SPAN 361 - Contemporary Spanish Drama: From the 1900s to the Present

This course examines Spanish drama from the XX and XXI centuries, in relation to the political, cultural, and artistic developments of the social scene of contemporary Spain. The main objective of this course is to provide students with the basic tools to analyze Spanish theatrical literature. The course follows an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the works of Jacinto Benavente, Paloma Pedrero, José Luis Alonso de Santos, Federico García Lorca, Cristina Fernández Cubas, and Diana de Paco, among others. The goal is to help students develop a thorough knowledge of the selected works in relation to their particular socio-political and cultural contexts, to enhance their skills in the Spanish language, and to develop critical and analytical thinking skills. Theoretical exposition will be combined with collective discussion based on active and spontaneous participation, weekly readings and comprehension handouts, and oral presentations. Film and other forms of media, art, and popular culture will be used to complement themes and explore the transformation of a literary text to a staged representation or media production. Prerequisite: Any three of SPAN 226, 250, 310, or 350 or permission of instructor. Group III