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Tales of Muslim Spain (SPAN30022)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2024
About this subject
Overview
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This subject is available to students from the Spanish and Latin American Studies program, as well as to breadth students with no Spanish language proficiency. Taught in Spanish and English, Tales of Muslim Spain takes students on a journey from Madrid to southern Spain, and Morocco. Tales of Muslim Spain teaches students about the influence of Muslim culture on Spanish way of life through a combination of course work, visits to cities, villages, and landscapes; and on-site experiences, including flamenco events, concerts, nightlife, culinary activity, and visits to art galleries. Students will gain, too, an understanding of Spain as a nation and kingdom uniquely positioned between Africa and Europe. Students will additionally examine (in Spanish or English) the role of historical fiction in contemporary Spain as Spaniards seek to reimagine the past by re-framing their historical treatment of Muslim and Jewish communities to project a self-image of religious and cultural tolerance. The subject will equip students with the conceptual and practical tools for developing intercultural sensitivity and cultural humility in their interactions with other cultures during their time in Spain and North Africa.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate Spain's historical relationship with its Jewish and Muslim communities
- Identify and discuss Muslim and Jewish influence on Spanish culture
- Appraise and discuss intercultural issues with reference to theory
- Describe Spanish nationalism and imperialism and its influence on contemporary Spain with reference to secondary material
- Explain what is unique about Spain's unique position between both Europe and Africa with reference to fiction or non-fiction texts
- Experience and self-reflectively critique how Spain's Muslim history is expressed in its iconic cultural forms, including dance, gastronomy, art, and architecture
- Visit important cities and places in Morocco for experiential learning and to experience first-hand an array of cultural forms, including dance, gastronomy, art, and architecture
- Critically evaluate how Spain uses historical fiction to sustain an image of tolerance and openness in its relationship with its Muslim and Jewish past
- Give presentations front of students and teachers about one aspect of the course and lead group presentation on one aspect of the fieldwork.
Generic skills
- Increased critical self-awareness and openness to new ideas
- Developed intercultural communication skills/cultural humility
- Understood the importance of reflection to the development of intercultural competence skills
- Developed time management and work planning skills
- Improved written and oral skills
- Developed analytical and critical skills
- Improved research skills
- Enhanced information literacy skills
- Improved public speaking
- Improved leadership skills
- Developed a collaborative approach to learning through reflective participation in all activities.
Last updated: 6 December 2024