Spring 2007

SPN 373 • Spanish Literary Classics : from the Middle Ages to the Golden Age

Course Description

This course aims to acquaint the student with some of the most important poets,novelists,playwrights and short story writers of the Spanish Middle Ages and the Golden Age ( 16th and 17th centuries ).Emphasis will be placed on the literary,artistic aspect,but other facets (social,political, philosophical ) also will be brought into consideration. The transitions from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and from the latter to the Baroque, reflected in both content and form of the works studied, will be examined with special attention.

Authors and Works to be studied in class ( most texts will be read in their entirety ) : Poema de Mio Cid; Celestina; Garcilaso de la Vega, Fray Luis de Leon, San Juan de la Cruz ( a few poems each ); Lazarillo de Tormes; Lope de Vega, Fuenteovejuna; Cervantes, D. Quijote( Selections from 1st and 2nd Parts ), Retablo de las maravillas; Tirso de Molina, El burlador de Sevilla; Calderon, La vida es sueïo; Quevedo, Gongora ( a few poems each ).In some cases ,lectures on literary trends and works will be complimented by illustrations from painting, sculpture and architecture ( Romanesque, Gothic, Plateresco, Baroque ). A method of literary analysis will be offered in class.

Grading Policy

2 0ne-hour exams : 40% Class participation : 30% Final exam : 30%

Texts

Texts: A, Sanchez Romeralo/ F. Ibarra: Antologia de autores espanoles antiguos y modernos,vol.I. Some texts not included in Antologia will be photocopied or purchased separately.

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