Spanish 590A -- Welcome/home

	Iowa State University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
	Spanish 590A
	Convivencia - Christian, Muslim, and Jewish Cultures In Early Modern Spain
	Web-based course, June 4 - July 13, 2007 3 credits (non-credit option available)

Instructor: Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Professor of Spanish

Course Description:

This course will examine the impact of seven centuries of multiculturalism (711-1492 AD) on the formation of a ''Spanish'' identity in the early modern period. We will study Spain's social history with particular attention to the interplay of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish cultures (e.g., language, literature, music, religion, science, technology). Students will gain a basic knowledge of the three religious traditions and their tenets. By analyzing a variety of authentic literary and non-literary texts, students will be able to identify the cultural contributions of each group to what will become ''Spanish'' identity with a view to its implications for the twenty-first century.

Course Objectives:

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

identify significant moments in Spain's social and cultural history for the period 700-1492
describe the basic tenets of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian religions as manifested in the time period under study
explain and critique the notion of ''convivencia'' or ''coexistence'' as applied to Spanish history
demonstrate a knowledge of critical terms, techniques, and concepts used in discussing texts from this period
demonstrate proficiency in writing short analyses of literary and non-literary texts in the target language and use secondary sources on relevant topics
identify the cultural contributions of Muslims, Christians, and Jews to the formation of a Spanish identity

Course Prerequisites:

A good reading knowledge of Spanish or senior-level college study in Spanish language, literature or cultures.

Computer Requirements:

Computer with internet access and e-mail capabilities

Required Materials:

Constable, Olivia Remie, ed. 1997. Medieval Iberia: Reading from Chrisitan, Muslim, and Jewish Sources. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997. ISBN 0812215699
Fletcher,Richard. Moorish Spain. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1992.
Ali, Tariq. Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree. London-NY: Verso Books, 1993. ISBN 0860916766.
"The Quest for El Cid" by Fletcher, Oxford Publishing, 1989, ISBN 0195069552

Plus materials available on course web.