Spanish Theatre and Performance
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course is open to all students of Humanities, but a good competence in Spanish language is required, since classes are held in Spanish. 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. Apart from studying the evolution of the dramatic genre in a given period or focusing on a specific theme, the course offers an overview of drama fundamentals, such as staging, the differences 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 discussed 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, with specific attention to the period analysed during the course; they will read some significant dramatic works of the period considered, choosing them out of a reading list. 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 recognize 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 ethical 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 can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
[Updated version: August 3rd, 2026]
The course is titled "Dos aniversarios" and is divided into three parts.
The first part (Module A) explores the distinctive features of the theatrical genre, providing the basic elements for interpreting stage, performance practices, and the specific characteristics of dramatic texts. Alongside a diachronic overview of the evolution of theatrical forms in Spain, students are offered a reading program spanning various eras, exploring the theme of the female voice as form of protest, affirmation, and memory. These are the selected texts: Lope de Vega, "La dama boba"; Jacinto Benavente, "La malquerida"; and Gracia Morales, "NN12".
The second part (Module B) is titled "Cien años después: el teatro de la Generación del Veintisiete" and offers an introduction to some of the major dramatic works of an era known primarily for the poetry of the members of the so-called "Group of '27." The selected texts, some of which are very short, are: Rafael Alberti, "El adefesio"; Federico García Lorca, "Amor de don Perlimplín con Belisa en su jardín"; María Teresa León, "Huelga del pueblo"; Concha Méndez, "El personaje presentido"; Cipriano de Rivas Cherif, "Un sueño de la razón".
The third part (Module C) is titled "Fifty Years Later: The Theater of the Transition" and focuses on the reading of several key works from the period 1976-86, which will be appropriately contextualized from historical, political, social, and artistic perspectives. The selected texts are: José Luis Alonso de Santos, "Bajarse al moro"; Antonio Buero Vallejo, "Jueces en la noche"; Fernando Fernán Gómez, "Las bicicletas son para el verano", e Lourdes Ortiz, "Las murallas de Jericó"
The course is titled "Dos aniversarios" and is divided into three parts.
The first part (Module A) explores the distinctive features of the theatrical genre, providing the basic elements for interpreting stage, performance practices, and the specific characteristics of dramatic texts. Alongside a diachronic overview of the evolution of theatrical forms in Spain, students are offered a reading program spanning various eras, exploring the theme of the female voice as form of protest, affirmation, and memory. These are the selected texts: Lope de Vega, "La dama boba"; Jacinto Benavente, "La malquerida"; and Gracia Morales, "NN12".
The second part (Module B) is titled "Cien años después: el teatro de la Generación del Veintisiete" and offers an introduction to some of the major dramatic works of an era known primarily for the poetry of the members of the so-called "Group of '27." The selected texts, some of which are very short, are: Rafael Alberti, "El adefesio"; Federico García Lorca, "Amor de don Perlimplín con Belisa en su jardín"; María Teresa León, "Huelga del pueblo"; Concha Méndez, "El personaje presentido"; Cipriano de Rivas Cherif, "Un sueño de la razón".
The third part (Module C) is titled "Fifty Years Later: The Theater of the Transition" and focuses on the reading of several key works from the period 1976-86, which will be appropriately contextualized from historical, political, social, and artistic perspectives. The selected texts are: José Luis Alonso de Santos, "Bajarse al moro"; Antonio Buero Vallejo, "Jueces en la noche"; Fernando Fernán Gómez, "Las bicicletas son para el verano", e Lourdes Ortiz, "Las murallas de Jericó"
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught in Spanish, and the syllabus require solid linguistic skills. The works to be read and the critical bibliography are entirely in Spanish, with a few cases of available Italian translations. Incoming students can attend the course, but they should have a good level of Spanish.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; group reading and commentary of excerpts from the works studied; critical viewing of documentaries, videoclips of stagings, and movies or works in other media.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=12198), where students will find texts and critical studies provided by the teacher. For each course unit, specific essays on individual works or authors or on general questions will be made available.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an interview, in which both theoretical knowledge and the ability to analyse the texts proposed and commented on during the course will be assessed. The duration of the interview depends on the amount of credits the student needs to acquire. The students will have to take the exam in Spanish.
Students interested in acquiring 9 credits will prepare all the units of the syllabus; students interested in obtaining just 6 credits will prepare the first and second unit.
The evaluation will focus on the knowledge of the texts and stagings or films (if appropriate) listed in the syllabus, the ability to connect the authors and the works studied in their context, the ability to independently develop judgments and interpretations of the texts analyzed and to apply the theories presented in the critical bibliography, the correct use of terminology and the ease of expression in Spanish (if the student opts for that language).
The final grade is expressed on a scale 0-30, with a minimum of 18 as a pass. Students can reject the final grade and take the exam in another date.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent office.
This syllabus is valid until September 2027. Starting from December 2027, the only proper syllabus will correspond to the academic year 2027-28.
Students interested in acquiring 9 credits will prepare all the units of the syllabus; students interested in obtaining just 6 credits will prepare the first and second unit.
The evaluation will focus on the knowledge of the texts and stagings or films (if appropriate) listed in the syllabus, the ability to connect the authors and the works studied in their context, the ability to independently develop judgments and interpretations of the texts analyzed and to apply the theories presented in the critical bibliography, the correct use of terminology and the ease of expression in Spanish (if the student opts for that language).
The final grade is expressed on a scale 0-30, with a minimum of 18 as a pass. Students can reject the final grade and take the exam in another date.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent office.
This syllabus is valid until September 2027. Starting from December 2027, the only proper syllabus will correspond to the academic year 2027-28.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
SPAN-01/A - Spanish literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
SPAN-01/A - Spanish literature - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
It is possible to meet the teacher both in person and through Teams; students should schedule an appointment in advance via e-mail.
In person: the teacher room is located in Piazza S. Alessandro 1, Iberistica (third floor). Through Teams: direct remote calls