Written Lives: Literature, Digressiveness, and the Real (U02734)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-U02734

An introduction to the study of 20th- and 21st-century Spanish prose writings (peninsular prose narratives, in the main) that are concerned with recounting lives and "the real", representing the coherence of experience in narrative form, whilst engaging anew with history (Spain's recent historical past -- the Civil War and the Franco years in particular). An exploration of the ways in which these narratives normally partake of more than one genre of writing, such as autobiographical and biographical writing, memoir, essay, travelogue, or fiction, without necessarily always belonging to any one mode and not normally in the name of the novel. An exploration of generic questions, in particular an analysis of the range of writing extending from autobiography and biography to fiction, thematic ones (esp. the importance accorded to memory, representations of the multiplicity of relationships, the interconnectedness of the worlds represented, and the relationship of the creative imagination with writing), as well as formal ones, especially narrative form and structure, digressiveness or errancy (rhetorical and narrative).

? Keywords : Spain, prose narratives, genre, autobiography, biography, digression, creative imagination.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Spanish 2, HS0007

? Costs : Purchase of primary texts studied.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

European Languages and Cultures - Hispanic Studies, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
20/09/2007	14:00	16:00			34 Buccleuch Place, 4.1

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	15:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : One two-hour lecture/seminar per week.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Increased familiarity with certain genres of writing (especially involving autobiographical modes) and their affinities, differences, constitution, and definitions, as well as their relationship to the novel form. A knowledge of aspects of 20th-century Spanish (and European) history and of the Civil War and the Franco years in particular. An understanding of the functioning and effects of digressive writing and aspects of the creative imagination. Familiarity with Spanish prose texts by accomplished writers, both male and female. Increased awareness and understanding of formal, literary registers of Spanish prose.