COURSE DESCRIPTION Through our reading and analysis of the most representative texts of Spanish literature of the last few decades, this course intends to introduce students to contemporary literary production in relation to the social, political and cultural trends that dominate in Spain today. Our readings will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the debates predominating within Spanish society and of possible correlations linking Spanish and European culture today. In the words of the Spanish theoretician, Claudio Guillén, we propose a journey that moves from the singular toward difference. OBJECTIVES 1) Knowledge of the primary trends in contemporary Spanish literature. 2) The analysis of Spanish texts representative of the main literary genres in relation to their social, political and cultural context. 3) Familiarity with the prominent writers active in Spain today and familliarity with the most important works of literature. 4) A reflexion on the power and value of literature to create imaginary worlds in relation to crucial issues concerning both individual and collective identity as framed by the current Spanish social context. 5) A pleasureable and enriching reading experience. 6) The sharing of the reading experience with individuals of different nationalities, in particular with Carlos III University students and with some of the writers included in the syllabus. 7) Refinement of oral and written Spanish language skills, through short written exercises and guided oral presentations.

SYLLABUS Following our survey of Spanish literature at the beginning of the XX century, our classes will unfold along the following four generic axes: a) The Spanish short story from the transition to the present. b) Spanish poetry from the transition to the present. c) Spanish theater from the transition to the present. d) Spanish novel from the transition to the present. ¿ Optional: A 1-hour ¿encounter¿ with Spanish students for discussing the weekly readings. CURSOS DE ESTUDIOS HISPÁNICOS LITERATURA ESPAÑOLA DE LOS SIGLOS XIX Y XX - CÓDIGO 721 PROF. JULIO E. CHECA PUERTA - DEP. DE HUMANIDADES: FILOSOFÍA, LENGUAJE Y LITERATURA CURSOS DE ESTUDIOS HISPÁNICOS - UC3M ASIGNATURA LITERATURA ESPAÑOLA SIGLOS XIX - XXI PROFESOR JULIO E. CHECA PUERTA jcheca@hum.uc3m.es PRESENTATION INTRODUCTION TO 19TH CENTURY SPANISH LITERATURE START OF THE READING AND ANALYSIS OF MISERICORDIA ANALYSIS OF MISERICORDIA ANALYSIS OF MISERICORDIA END OF THE READING AND ANALYSIS OF MERCY ANALYSIS OF RETABLO DE LA AVARICIA, LA LUJURIA Y LA MUERTE ANALYSIS OF RETABLO DE LA AVARICIA, LA LUJURIA Y LA MUERTE ANALYSIS OF RETABLO DE LA AVARICIA, LA LUJURIA Y LA MUERTE ANALYSIS OF RETABLO DE LA AVARICIA, LA LUJURIA Y LA MUERTE ANALYSIS POETA EN NUEVA YORK ANALYSIS POETA EN NUEVA YORK ANALYSIS POETA EN NUEVA YORK ANALYSIS POETA EN NUEVA YORK READING AND COMMENTARY OF LA CASA DE LA FUERZA READING AND COMMENTARY OF LA CASA DE LA FUERZA READING AND COMMENTARY OF LA CASA DE LA FUERZA READING AND COMMENTING ON CONTEMPORARY STORIES READING AND COMMENTING ON CONTEMPORARY STORIES READING AND COMMENTING ON CONTEMPORARY STORIES READING AND COMMENTING ON CONTEMPORARY STORIES READING AND COMMENTING ON CONTEMPORARY STORIES CONCLUSIONS.

METHODOLOGY AND ASSESSMENT The bridging of theory and praxis in this course will provide the basis for our ongoing supervision and assessment of the students. The following expectations should thereby be kept in mind: a) Regular attendance and puncuality are required. The final grade will reflect, in part, the student¿s ongoing and active engagement in class discussions. It will also reflect the student¿s spirit of cooperation, positive disposition and interest in the material as manifested in the execution of informal and formal daily tasks assigned throughtout the semester. Finally, attendance at certain events (theater, performance, film) will also be taken into account. b) All students are required to complete all scheduled activities and assignments: readings, submission of commentaries, oral reports, etc. Specific guidelines to be followed will be presented in glass. Students should consider seriously the benefit of meeting with the professor during office hours. c) Students will work in small groups to prepare oral reports on selected themes and texts. The topic may focus on aspects of Spanish literature that are of special interest to the students but, that for reasons of time, are not covered in the syllabus. d) Students interested in deepening their understanding of the material are encouraged to develop their own personal program of readings. The professor is available for helping with this during office hours. READINGS 1) Selection of Spanish short stories from the political transition to the present. Students will receive a code for picking this up in ¿Reprografía.¿ 2) Selection of Spanish poetry from the political transition to the present. Students will receive a code for picking this up in ¿Reprografía.¿ 3) Juan Mayorga, Himmelweg (Theater). Available in the library. 4) Angélica Liddell, La casa de la fuerza (Theater). Available in the library. 5) Julio Llamazares, La lluvia amarilla (Novel). Available in the library. 6) Lucía Echevarría, Amor, curiosidad, Prozac y dudas (Novel). Available in the library. 7) Clara Sánchez, Últimas noticias del paraíso (Novel). Available in the library. 8) Javier Cercas, Soldados de Salamina (Novel). Available in the library.