Spanish Theatre
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing the study of the wide dramatic corpus in Spanish language, with a focus on a specific and ever changing period; when possible, a series of classes will be devoted to Latin American theatre. The course is a useful companion to the basic formation in literary studies both for specialist of Spanish and Latin American literature. For students at M.A.level it is possible to take it twice, thus centering on several periods; this option is highly recommended for students graduating in the field. Apart from studying the evolution of the dramatic genre in a given period, the course offers an overview of drama fundamentals, such as staging, difference between scenic and dramatic space, the commercial dimension of playwriting. The basic terminology of theatre studies is presented, and a few videoclips of significant plays are discusseed in class. During the year, students are strongly encouraged to go to theatre, even if scheduled works are not fully related to the contents of the course.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: students will know the evolution of Spanish drama history in the period analysed during the course; they will have read some of the most significant dramatic works of the period considered. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to position correctly authors, works and movements or schools in the period considered; they will be able to compare dramatic texts and to recognise similarities and differences among them, pointing out the most significant features of every one; they will be able to use the basic terminology of theatre studies; they will connect plays with their historic and social context, and will be able to analyse different strategies of staging and directing; they will develop a sensibility for the ethic values of drama and their impact on audience and readers.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The title of the course is "Forma y evolución de la tragedia en el teatro español" ("Form and evolution of tragedy in Spanish theatre"). It is organised in three parts. The first part of the course will centre on the classical conception of tragedy and fundamental authors and works in Golden Age drama, representing a varied typology of tragic plays. The second part of the course will focus on the theatre of the modern age, both at the transition from the Enlightenment to Romanticism, and at another era of notable experimentation, the first third of the 20th century. The third part of the course will be devoted to some tragedies in the theatre of dictatorship and democratic periods. When available, recordings of stagings will also be studied.
Students taking the course for 6 credits will prepare the first two parts of the course; students taking the course for 9 credits will read the complete bibliography.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2025. Starting from the summer session of 2025, students will be allowed to take the examination only on the syllabus for the academic year 2024-25.
Students taking the course for 6 credits will prepare the first two parts of the course; students taking the course for 9 credits will read the complete bibliography.
The course syllabus is valid until February 2025. Starting from the summer session of 2025, students will be allowed to take the examination only on the syllabus for the academic year 2024-25.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held entirely in Spanish, and the bibliography requires solid linguistic competence. Students of programmes other than Foreign Languages and Literatures that are beginners or not proficient in Spanish are not guaranteed the availability of Italian translations. If possible, they are kindly invited to check with the teacher in advance to adjust the syllabus and the bibliography. Incoming students (Erasmus+ or other forms of mobility) are allowed to take the course, provided they have solid linguistic competence in Spanish.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lectures with slides; close reading of selected scenes from the works studied; viewing and commentary of videoclips, stage photographs, and documentaries.
Teaching Resources
The course has a webpage on the distance learning platform Ariel (https://acassolsts.ariel.ctu.unimi.it), where students can find lecture notes, slides, and other material uploaded by the teacher. Following is the requested reading list.
Further details on stagings will be offered at the beginning of the course.
First part (tragedy in Golden Age)
Playwriters to be studied: Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Luis Vélez de Guevara.
Second part (Enlightenment to Civil War)
Playwriters to be studied: María Rosa Gálvez de Cabrera, Duque de Rivas, Miguel de Unamuno, Federico García Lorca..
Third part (tragedy in 20th century)
Playwriters to be studied: Alfonso Sastre, Antonio Buero Vallejo, Jerónimo López Mozo, María Velasco.
As a general introduction to the third part of the course, students will read Simone Trecca, "Teatro spagnolo contemporaneo", in AA.VV., "Letteratura spagnola contemporanea", Milano, Pearson, 2020, pp. 405-485.
Further critical readings and studies on authors and plays will be uploaded on the course website.
Advice for non attending students
The bibliography for students not attending classes is the same. Obviously, given the difficulty of preparing independently, it is recommended that non-attending students devote sufficient time to studying and elaborating the requested materials and do not approach the examination with excessive ease.
Further details on stagings will be offered at the beginning of the course.
First part (tragedy in Golden Age)
Playwriters to be studied: Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Luis Vélez de Guevara.
Second part (Enlightenment to Civil War)
Playwriters to be studied: María Rosa Gálvez de Cabrera, Duque de Rivas, Miguel de Unamuno, Federico García Lorca..
Third part (tragedy in 20th century)
Playwriters to be studied: Alfonso Sastre, Antonio Buero Vallejo, Jerónimo López Mozo, María Velasco.
As a general introduction to the third part of the course, students will read Simone Trecca, "Teatro spagnolo contemporaneo", in AA.VV., "Letteratura spagnola contemporanea", Milano, Pearson, 2020, pp. 405-485.
Further critical readings and studies on authors and plays will be uploaded on the course website.
Advice for non attending students
The bibliography for students not attending classes is the same. Obviously, given the difficulty of preparing independently, it is recommended that non-attending students devote sufficient time to studying and elaborating the requested materials and do not approach the examination with excessive ease.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an individual interview with specific questions by the teacher, free interaction between the teacher and the student, and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works studied.
The duration of the interview depends on how many credits the student is taking; the interview is held entirely in Spanish for students of the M.A. in European and Extraeuropean Languages and Literatures, preferably in Spanish for students of the B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures, and in Italian or Spanish for other students. The interview aims to ascertain the solid knowledge of the works studied, the ability to put in their context authors and works, the oral exposition skills, the correct use of the specific theatre studies terminology, and the ability to think and elaborate on the course themes critically. If the interview is taken in Spanish, the level of linguistic competence will be evaluated.
The final grade is expressed on a 0-30 scale, where 18 is necessary to pass, and a lesser grade means a failure; in this case, the final grade will be recorded as "failed". Students are entitled to reject the grade proposed by the teacher; in this case, the final grade will be recorded as "withdrawn".
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher in advance.
The assessment methods and criteria for students with disabilities or learning disorders must be arranged with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
The duration of the interview depends on how many credits the student is taking; the interview is held entirely in Spanish for students of the M.A. in European and Extraeuropean Languages and Literatures, preferably in Spanish for students of the B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures, and in Italian or Spanish for other students. The interview aims to ascertain the solid knowledge of the works studied, the ability to put in their context authors and works, the oral exposition skills, the correct use of the specific theatre studies terminology, and the ability to think and elaborate on the course themes critically. If the interview is taken in Spanish, the level of linguistic competence will be evaluated.
The final grade is expressed on a 0-30 scale, where 18 is necessary to pass, and a lesser grade means a failure; in this case, the final grade will be recorded as "failed". Students are entitled to reject the grade proposed by the teacher; in this case, the final grade will be recorded as "withdrawn".
International students or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher in advance.
The assessment methods and criteria for students with disabilities or learning disorders must be arranged with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
It is possible to meet the teacher both in person and throught Teams; students should schedule an appointment .in advance via e-mail.
Office hours: the teacher room is located in Piazza S. Alessandro 1, first floor, Iberistica (stairs to the second floor). Remote calls: Teams (access code: 0tjneag).