World Societies through Literature and Film - SPAIN
Spring 2013
Instructor:
Course meeting times:
Course location:
Office:
Office hours:
E-mail address:
Dr. Kimberly A. Vega
TTh 9:30 am – 10:50 am
Ritter Hall 102
Anderson Hall 430
TBA
kvega@temple.edu
Course Goals and Methods: This course is cross-listed under both “Spanish” and “GenEd.” Successful
completion of this course fulfills a part of the “GenEd” World Societies requirement. As part of the
“GenEd” program, WSLF seeks to (1) stimulate critical and interdisciplinary thinking; (2) enhance oral
and written communication skills through contextualized learning; and (3) promote civic engagement
and lifelong learning.
In this course we will examine Spanish Iberian culture and national identity as constructed
through film and literature in the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will study important historical,
political, economic, social and artistic events which will not only help contextualize the films and
literature, but will also allow students to “read” the films as would Spaniards, thus gaining a better
understanding of this exciting and unique culture.
Coursework will include lectures, readings, films, writing assignments, class discussions both in
the traditional format and online, and exams. Knowledge of the Spanish language is not necessary.
**Please note**  This semester WSLF, Focus on Spain will be a “hybrid” or
“blended” course. That means we will have 5-6 class days that will not be held in the
traditional classroom environment. Instead, you will be meeting online through the WebEx
platform that can be accessed in your TUportal account. You may access the WebEx sessions
from anywhere you choose, such as your home. However, you are expected to come to
“digital” class at 9:30 a.m. just as you would be expected to come to traditional class at that
time and participate accordingly. Otherwise, you will not receive a good Participation grade
for that day (see the category in this document regarding Participation, Homework &
Attendance).
Because this is a “blended” course, students are required to have: a) a reliable, fast
internet connection; b) access to a computer or ipad with a webcam; c) headphones; and d) a
good microphone.
Furthermore, because this is the first time I am conducting such a hybrid course, I will
be asking for student feedback regarding your experiences with the WebEx platform among
other opinions relevant to these “special” class days and the online class experience.
The first WebEx session will be September 26th. In preparation, please bring your
laptops/ipads, headphones and microphones to class on September 24th so we can practice
WebEx together while in “traditional class” but in the new digital format. That way, any
problems can be addressed while I am physically there with you all.
The dates for later “digital” classes will be announced on Black Board Announcements.
The PEX (Philadelphia Experience) Program: PEX fulfills a number of methodological and course goals
for the “GenEd” program. As luck would have it, Philadelphia is home to an all-female flamenco
company called Pasión y Arte.
Flamenco has long been associated as a Spanish dance form but it actually originated in Southern
Spain among the Roma (Gypsies) and was not practiced in other parts of Spain. In the 20th century,
however, flamenco spread to other parts of Spain, mainly urban centers, although the best dance
academies are still considered to remain in Andalusia (and now Madrid). Furthermore, it is in the south
that you will see people dancing flamenco in the streets, specifically sevillanas (named after the city of
Seville). If you are unfamiliar with flamenco please view this clip from Carlos Saura’s 1983 film, Carmen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ycARD863E4
Students who are interested in attending a performance by Pasión y Arte can receive a discount
on tickets through the PEX program. Please click here for more information:
http://gened.temple.edu/passport/offers/pasion-y-arte-flamenco-company/10-off-admission-to-1096/
Disability Statement: This course is open to all students who meet the academic requirements for
participation. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact
Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to coordinate reasonable
accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Statement on Academic Freedom: Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of
academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and
Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link:
http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02.
The “Buddy” System: All students are asked to please be friendly and keep in touch. Students can email
each other through Black Board (BB) and are advised to exchange phone numbers with at least two
classmates who will be your “buddies” in case of emergency.
Why?
Well, I ask students to be collaborative in many ways in this course and this is but another aspect. In the
event of absence it is the student’s responsibility to find out what happened in class either through Black
Board (BB) or through this “Buddy” System. So please refer to these two persons for missed
assignments, not the professor.
CHECK BLACKBOARD (BB) REGULARLY. I always post assignments on the “Announcements” page
of BB.
Classmate #1
Classmate #2
Name:
Name:
Email:
Email:
Telephone:
Telephone:
Also of importance…. Professor Vega does not always put her presentations on BB but sometimes she
does. She will alert you when she does. Thus, students are required to take notes during class time
unless otherwise alerted.
If a student misses class and therefore misses a presentation or lecture, it is quite possible s/he will not
find it posted to BB. This is why all students in this course are encouraged to use the “Buddy” system.
Please be generous and share your notes / information because one day, it could be you: You might
need a classmate's help. So if one student helps another, then another will help another and so on it
goes...
Reading Materials and Films:
Books: We will be reading selected chapters from some of these books but not all. They are all on
reserve in the Paley Book Reserves and can also be accessed through BB.
The Spanish Civil War by Francisco J. Romero-Salvadó
The Cinema of Spain & Portugal edited by Alberto Mira
Contemporary Spanish Cinema by Barry Jordan & Rikki Morgan-Tamosunas
Spanish Cinema by Rob Stone
Contemporary Spanish Cultural Studies edited by Barry Jordan & Rikki Morgan-Tamosunas
The Cinema of Spain and Portugal edited by Alberto Mira
“La indiferencia de Eva” (“Eva’s Indifference”) – Soledad Puértolas
“Final absurdo” (“Absurd Ending”) – Laura Freixas (pronounced FREY-shas)
Films:
We will not be seeing all the films listed below; so the list below is tentative.
Due to time constraints some films will only be shown in parts during class time.
Other films will not be shown in class due to time constraints and will therefore be considered
homework. They will be announced on BB.
Students are not required to buy these films. They are either streaming online or on reserve in the
Media Center in Paley Library. Viewing rooms are also available for groups. If a film is assigned as
homework and is not streaming online, then students should go to Paley and see the film there.
Un chien andalou (An Andalusian Dog) directed by Luis Buñuel (1928)
Land without Bread (Las Hurdes) directed by Luis Buñuel (1932)
Land and Freedom (sometimes titled Land and Bread) directed by Kenneth Loach (1995)
Francisco Franco directed by Greg Barker (1996)
Cría cuervos (Raise Ravens) directed by Carlos Saura (1975)
El ángel exterminador (Exterminating Angel) directed by Luis Buñuel (1962)
Pepi, Luci, Bom y otra chicas del montón (Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Ordinary Girls) directed by
Pedro Almodóvar (1980/2)
¿!Qué he hecho yo para merecer esto?! (What Have I Done to Deserve This?!), directed by Pedro
Almodóvar (1983/4) 101 min
Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) directed by
Pedro Almodóvar (1989/90)
Todo sobre mi madre (All About my Mother) directed by Pedro Almodóvar (1999)
Volver directed by Pedro Almodóvar (2006)
ETA: A History of Basque Nationalist Terrorism produced by BBC (2008)
Días contados (Running Out of Time) by Imanol Uribe (1994)
Carmen directed by Carlos Saura (1983)
Muertos de risa (Dying of Laughter) directed by Alex de la Iglesias (1997)
El crimen ferpecto (The Ferpect Crime) directed by Alex de la Iglesias (2004)
Don’t Tempt Me (Sin Noticias de Dios) directed by Agustín Díaz Yanes (2001)
Walking Vengeance (Solo quiero caminar) directed by Augstín Díaz Yanes (2008)
Flores de otro mundo (Flowers From Another World) directed by Icíar Bollaín (1999)
Princesas directed by Fernando León de Aranoa (2005)
Course Policies
Policy on Academic Honesty: University Policy will be followed in the event that cheating,
plagiarism or other academic dishonesty occurs. Temple University believes strongly in academic
honesty and integrity. Plagiarism and academic cheating are, therefore, prohibited. Essential to
intellectual growth is the development of independent thought and a respect for the thoughts of
others. The prohibition against plagiarism and cheating is intended to foster this independence
and respect.
The penalty for academic dishonesty can vary from receiving a reprimand and a failing grade for
a particular assignment, to a failing grade in the course, to suspension or expulsion from the
University. The penalty varies with the nature of the offense, the individual instructor, the
department, and the school or college. Students who believe that they have been unfairly accused
may appeal through the School or College's academic grievance procedure. See Grievances
under Student Rights in this section.
Attendance Policy: Students must arrive to class on time and participate actively. Three (3)
absences are permitted during the semester; subsequent absences will only be excused with a
valid, written medical excuse and/or proper documentation of some other major event. An
“excused” absence will erase the absence and also allows a student to make up a missed exam or
assignment due that day.
More than three (3) unexcused absences and/or consistent tardiness will seriously lower
the participation grade. More than ten (10) missed classes will result in a failing grade for the
course, no exceptions.
Tardiness: Students should not come to class if they are going to be more than 20 minutes late. It
is highly disruptive to both the professor and the other students.
The same applies to the professor. If the professor is ~20 minutes late to class then the students
can leave with no penalty (while this pretty much never occurs, unforeseen and uncontrollable
things can and do happen in life.. FYI).
“Make-Up” Exams & Late Papers Policy: Make-ups and late papers will only be accepted once
the student presents a valid, written excuse. A valid, documented excuse will allow a student to
make-up an exam with no penalty. However, any student who turns in a late paper will have the
final grade reduced by a full letter grade. For example: A grade of “B-“ will be dropped to a “C-“.
Email: Students must use proper spelling and language in all emails sent to the professor, as
these are property of the university. Emails will be answered in a timely manner, usually within
roughly 48 hours. Students requiring immediate attention to a particular matter should call the
Department of Spanish and Portuguese (215-204-8285) during 8 am – 5 pm business hours or visit
the professor’s office hours.
Plagiarism is defined as the unacknowledged use of another persons’ labor, ideas, words or
assistance. If you are unsure how to properly cite material, or whether or not certain material
needs to be cited at all, please see the professor at once. Refer to the Undergraduate Bulletin
statement on Plagiarism and Academic Cheating for details on the policy.
All work done for courses is expected to be the individual effort of the student. Any assistance
must be reported to the professor. If the work has entailed consulting other resources -- journals,
books, or other media -- these resources must be cited in a manner appropriate to the course.
Failure to cite borrowed, consulted or cited material constitutes plagiarism. Undocumented use
of materials from the internet is also plagiarism. Students must cite accordingly, referring to the
MLA Handbook. There is also a version online:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Cheating is defined as the unauthorized use of assistance, information or study guides in any
academic exercise, is the other major type of academic dishonesty. Cheating includes any of the
following: copying from others during an examination; sharing answers for a take-home
examination; using notes during an examination; taking an examination for another student in
any of the above (including allowing a fellow student to look at your answers on an exam). It
includes falsifying data; submitting, without the instructor's approval, work in one course which
was done for another; helping others to plagiarize or cheat from one's own or another's work; or
actually doing the work of another person.
Class conduct is defined as being courteous, polite and respectful to both the professor and other
students at all times. Any disruptive and/or perceived inappropriate behavior on the part of the
professor will negatively impact the Participation grade.
Assignment Categories and Grading
•Participation, Homework & Attendance 35%
•Exams
50%
•Final Paper:
15%
Participation, Homework & Attendance (35%): Students may receive up to five (5) separate
grades within this category: One participation grade will be awarded for the time up to the 1 st
exam, a second will be awarded for the time up to the date of the 2nd exam, etc., with the possible
fifth and final participation grade awarded for the time up to the very last day of class. After each
“micro”-cycle, the grade is re-set and students start again with a “clean slate”.
The participation grade will be given in points (1 being the lowest and 5 being the
highest) per day. An unexcused absence can only ever give a grade of 0. An excused absence is
simply not counted but it MUST be properly documented.
The participation grade also reflects the professor’s observance and evaluation of student
behavior in the classroom. So while a student may have perfect attendance, it does not cancel out
negative classroom behaviors such as texting or answering cell phones during class, reading
books or completing assignments both related and unrelated to the course while in class, sleeping
during the films, consistent tardiness, conversing with another student about topics not relevant
to class discussion, and/or behaving in a rude or aggressive manner towards the instructor or
another student.
Example of Participation Scoring:
Grade for Participation 1 --- 9 Class Days Total
Week 1: Student Z scored two 0s for absence and a 3 (the zeros were given because s/he appeared on the official enrollment
list in those first days but did not come to class).
Week 2: Student Z then scored two 3s and a 5
Week 3: and a 3, a 4 and a 5 (up and including the day of Exam 1).
Calculations: 0 + 0 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 26
A perfect score for 9 days' work is 45 (five times nine).
So, Student Z gets a 26 / 45 = 57.78 or an F.
But this is only for those 9 days because the Participation grade is “re-set” up until the date of Exam 2. Thus students can do
better and even out the grade.
Please keep in mind that the participation grade can change significantly throughout
the semester. It includes preparedness for class, willingness to answer questions, willingness to
work in discussion groups, and respect for all persons in the classroom This category also
includes sub-categories of attendance, discussion group work and homework (see Class
Conduct category above; Attendance & Tardiness Policies above; and the Grading Rubric directly
below for details)
Grading Rubric for Participation (and Attendance): These behaviors are just examples of
things the instructor is looking for in student class conduct.
- If a student comes late to class, that automatically lowers the grade from “perfect” score
of 5.
- If a student is highly involved with the iphone and is caught looking at web pages other
than BB on the ipad or laptop, these also automatically lower the grade.
- If a student arrives on time but exhibits a combination of the other behaviors (but not
necessarily all) listed during a class time then s/he will receive the number in the left
column for that day’s participation grade.
0
-
Did not attend class;
Or demonstrated egregious behavior, such as being overly aggressive,
excessively combative and even violent towards instructor or peer.
-
Comes consistently and/or extremely late to class (15 minutes or later);
And/or did not answer any questions asked by instructor;
And/or did not raise hand once;
And/or did not participate satisfactorily in group/pair work (not engaged at
all or refusal to work in groups);
And/or fell asleep during lecture or film presentation;
And/or constantly looking at other websites and not using the laptop to take
notes;
And/or constantly looking at phone;
1
-
1
-
2
-
3
4
5
And/or constantly messaging on phone;
And/or did not have homework done;
Comes often and/or somewhat late to class (between 5 – 10 minutes);
And/or answered at least one question asked by instructor;
And/or raised hand at least once;
And/or reluctantly participated in group/pair work but did not seem
engaged;
And/or dozed off during lecture or film presentation;
And/or often looking at other websites and not using the laptop to take notes;
And/or often looking at phone;
And/or often messaging on phone;
And/or did not have homework done.
-
Came 6 – 15 minutes late to class that day;
And/or answered a couple of questions asked by instructor;
And/or raised hand a couple of times;
And/or participated satisfactorily in group/pair work;
And/or looking occasionally at other websites when should be using the
laptop to take notes;
And/or looking occasionally at phone;
And/or occasional messaging on phone.
-
Came 5 minutes late to class that day;
And/or consistently answered questions asked by instructor;
And/or raised hand consistently;
And/or participated satisfactorily in group/pair work;
-
Came to class on-time;
And/or did not answer any questions asked by instructor
And/or consistently answered questions asked by instructor;
And/or raised hand consistently;
And/or participated satisfactorily in group/pair work;
Student asked or offered excellent points to the discussions / lecture.
Student highly engaged in the material.
-
Exams (50%): There may be up to five (5), 80-minute exams during the course of the semester.
These exams will include everything covered up to the previously scheduled exam day, such as
lectures, worksheets, Power Points, readings and films. The exams can include both multiple
choice and short answer although the exam format is relatively open and depends on the
professor’s decision on how to present the exam material. Students are usually alerted
beforehand as to each unique exam’s format.
Some exams will be in-class while others will be take-home and more like short papers. If you are
writing an in-class exam, please write legibly. If the professor cannot read a student’s
handwriting then the question will be marked negatively. So take your time and take care to
write well during an in-class exam.
Final Paper (15%): There will be one paper due at the end of this course. Students will be
expected to write 5-8 pages. They will also be expected to use 2 outside resources, or critical
articles from a database such as the MLA online, Project Muse or JSTOR. Wikipedia is not
allowed. Web sources should be kept to a minimum because they are not always edited well or
even truthful. Online sources with an “.edu” extension are usually of better quality and more
reliable since they are usually university websites.
The topics for the Final Paper will be posted on Blackboard with ample time; however,
students ARE encouraged to pursue independent topics but any independent topic MUST be
discussed with and approved by the professor beforehand, about 3 weeks before the due date at
the end of the semester.
Tentative schedule (please check BB Announcements regularly for more information and exact dates)
Week 1
1. Intro to course & homework due
2. Presentation of popular Spanish customs
3. The Avant-Garde: Surrealism
4. Prelude to the Spanish Civil War
5. In-class presentations of film excerpts from Un chien andalou, Land Without Bread
6. Selected readings from Romero-Salvadó
Week 2
1. The Second Republic & the Spanish Civil War
2. Homework: Land & Freedom
3. Selected readings from Romero-Salvadó
* September 11: La Diada or National Day of Catalonia (Cataluña in Spanish or Catalunya in
Catalán) – holiday which commemorates the definitive defeat of Catalan independence in the
uprising of 1714.
Week 3
1. EXAM 1 (in class)
2. The Early Dictatorship: 1939-1957
3. Selected readings from Spanish Cinema: A Student’s Guide
4. In-class presentation of excerpts from Francisco Franco by Greg Baker
5. Existentialism in Exterminating Angel
Week 4
1. The Late Dictatorship: 1957-1975 & the Economic Miracle
2. In-class presentation of Cría cuervos (Raise Ravens) by Carlos Saura
Week 5
1. EXAM 2 (take-home, short paper)
2. In-class presentation and discussion of Cría cuervos (Raise Ravens) by Carlos Saura
Week 6
1. The Post-Dictatorship & the Transition
2. La Movida & punk rock
3. In-class presentation of excerpts from Pepi, Luci, Bom... by Pedro Almodóvar
4. Selected readings from Spanish Cinema: A Student’s Guide by Barry Jordan & Rikki MorganTamosunas
5. In-class viewing of What Have I Done to Deserve This?! by Pedro Almodóvar
6. Homework: Women of the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
* Spain joins the European Community (EC) in 1986
Week 7
1. The Almodóvar Effect Completion of the in-class presentation of What Have I Done to Deserve
This?!
2. Spain in the post-1992 Olympics era or, post-modern Spain
3. Feminism, the political thriller, & the new comedia madrileña (Madrid comedy)
4. “Eva’s Indifference” by Soledad Puértolas
5. Discussion Groups on Almodóvar’s films
6. Homework: All About my Mother & Volver
Week 8
1. Discussion Groups on Almodóvar’s films
2. Exam 3 (take-home, short paper)
Week 9
1. Regional identity vs. national identity: Is anybody Spanish?
2. In-class presentation of Running Out of Time by Imanol Uribe
3. At-home viewing of ETA by the BBC
Week 10
1. Basques & Roma: Ethno-linguistic Regionalism
2. The Myth(s) of Carmen
3. In-class presentation of Carmen by Carlos Saura
4. The Economic Miracle of the 1960s & the Migration to the Cities Revisited
30 Years Later Spain after the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
Week 11
1. Exam 4 (in-class)
2. Popular cinema vs. art house cinema
3.. Postmodernism, Globalization and Youth Culture in Spain
4. “Final absurdo” by Laura Freixas (FREY-shas)
5. Homework: The Ferpect Crime by Alex de la Iglesias
Week 12
1. Postmodernism & Globalization in the 1990s/millennial period.
2. In-class presentation of Dying of Laughter by Alex de la Iglesias
3. Homework: Don’t Tempt Me by Agustín Díaz Yanes
* The European Union (EU) changes to a single currency, the euro (€) on January 1, 2002.
Week 13
1. Postmodernism, Globalization & Immigration in the millennial period.
2. Walking Vengeance by Agustín Díaz Yanes
Week 14
1. The Fall-Out of Desarrollismo and the Mass Migrations to the Cities Globalization and
Immigration
2. The Myth of Carmen Revisited... Spain as Other hosting other “Others”
3. In-class presentation of excerpts from Flowers from Another World by Icíar Bollaín (female
director; Icíar is a feminine Basque name).
4. Homework: Princesas by Fernando León de Aranoa
Week 15
1. Globalization & Immigration; Spain’s “Others”
2. Exam 5 (in-class)
Week 16
3. FINAL PAPER DUE during Exam Period (TBA on BB Announcements)