Heroes, Lovers, and Swindlers: Medieval and Renaissance Spanish Literature and History
SPAN 230
Fall 2025
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
COL 229, MDST 228 |
This course is designed to develop students' ability to make informed and creative sense of four fascinating, complex, and influential medieval and Renaissance Spanish texts in their multiple (literary, historical) contexts: the "national" epic EL CID (12th-13th century); the bawdy and highly theatrical prose dialogue known as LA CELESTINA (1499); the anonymous LAZARILLO (1554), the first picaresque novel; and María de Zayas's proto-feminist novella THE WAGES OF VICE (1647). Through these and selected historical readings, the course is also intended to provide students with a basic knowledge of Spanish culture (in its plurality) from the 11th through the 17th centuries, the texture of everyday life, and the larger movements of long-term historical change. We will draw on literature and history to imagine the world of chivalry and crusade in the medieval Spain of "the three religions of the book" (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam); of mercantile values, courtly love, and prostitution in the Renaissance city; of social injustice and religious hypocrisy in imperial Spain; and of the exacerbated gender and caste tensions that followed from the political crises of the 1640s. We will reflect on the interplay of literature and history in our efforts to come to grips with a past both familiar and strange; address the crossing of linguistic, artistic, ethnic, religious, caste, and gender boundaries that has long been a conspicuous feature of Spanish society; and consider what texts and lives of the past might still have to say to us today. No prior historical or literary preparation is required, only a willingness to engage the readings closely (textually and historically). |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of Letters)(Hispanic Literatures and Cultures)(Medieval Studies Minor)(Medieval Studies)(Romance Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Miguel de Cervantes, LA NUMANCIA, eds. Alison Caplan and Bryan Betancur. Newark, Delaware: LinguaText, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-58977-061-4.
Felix Lope de Vega, EL PERRO DEL HORTELANO, eds. Adrienne Lasker Martin and Esther Fernandez Rodriguez. Newark, Delaware: LinguaText, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-58977-078-2.
Tirso de Molina, EL BURLADOR DE SEVILLA, ed. R. John McCaw. Newark, Delaware: LinguaText, 2003. ISBN: 1-58977-010-2.
Pedro Calderon de la Barca, LA VIDA ES SUENO (2nd ed.), ed. Vincent Martin. Newark, Delaware: LinguaText, 2006. ISBN: 1-58977-032-3.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, LOS EMPENOS DE UNA CASA [Pawns of a House], bilingual edition, tr. Michael McGaha, intr. Susana Hernández Araico. Tempe, Arizona: Bilingual Review Press, 2006. ISBN: 193101017X OR ISBN-13: 9781931010177.
Laura R. Bass and Margaret R. Greer, eds., APPROACHES TO TEACHING EARLY MODERN SPANISH DRAMA (MLA, 2006). ISBN-13: 978-0-87352-995-2.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Two short (3-5 pp.) papers, one short oral presentation (3-5pp. or 5-10 minutes), the recitation of 15 memorized lines from a play, and one longer final paper (7-10 pp.) constitute 70% of the grade. Preparation for class (including regular short response papers), attendance, and informed participation count for the other 30%. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
SPAN230 is intended for students who have completed SPAN 221 with a B- or better. Students who have not completed Spanish 221 but believe they have the equivalent level of proficiency will be admitted during drop-add if they consult with the professor before pre-registering or by the start of classes and demonstrate their proficiency. Readings, written assignments, and class discussion will be in Spanish. Only COL students may take this course CR/U. Reading and writing are among the best ways for adult learners to improve their spoken Spanish. Class meetings are devoted to intensive, informed discussion in Spanish. You will therefore improve all of your language skills in this course. |
| Instructor(s): Armstrong-Roche,Michael Times: .M.W... 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 14 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 1 | JR non-major: 1 | SO: 2 | FR: 1 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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