Humour and horror are two fundamental characteristics of literature and culture in early modern Spain. This course will explore methodologies and key thinkers in the study of humour and horror, including theorists like Bakhtin and Culianu, in order to analyse works by authors such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Fernando de Rojas. At the end of this course students will have a deeper understanding of the contexts surrounding literary and cultural criticism in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

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

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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 the analytical tools necessary to approach key literary texts of the early modern period; 

■ analyse the social, political, historical and cultural context of the early modern period in Spain; 

■ explore critical theories related to humour and horror and develop close reading skills; 

■ develop students' research and speaking skills and confidence in self-expression. 

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

■ clearly situate literary works within their broader social, cultural, and historical contexts; 

■ critically apply theories relating to humour and/or horror to literary; 

■ present ideas clearly and analytically both orally and in writing through assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations.

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