Program Overview

Spanish Culture Course: Barcelona, a Meeting Place for Spanish and Latin American Arts I

Course Description

The aim of the course is to make a journey through the history of Spanish narrative prose of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing on one main theme: the city, especially Barcelona, and its writers. The curriculum also seeks to provide information about the writers, their works, literary schools and movements, among other aspects. Similarly, the study of Spanish-American culture is addressed through some of its most representative works, as well as the socio-cultural and artistic context in which they were developed. The main objective is to provide the student with specific knowledge and reading keys, while promoting and developing different strategies of comprehension and interpretation related to the Spanish and Latin American cultural and artistic world.

Methodology

The course starts with a reflection on the history of the Spanish and Latin-American rich, diverse identity. Spanish narrative prose is approached through narrative texts of the main contemporary authors. In turn, each of the topics will be accompanied by audio-visual presentations on the diversity of countries and landscapes, twentieth century paintings, listening to music, poetry and significant excerpts from the literary work of renowned authors of our time. In each session, students will be expected to participate actively by asking questions, reflecting on each of the topics, and giving their personal opinions.

Assessment System

• Exam on Spanish writings: 40%
• Exam on Latin-American writings: 40%
• Attendance and participation: 20%

Syllabus

Spanish Writings

• Barcelona publishers and magazines in the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the Spanish writers: Benito Pérez Galdós, Leopoldo Alas “Clarín” and Emilia Pardo Bazán.
• Spanish writers in the postwar period and Barcelona: Camilo José Cela, Carmen Laforet, Miguel Delibes and Luis Romero.
• Barcelona and Spanish literature from 1992 to the present.

Latin-American Writings

• A journey in Hispanic America through music born of syncretism between African, European and Native American rhythms. Reading and listening to some of the most representative poems and songs (I).
• The country of nostalgia and the narrative of exile in the poetic prose of Mario Benedetti.
• Colours and life based on historical, biographical and artistic testimony of Frida Kahlo's painting.
• The relationship between literature and film in Hispanic America: from literary text to cinematographic image.

Bibliography

• SOTELO VÁZQUEZ, A. (2005): Viajeros en Barcelona, Barcelona , Planeta.
• Diccionarios de español (Editoriales VOX, RAE o Sopena)
• Students have a file containing all the texts that they must read and discuss
• BELLINI, G, (1997), Nueva historia de la literatura hispanoamericana , Madrid, Castalia.
• FRANCO, J. (1990): Historia de la literatura Hispanoamericana , Ariel.
• GOIC, C, (1998), Historia y crítica de la Literatura Hispanoamericana , Tomo III, Época contemporánea, Barcelona, Crítica, S.A.
• GUTIERREZ, R. (2000): Historia del arte Iberoamericano, Lungwerg ediciones
• LEYMARIE, I. (1997): La música latinoamericana, ritmos y danzas de un continente , Ediciones B.
• ORTIZ GAITAN, J. (2010): El muralismo mexicano: Otros maestros , Editorial Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
• PÉREZ MURILLO, D y FERNÁNDEZ FERNÁNDEZ, D. (COOR) (2002): La memoria filmada: América Latina a través de su cine , Lepala.
• RAUDA JAMIS, (1988), Frida Kalho , Editorial Circe.

Technical Specifications

• Language: Spanish
• Type: Culture
• Duration: 45 hours
• Credits: 6 ECTS credits
• Format: Face-to-face

Information of Interest

• Courses in Spanish culture
• Diploma in Hispanic Studies
• Certificate in Hispanic Studies
• Cancellation and course changes
• Cancellation of enrolment

Minimum Level of Spanish Language Required

Medium

Course Price

• General price: 546,00€
• Reduced price: 491,40€

Select a Group and Enroll

• BCN - City Center
  • Schedule: Mon, Wed | 17:00-18:30 | 15/09//12/2025
  • Group: 10
  • Teacher: Sotelo Vazquez, Adolfo / Sotelo Vazquez, María Luisa

Right to Information Pertaining to the Processing of Personal Data

(1) The data controller is the General Secretary's Office of the University of Barcelona. (2) The purpose of the data processing is to manage the request for information. (3) You can access your data and exercise your rights to rectification, to erasure, to object, to restriction of processing and request portability of your data under certain circumstances. (4) For more information, consult the detailed information on the processing of personal data.