Spanish Literature 1

This course aims at proposing an approach to the Spanish Literature programme, that is chronologically organised, and as such it is reserved for first-year students. An introduction to Iberian Peninsula history from Ancient Age to Habsburg Empire is offered, with a specific attention to Middle Ages and Renaissance; the course explores the developing of literary production in Castilian language from the beginnings to Renaissance, and offers a focus on XVIth century poetry and the wide range of texts related to the discovery and conquest of America.

Knowledge and understanding: outline of Iberian Peninsula history to XVIIth century; fundamental elements of Iberian culture in the Middle Ages and Renaissance; main authors and literary movements in Castilian language during the Middle Ages and Renaissance; variety of texts written about the discovery and conquest of America; fundamentals of Spanish versification. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to read and contextualize five fundamental works of Spanish literature from the Middle Ages to Renaissance; selected readings of XVIth century poetry and of works about America; understanding of historic, cultural, and social implications of literary texts; ability to place authors, movements and works in their context; ability to recognise and explain affinities and differences among literary texts; ability to recognise and explain differences among literary genres; ability to recognise Spanish versification and their effect on the meaning of a poem.