module.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Open paper		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Historical Memory in the Spanish-speaking World		 4 hours 70

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Open paper		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Historical Memory in the Spanish-speaking World		 4 hours 70

Module feedback

  1. Formative assessment and feedback

  • Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module

  • Feedback will include written comments for written formative work

  • Oral feedback during class discussions.

  1. Summative assessment and feedback

  • Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

The module will use the following resources:

Films:

  • La lengua de la mariposa

  • Los girasoles ciegos

  • El caso Pinochet

  • El silencio de otros

Poetry:

  • Agosin, Marjorie. ‘Lo más increíble’, ‘Cuando me enseño su fotografía’

  • Fuentes, Magdalena. ‘Hay soldados por todas partes’.

  • Machado, Antonio/. ‘Las dos Españas’

Documents:

  • Allende, Salvador. ‘El último discurso’

  • Campoamor, Clara. ‘El debate femenino’

Paintings:

  • Berni, Antonio. ‘Revelación sobre papel’

  • Dali, Salvador. ‘ Premonición de una guerra’

  • Goya. ‘ la lucha a garrotazos’

  • Picasso, Pablo. ‘Guernica’

Songs:

  • Aute, Luis Eduardo. ‘Al alba’

  • Jara, VIctor. ‘Somos cinco mil’

  • Schwenke y Nilo. ‘ Nos fuimos quedando en silencio’

  • Serrano, Ismael. ‘ A las madres de Mayo’


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.