6AASC017 Journey Through Spain: Travel Writing in Modern Spain
Credit value: 15 credits
Module tutor: Maria Jose Blanco
Assessment: One 2000 word tutorial essay (40%); one 2-hour examination (60%)
Teaching arrangements: Two hours per week
Module overview
This module will consider travel writing as it has been treated in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Spanish literature and cinema. The module will concentrate on the reading and analysis of the texts listed under Essential Reading below. The selection includes different forms of the travel genre.
Key Concepts
Travel writing will be understood in its broadest sense and each text (literary or filmic) will be used to explore different aspects of the genre. Each text will be set in its socio-political, cultural and authorial contexts, and the overall aim of the course will be to interrogate the definition of travel writing.
Essential Reading
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Miguel de Unamuno, Paisajes del alma (1944)
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Luis Buñuel, Las Hurdes: Tierra sin pan (1933 film) – shown in class
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Camilo José Cela, Viaje a la Alcarria (1948)
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Juan Goytisolo, Campos de Níjar (1960)
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Julio Llamazares, El río del olvido (1990)
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Lala Isla, Londres, Pastel Sin Receta (2002)
You may also find it helpful to look at some general studies of travel writing and examples of contemporary travel writing before the course starts. Two good examples are:
Peter Hulme and Tim Youngs (eds.) (2002) The Cambridge Companion to Travel Writing (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) and Paul Theroux (2000) Fresh-Air Fiend Travel. Writings, 1985-2000 (London: Hamish Hamilton Ltd)