Cinema, Politics, and Society in Contemporary Spain
SPAN 252
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
COL 242, IBST 252 |
Our objective is to study the relationship between cinema, political reform, and social change in Spain since circa 1990. The course is organized around four themes--gender and sexuality; nationalities and nationalisms; immigration; and historical memory--that relate directly to the major public policy initiatives of the period. The ley de igualdad (2007) and el matrimonio homosexual (2005) seek to provide equality for women and homosexuals. Changes in Spain's política territorial and various estatutos de autonomía (2006) redefine the relationship between the central and regional governments. Modifications in the ley de extranjería (2009) aim to regularize the legal status of immigrants. The ley de memoria histórica (2007) was amended in hopes of achieving at long last a full reconciliation with the legacy of fascism. All of these initiatives continue to fuel public debate in the press, Parliament, and the public sphere over the topic of cultural identities and social relations within a national political framework. The course is designed, therefore, to show how artists--filmmakers, in this case--enter the fray. While doing so, it also provides an overview of contemporary Spanish social and political history. Supplementary readings taken from official government publications and web sites, from the press, and from various social research agencies (Spain's Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas, the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project, the World Economic Forum) will help bring into focus the often problematic tensions that exist between artistic (cinematographic) representation and sociopolitical realities. Finally, insofar as Spanish films project local responses to transnational issues, the course is designed to stimulate debate over the status of culture in the age of globalization. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Interpretation
Intercultural Literacy: This course encourages a comparative reflection about local cultural practices within a global framework.
Interpretation: Students will be challenged to exercise various modes--formal, social, ideological--of film analysis.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (FILM-MN)(RMST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Attendance is required at a weekly screening of a featured full-length production.
Video clips of other films accessible through the course web site via Quicktime.
A course packet with readings on film analysis, and contemporary Spanish politics and society.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly response papers and critical analyses
Oral presentations
A final comprehensive analysis on the topic of film, politics and society (5-7 pages) |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
SPAN252 is intended for students who have completed Spanish 221 or the equivalent with a grade of B or better. Students who have not done so should consult with the professor before pre-registering.
In addition to the essential capabilities indicated, students will regularly exercise skills speaking and writing in Spanish. Advanced-level competence in Spanish is essential since the films shown are not subtitled.
For more detailed information regarding this course, visit the web page at: http://agonzalez.web.wesleyan.edu/span252/span252.htm (under construction)
COL students may receive the special privilege of taking these courses Cr/U. |
| Instructor(s): Gonzalez,Bernardo Antonio Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: FISK414; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 18 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 2 | FR: 1 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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