This module explores fictional representations of key historical events in the Spanish Caribbean in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The module interrogates key historical issues in the region such as the legacy of colonialism and slavery, the struggles against US neo- colonialism in the region, the struggles for racial and sexual equality, etc. In the process, it engages with a variety of literary form ranging from the epic and the historical novel to the confessional, testimonial and life writing.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the history and literature of the Spanish Caribbean;
Show a critical understanding of the main issues (race, sexual politics, migration, displacement, legacies of colonialism and slavery) at play in the contemporary Spanish Caribbean;
Analyse literary representations of those issues and their pertinence and value for Spanish Caribbean societies;
Locate these historical and literary discourses within a wider Caribbean post-colonial context.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: 1 x 2,500 -word essay in English (70%); 5-7 minute video presentation in Spanish (30%).
Reassessment: No resits are permitted in final year. If students miss the assessed task owing to extenuating circumstances, the failed task would be rescheduled at a later date.