This course is an exploration of Don Quixote I and II´s major themes by means of an intercultural close reading of a selection of passages from Cervantes´ Don Quixote. Cervantes´ aesthetic principles of authors interacting with their own metafictional characters, and of outcasts forced to become villains, will be examined with reference to key contemporary Hollywood films such as Once upon a time in Hollywood and Joker. 

20 x 1hr sessions across both semesters as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the honours options in SMLC and may not run every year. The options which are running this session are available on MyCampus.

None

None

Presentation (10 minutes) - 30%

Essay (3000 words) - 70%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course aims to:

■ introduce students to a comparative study of the presence and origins of metafictional theory in the Spanish Golden Age period and its reflection in contemporary Hollywood films; 

■ serve as an introduction to the study of the complex literary resources present in the first modern narrative, Cervantes´ Don Quixote; 

■ enable students to compare textual and visual materials across a variety of periods and genres to enhance their critical thinking; 

■ facilitate students´ ability to comparatively understand intellectual, cultural and historical content and contexts across related historical and cultural periods; 

■ encourage public speaking skills and confidence in oral and written self-expression.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ compare Spanish, European and US cultures when exploring the historical, political and cultural contexts of literary texts and films; 

■ reflect critically about social, political, historical and cultural contexts, developing a stronger international awareness; 

■ present their own criteria and analysis of comparative metafiction in essays and in class discussions and presentations. 

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.