Module description
This module aims to engage critically with the relationship between visual culture, written narratives and modern life in selected works produced in Latin America from the late nineteenth century to the 1930s. In order to create a dynamic space for critical debate, the primary bibliography features short pieces – short stories, chronicles, essays, poems – and various types of images such as illustrations from periodicals, paintings, photography and cinema. The wide range of texts and images to be discussed includes representative works from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.
Assessment details
One 2000-word essay (40%); one 2000-word essay (60%)
Educational aims & objectives
Although a historical approach will be used to locate and contextualize the various artistic movements addressed, the main objective of this module is to provide conceptual and analytical tools for students to be able to systematize their experience as readers and spectators of Latin American narratives related to visuality.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 5 module and in particular will be able to:
- Identify key concepts of contemporary debates about the study of visual arts as well as literature and other related cultural representations;
- Analyse and manipulate a conceptual framework for analysing visual and literary works of artists and writers from a wide range of Latin American countries.
- Compare specific characteristics of selected visual and literary pieces and critically contrast them with other works sharing similar aesthetics or produced in the same historical context;
- Effectively discuss, examine and challenge conventional definitions and classifications related to modern literature and visual culture;
- Situate the emergence of modern life and its representations in various Latin American contexts.
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week
Suggested reading list
All readings will be available on the KEATS page of this module.