1 Syllabus
Introducción a SPAN 3373
Historia Cultural de España
Dra. María Elena Soliño
Primavera 2023
Spring 2023
Español 3373 Civilización y Cultura de España
Dr. María Elena Soliño
Email:msolino@central.uh.edu
Office: 420 AH
Office Hours: By appointment. Please do not hesitate to contact me to speak about any concerns, at a time that is convenient to you.
Course Description: This course explores fundamental topics of the cultural formation
of what today we call modern Spain and its place in the world. Class lectures will offer an
overview of
1. the history of the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula from prehistoric times to the present;
2. a survey of the major artistic trends (romanesque, gothic, renaissance, baroque, neoclassicism, surrealism, etc.) that influenced Spain and the Spanish artists representative of these styles;
3. political elements that have shaped the concept of a Spanish nation throughout
different historical periods, with a special focus on Spain’s relationship first with
the Muslim and Jewish cultures in the Middle Ages, and finally with Western Europe.
Structure of the hybrid class:
Mondays — you should read the appropriate chapter of the online textbook and answer the corresponding questions on the weekly quiz. These readings provide historical background.
Wednesdays – in class we will study the art and architecture of the historical moment that you read about beforehand.
Texts: The content for this course will be delivered through Blackboard. There will be readings, links, and study guides posted for each assignment. Students are expected to check the site twice a week. There is also an online textbook that I will be producing on a week to week basis. The link to each week’s required readings will be in the weekly folder on Blackboard.
Students who would like to own a beautiful book in English that has a good overview of the culture of the Iberian Peninsula may wish to purchase Cultural Atlas of Spain and Portugal, by Mary Vincent and R.A. Stradling. It is widely available. You are not required to purchase any textbook for this class, but you are required to read all the postings on Blackboard labeled “required reading”.
Grading criteria:
Quizzes due every Tuesday night: 20%
3 Exams: 60%
Research paper of no less than 6 pages: 20% (5% for submitting the topic and bibliography for approval, 15% rough draft, 80% final version).
Please note that active participation in class, and steady attendance is crucial (in class we will study a number of visual texts, therefore it is imperative that you attend class and take notes carefully. Students are also expected to ask questions.) Although there is no percentage directly assigned to attendance, it is extremely difficult for students with a poor attendance record to do well in this class.
Learning Outcomes
• Students will have knowledge of the major events in the history of Spain.
• Students will have knowledge of the major European artistic movements.
• Students will understand how the major European artistic movements were manifested on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Students will be able to discuss the above topics in Spanish at an advanced level.
• Students will be able to conduct research on Spanish culture at an advanced level, and write an appropriate-length paper that incorporates critical thinking in the target language.
Class schedule
January
18: Peninsular geography and basic information. The first inhabitants and the cave art at Altamira. The first colonizers.
23: Roman Spain and the basis of a nation.
25: Introduction to Medieval Spain and the notion of “convivencia”
30: The flourishing of the Arts in Muslim Spain.
February
1: The Road to Santiago–the re-establishment of ties to Western Europe –The Christian kingdoms and the notion of “reconquista.”
LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS WITHOUT RECEIVING A GRADE
6: The arts in the Christian kingdoms.
8: Sefardí culture.
13: The reign of Isabel and Fernando “los Reyes Católicos.”
15: TEST 1
20: Hapsburg Spain and the Counter Reformation.
22: The Golden Age of Spanish Art.
27: Golden Age continued.
March
1: Golden Age continued.
6: The Age of Enlightenment and Bourbon Spain.
8: Goya’s Spain and the Napoleonic invasion.
20: The emergence of bourgeois Spain in the XIX century.
22: Barcelona and Gaudí–Modernism at the turn of the century.
27: The vanguard movements–Surrealism–Cubism.
29: TEST 2
April
3: The Second Republic–Spanish connections to international political movements (communism, anarchism, fascism).
5: The Spanish Civil War–The Role of Foreign Intervention — Spain’s
own recipe for fascism.
10: Artists respond to the Civil War.
12: continued
17: Spain’s personal recipe for fascism.
19: The Cold War and the re-establishment of diplomatic relations–U.S. military bases in Spain–Establishing the tourism industry.
SUBMIT A PARAGRAPH DESCRIBING THE TOPIC OF YOUR RESEARCH PAPER AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY (5% OF ESSAY GRADE)
LAST DAY TO DROP A CLASS WITH A W
24: Post-totalitarian Spain–Juan Carlos and the constitutional monarchy– Regional autonomy.
26: EXAM 3
MAY
1: ROUGH DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE (15% OF ESSAY GRADE). Submit through turnitin.com.
FINAL VERSION OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE
May 10 by 3:30
PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND BASIC RULES
COVID-19 Information
Students are encouraged to visit the University’s COVID-19 website for important information including diagnosis and symptom protocols, testing, vaccine information, and post-exposure guidance. Please check the website throughout the semester for updates. Consult the (select: Undergraduate Excused Absence Policy or Graduate Excused Absence Policy) for information regarding excused absences due to medical reasons.
Reasonable Academic Adjustments/Auxiliary Aids
The University of Houston complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for disabled students. In accordance with Section 504 and ADA guidelines, UH strives to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an academic adjustments/auxiliary aid, please contact the Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center (formerly the Justin Dart, Jr. Center for Students with DisABILITIES).
Excused Absence Policy
Regular class attendance, participation, and engagement in coursework are important contributors to student success. Absences may be excused as provided in the University of Houston Undergraduate Excused Absence Policy and Graduate Excused Absence Policy for reasons including: medical illness of student or close relative, death of a close family member, legal or government proceeding that a student is obligated to attend, recognized professional and educational activities where the student is presenting, and University-sponsored activity or athletic competition. Under these policies, students with excused absences will be provided with an opportunity to make up any quiz, exam or other work that contributes to the course grade or a satisfactory alternative. Please read the full policy for details regarding reasons for excused absences, the approval process, and extended absences. Additional policies address absences related to military service, religious holy days, pregnancy and related conditions, and disability.
Recording of Class
Students may not record all or part of class, livestream all or part of class, or make/distribute screen captures, without advanced written consent of the instructor. If you have or think you may have a disability such that you need to record class-related activities, please contact the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center. If you have an accommodation to record class-related activities, those recordings may not be shared with any other student, whether in this course or not, or with any other person or on any other platform. Classes may be recorded by the instructor. Students may use instructor’s recordings for their own studying and notetaking. Instructor’s recordings are not authorized to be shared with anyone without the prior written approval of the instructor. Failure to comply with requirements regarding recordings will result in a disciplinary referral to the Dean of Students Office and may result in disciplinary action.
Resources for Online Learning
The University of Houston is committed to student success, and provides information to optimize the online learning experience through our Power-On website. Please visit this website for a comprehensive set of resources, tools, and tips including: obtaining access to the internet, AccessUH, Blackboard, and Canvas; using your smartphone as a webcam; and downloading Microsoft Office 365 at no cost. For questions or assistance contact UHOnline@uh.edu.
UH Email
Please check and use your Cougarnet email for communications related to this course. To access this email, login to your Microsoft 365 account with your Cougarnet credentials.
Academic Honesty Policy
High ethical standards are critical to the integrity of any institution, and bear directly on the ultimate value of conferred degrees. All UH community members are expected to contribute to an atmosphere of the highest possible ethical standards. Maintaining such an atmosphere requires that any instances of academic dishonesty be recognized and addressed. The UH Academic Honesty Policy is designed to handle those instances with fairness to all parties involved: the students, the instructors, and the University itself. All students and faculty of the University of Houston are responsible for being familiar with this policy.
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Per the UHS Sexual Misconduct Policy, your instructor is a “responsible employee” for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and state law and must report incidents of sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual intimidation, intimate partner violence, or stalking) about which they become aware to the Title IX office. Please know there are places on campus where you can make a report in confidence. You can find more information about resources on the Title IX website at https://uh.edu/equal-opportunity/title-ix-sexual-misconduct/resources/.
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Syllabus Changes
Please note that the instructor may need to make modifications to the course syllabus. Notice of such changes will be announced as quickly as possible through (specify how students will be notified of changes).
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