Overview

The module will explore how Spanish cinema has reflected and dealt with socio-historical and political events, for example censorship, representations of the Spanish Civil War, and contemporary social issues in Spanish society. It will do so by also considering aesthetic and narrative aspects and the influence of different film movements (e.g. Neorealism, Nouvelle Vague, Social Realism) through the lens of several film theories, which might include auteur theory, star-system, and national/transnational cinema.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- - D+: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various topics studied, with some understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted

-good -C- - B+: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various topics studied, with clear understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources.

-excellent -A- - A*: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the various topics studied, with a nuanced understanding of the correlations and interrelations highlighted, having also analysed and evaluated key sources thoroughly.

Learning Outcomes

• To develop a critical approach to cinema as well as an understanding of its key stylistic features.

• To explore cinema within a contextual approach that relates to the values of the society it depicts.

• To gain a critical awareness of contemporary Spanish culture and the history of Spanish film of the 1950s to the present.

• To gain an informed understanding of contemporary Spanish film.