The aim of this course is to introduce students to the poetry written in Spain during the last forty years or so.  This module will cover major spanish movements and trends up to the present day.  It will also look at some poetry in catalan, for which translations into spanish or english will be provided. The module seeks to explore different attempts to assert resistance and the ways in which the poetic art can exert renewal (of the literary field, of ideas, of identities, of political movements) through some of its best known literature. Alongside some close readings of key authors and literary compositions, issues on the political and historical frameworks that surround this poetry.

(LO1) Upon completion of the module, students will be able to understand and analyse poetry in Spanish within the specific historical and socio-cultural context in which these different bodies of work were composed and originally disseminated.

(LO2) Upon completion of the module, students will be able to substantiate their written work with critical theory relevant to the literature studied and participate in class discussion concerning the role of the poetry in question.

(LO3) Upon completion of the module, students will be able to conduct detailed analyses of the literature in question and will have developed competence in completing systematic readings of a given text and its historical and cultural context.

(LO4) Upon completion of the module, students will have a nuanced understanding of the environment from which this poetry emerged, the different responses it encountered and the challenges it posed for the future of Spanish poetry.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Global citizenship - Cultural awareness

(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - oral

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: The lectures will introduce students to key texts, concepts and debates around the poetry studied.

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: The seminars will consolidate the material taught in the lectures, as well as instruct and equip students with the skills to apply these concepts to close readings of the relevant literature.

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Topics that may be covered:

The Novísimos and the ‘poesía drogada’ during the Transition to Democracy;

The boom of poetry written by women;

Poetry of the experience versus Poetry of Difference;

The turn of the new millennium in poetry;

Poetry Slams and Jam sessions;

Revision and essay preparation/feedback.