This class will create an analytical dialogue between a multitude of current socio-political debates in Spain: the economic crisis, political corruption, unemployment, immigration, and the emigration, the 15M and social movements, climate change, gender violence, women’s and LGTB rights, gentrification, legal and squatters social centers, Catalonian independence, historical memory, and finally, the monarchy versus the Republic.

We will use two different types of materials. Firstly, students will analyze a variety of cultural genres that reflect that connection the arts with social issues: films (fictional and documentary), short stories, theater, poetry, graphic novels, music, and photography. On the other hand, we will incorporate and question these texts alongside theoretical and empirical ones: academic and philosophical writings, journalistic articles, and intellectual debates.

This course counts as literature credit for the Spanish minor.

Class Format:

For Fall 2021: Mondays will be in-person and Wednesdays will be remote (synchronous).