HISP 388 - Peninsular Seminar

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2025/26a: Huellas/Traces: Hispanophone Cultural Production. This course, held in Spanish, surveys the profound and vital media signatures produced by people of African, Roma, Arabic, and Asian descent in their respective diasporas toward Spain. We explore recent decolonized revisions of Spanish history that shift the focus from Spain as the recipient of migration to Spain as the site of knowledge production by historically underrepresented communities. Looking at the periods from the 19th century to the 21st century, we analyze a range of media artifacts–literature, audiovisual media, graphic novels, photography, music and performance–by diasporic communities on issues of structural racism; critiques of post-racism in the legal sphere; gender, migrant rights; and struggles for access and (self) representation. We consider the relationship of these expressions to current forms of celebration and collaboration in groups in Spain and beyond that seek to affirm their heritage, memory and existence. Nicolás Vivalda.

Topic for 2025/26b: Magic, Witchcraft and Sorcery: Mapping Gender Disparity, Racial Injustice and Religious Conflicts in Early Modern Spain. Magic, witchcraft and sorcery have been practiced for centuries with different levels of “popularity” depending on the era. In the Middle Ages, for instance, there was a fierce witch hunt, while in the 19^th century, there was a resurgence of spiritism and an increasing interest in communicating with the dead. In this course we explore the literary representation of several superstitions and practices linked to the world of witchcraft in early modern Spain. Approaching these works from a sociological point of view allows us to analyze a series of interrelated racial, gender and economic issues connected to the study of this field. From this broad approach, witches, sorceresses and female wizards are studied as cultural standpoints, literary constructs denoting the multiple contradictions and tensions of early modern Spanish society. Materials for analysis include selections of legal, religious and mystical writings, along with literary works by Fernando de Rojas and Miguel de Cervantes. Nicolás Vivalda.

One 2-hour period.

Course Format: CLS