Module description
The Iberian Peninsula was home to the first ventures of global empire. Drawing on key medieval and early modern texts in Portuguese and Spanish from the peninsula and its colonies this module examines the literary representation of frontiers and colonization. Students will learn about the emergence of the modern states we now call Spain and Portugal and how they were not only the initiators of worldwide transformations, but also the products of a complex process of colonisation. Through the literary representation of the relations between Christians, Jews, Muslims and the indigenous peoples of Africa and the New World, key concepts of frontier, conquest, tolerance, conversion and coexistence will be examined as part of global movements and dynamic cultural (ex)change.
This module is taught by staff with expertise in both Portuguese and Spanish and English translations of texts and secondary sources will be provided. The module is open to students from any degree programme.
Assessment details
30% for participation in the KEATS module discussion forum (students submit 2 posts [15% each] in preparation for seminar discussion/after seminar discussions in assigned weeks, in response to stimulus set by tutor, e.g. textual commentary, review of critical source, discussion of relevance of conceptual framework in relation to primary sources); 10% for a bibliographic assignment which feeds into the writing of the final coursework essay; 60% final coursework essay 2,000 words
Educational aims & objectives
- To examine the literary representation of frontier and colonization in medieval early modern texts from the Iberian Peninsula and its colonies
- To introduce students to the way the modern states we now call Spain and Portugal emerged
- To examine key concepts of frontier, conquest, tolerance, conversion and coexistence in the literary representation of relations between Christians, Jews, Muslims and the indigenous peoples of Africa and the New World
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 4 module and in particular will be able to:
- Begin to employ a conceptual framework to analyse and write on the primary texts studied;
- Show awareness of the role played by historical context in the development of the key concepts;
- Have a good knowledge of the modern critical approaches to the subject;
- Show a good understanding of the link between literary form and the construction of key discourses;
- Gain the confidence to develop appropriate study and research strategies in order to plan, draft, author and complete the module assessment elements.
Teaching pattern
1-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar per week
Suggested reading list
Students will read a selection of medieval and early-modern texts (some in extracts), which may include: the epic Poema de mio Cid; medieval Iberian legends; the Siete Partidas; the novella Abencerraje; Alvar Nuňez Cabeza de Vaca, Naufragios.