Browse Hierarchy HSP6025: Spanish and Catalan Humour: 1490 to the present day

This module will introduce students to humour in Spain from 1490 to the present day across a broad range of genres such as chivalric fiction, graphic novels, caricature, political satire and television. In order to examine the use of humour in the selected material, it will also provide students with an overview of some of the key theories of humour developed from the fields of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics, encouraging students to engage with contemporary debates concerning, among others, the power of humour to effect change; the complexities of translating humour; humour and freedom of speech and humour as an effective weapon. The tumultuous Spanish context, which comprises periods of repression, war and dictatorship offers an excellent series of case studies to both tackle these debates and enjoy. This optional module is designed to be taught at level 6 for students following the single honours or combined honours programmes of study in Catalan Studies or Hispanic Studies. It is also available as an option to Comparative Literature and Associate students. The module is designed to provide students with an overview of the humour tradition in Spain from 1490 to the present day across a range of genres such as chivalric fiction, graphic novels, caricature, political satire, graphic novels and television. In order to engage with the humor in the selected material, students will also be introduced to key theories of humour developed from the fields of Philosophy, Psychology and Linguistics. Texts and other material will be in Spanish and Catalan and available in translation for Comparative Literature students. Students of Spanish will be expected to read material and quote in Spanish for their assessment and may use translations for the Catalan texts, provided they are not enrolled for a named Catalan programme. Students enrolled on a named Catalan programme will be expected to read and quote in Catalan and/or Spanish (as appropriate).