Objectives: This course offers an introduction to the Hispanic world through cinema. By studying cinematic movements, and the contexts to which they respond, and by analyzing the aesthetic and political choices made by directors and scriptwriters, students will expand their knowledge of a major global culture and refine their ability to write cogent analyses of artistic works. SPAN*1500 introduces the history of filmmaking in the Hispanic world. The course studies representative works from Spain and Spanish America from the 1960s to the present.  Major films by influential directors such as Luis Buñuel, Carlos Saura and Pedro Almodóvar from Spain and Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Alejandro Gonzélez Iñárritu, Alfonso Cuarrón, Jayro Bustamente and Claudia Llosa from Spanish America will be studied as both aesthetic objects and products of the distinctive cultural, historical and political circumstances of Spain and Spanish America. Themes explored will include the contexts in which the films were released, the economic and political difficulties facing film production and distribution, censorship, competition from Hollywood, concepts of genre, ideological commitment and the role of the director as well as issues such as poverty, migration, ethnic difference, political conflict and the roles of women and sexual minorities.

Prerequisite: None.

Learning outcomes:  Upon completion of this course, diligent students will be able to:

--Speak in an informed way about the contexts in which Spanish and Spanish American cultural production occurs;

--Express familiarity with the traits of works by significant Hispanic film directors;

--Analyze works of art in brief essays;

--Present and defend a written analysis of a film or text with increased confidence.

Method of Evaluation:

Class participation/ contribution to course discussion……………..15%

In-class writing assignments [Number to be determined]………….45%

Final exam…………………………………………………………..40%

Class participation, while not evaluated on attendance, is not possible unless you attend class.

***Please bring a pen and notebook to class to write notes, exercises or assignments.***