This is a cultural studies course that introduces students to the unity-in-diversity of the Hispanic heritage in the Old and New Worlds. In particular it examines relations between Spain and the Americas from 1492 to 1992, and traces Hispanic identity in terms of shared traditions and a common language that develop around the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Pacific regions. It is also a core civilisation course that is essential for students who intend to major or minor in Spanish, or minor in Latin American Studies, as it considers the formation and evolution of Hispanic culture in relation to the study of language, history, litera­ture, art, music, and film.

It compares paral­lel developments in Spain and Latin America: ethnic diversity vs. na­tion­al unity; religious fervour vs. secular authority; democratic reform vs. dictatorial power; artistic glory vs. socio-economic crisis. It studies the evolution of Hispanic culture in terms of national foundation, colonial interaction, postcolonial rivalries and postmodern global­i­sation. It examines official and popular culture in examples from literature, art, myth and folklore. Hispanic culture is viewed as a living and contradictory subject that continuously reinvents its tradition, refashions its self-image, and reinterprets its symbols.

    This is also a multimedia course that draws on a wide repertoire of illustrative materials so as to help students experience more directly the impact of Hispanic culture in all its rich variety. Media include:

• computer-assisted presentations with Powerpoint, Slide Show; CD-ROM encyclopedias;
• photo and music CDs; films on DVD and VHS videos; slides; and OHP transparencies.

NOTE: Cecil will have weekly postings of class lecture notes and announcements. Enrolled students also have course web page (with password access) as follows: http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/online/index.cfm?S=OL_SPANISH103

There are also many useful links about Hispanic culture included on the Spanish Dept. web site at:
http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/departments/index.cfm?P=5552

Web-based resources areaccesed from the Arts Faculty computer labs in the Humans Sciences Building and around 150 films on Spanish and Latin American culture can be viewed in the Audiovisual Library (Arts level 2).  The Spanish Dept. shows a film series each semester. Students watch the videos of The Buried Mirror (parts 1-5)  in the AV Library, and consult the book of the same title in General Library short loan. Study guides for videos are  provided in class.