Module SPAN3161: VISUAL CULTURE IN MEXICO

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Spanish)

SPAN3161: VISUAL CULTURE IN MEXICO

Prerequisites

• Spanish Language 2A (SPAN2011) OR Spanish Language 2B (SPAN2111) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

• Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Spanish Language 4 (SPAN3011) or Spanish Language 4 following Year Abroad (SPAN3121). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To explore a range of visual texts including film, photography and art produced within specific historical and cultural contexts within Mexico.

Content

• The visual has always played a central role in Mexican culture.
• Its importance for an understanding of issues of cultural identity can be traced to the time of the conquest and colonisation which can be interpreted, on one level, as a struggle between radically opposed conceptions of the visual image.
• This module takes the privileged status of the visual as a starting point and explores a range of texts - from painting, to photography, to film - made at different historical periods and across a variety of geographical locations.
• Drawing on theoretical approaches to visual presentation, the module wishes to raise issues around concepts s such as the gaze, power, identity, memory etc.
• and their relationship to questions of identity in Mexico.
• Typical 'texts' include photographic images from the Casasola Archive of the Mexican Revolution, Films from the Argentine cinema of redemocratization (La historia oficial, Hombre Mirando al sudeste).
• colonial Casta paintings.

Learning Outcomes

• Through analysis of selected images and films students should be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of theoretical and cultural contexts of their production.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be conducted via seminars for which students will be expected to prepare on a weekly basis and to participate actively.
• Preparation for seminars will take the form of small individual and group research projects, film viewing and selected critical readings accompanied by worksheets that cover theoretical aspects of the module.
• The seminars will explore individual images and films in the light of the preparatory work.
• Essay work and end of year examination will require students to draw on this preparatory work.
• In preparation for the summative assessment, students will be expected to produce two summative essays on which they will receive detailed feedback in the form of written comments and oral feedback in tutorials.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University