Foreign Impressions of Spain in the Twentieth Century
History 400-02: Spring 2004
University of Alicante, Spain
Dale Graden
Graden@uidaho.edu  

Twentieth-century Spain has raised big questions for Spaniards and foreigners alike. How does one explain its rich liberal thought and cultural expression from 1890-1930 while reactionary politics flourished? Do we seek the roots of the rise of fascism in the
counter-reformation of the 16th century? Can we see the Iberian Peninsula as an integral part of 20th century west Europe, or something separate and distinct?

This course provides an overview of 20th century Spanish history and culture. Numerous individuals visited and resided in Spain for extended periods. Their experiences influenced Spain and had profound repercussions when those “foreigners” returned to their home countries. Emphasis is placed on the Spanish Civil War and the historical memory of that war.

The requirements for this course are three book critiques of your choosing, from the required list or books of your choice that we agree upon. Everyone is required to write a book critique of Ellwood's Franco, and the critique is due on Monday 2 February.

Please do not miss the class meetings. Your grade will be based on the three book critiques (75%) and your involvement in the course (25%).

Readings:

Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls (New York: Scribner, 1995) ISBN 0684803356

George Orwell, Homage to Catalonia (New York: Harvest Books, 1987) ISBN 0156421178

Anthony Beevor, The Spanish Civil War (New York: Penguin, 2001) ISBN 0141001488 (recommended)

Peter N. Carroll, The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Americans in the Spanish Civil War (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1994) ISBN 0804722773

Pablo Neruda, Spain in the Heart: Hymn to the Glories of the People at War (1936-37)/ España en el Corazón: Himno a las Glorias del Pueblo en la Guerra, trans. Richard Schaaf (Azul Editions, 1997) ISBN 1885214146 (This poem is out of print, but there are inexpensive copies available at Amazon.com. Not a major problem if the student is not able to purchase it. I will have a copy with me)

Chris Stewart, Driving over Lemons: An Optimist in Spain (New York: Vintage, 2001) ISBN 0375709150

Sheelagh Ellwood, Franco (New York: Longman, 2000) ISBN 0582437539

Introduction Wednesday January 14

Week One 19, 21 Jan

The End of Spain’s empire in 1898

Reading: begin Ellwood, Franco
recommended is Miguel Barnet, Biography of a Runaway Slave

Week Two 26, 28 Jan

World War One and Spain

Reading: finish Ellwood, Franco

Week Three 2, 4 Feb

On Monday 2 Feb, required first book critique is due on Ellwood, Franco, and we will discuss the book in class

On Wed 4 Feb a discussion of the 1920s 

Week Four 9, 11 Feb

Spain in the 1920s-early 1930s

Reading: begin Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls 
recommended is Anthony Beevor, The Spanish Civil War

view the film "Land and Freedom"

Week Five 16, 18 Feb

Hemingway and the world

Reading: finish Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls

On Wednesday 18 Feb, optional book critique number two is due on Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and discussion of For Whom the Bell Tolls

Week Six 23, 25 Feb

Spain's Civil War

Reading: begin Orwell, Homage to Catalonia

view the film "Ay Carmela"

Week Seven 1,3 March

Orwell’s politics

Reading: conclude Orwell, Homage to Catalonia

Week Eight 8, 10 March

Orwell and Spain

On Monday 8 March, optional book critique number three is due on Orwell, Homage to Catalonia, and discussion of Homage to Catalonia

Week Nine 15, 17 March

Neruda as poet and international observer

Reading: Pablo Neruda, Spain in the Heart: Hymn to the Glories of the People at War (1936-37)/ España en el Corazón: Himno a las Glorias del Pueblo en la Guerra, trans. Richard Schaaf. If you do not have a copy of this poem, we will make a copy.

Week Ten 22, 24 March

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade

Reading: begin Carroll, The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Americans in the Spanish Civil War

view the film "American Women in the Spanish Civil War"

Week Eleven 29, 31 March

Civil War as Historical Memory

Reading: conclude Carroll, The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Americans in the Spanish Civil War

view the film "The Good Fight"

Week Twelve 5, 7 April

On Monday 5 April, optional book critique number four is due on Caroll, The Odyssey, and discussion of the Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade

Spring Break

Week Thirteen 26, 28 April

Perspectives in the late 20th century

Reading: Chris Stewart, Driving over Lemons: An Optimist in Spain

Week Fourteen 3, 5 May

On Monday 3 May, optional book critique number five is due on Steward, Driving Over Lemons, and discussion of Driving Over Lemons

Wednesday 5 May, conclusions

A few recommended books

Montse Armengou, Franco's Forgotten Children
Enrique Gonzalez Duro, El miedo en la posguerra
Javier Cerca, Soldados de Salamina
Dulche Cachon, The Sleeping Voice
Arthur Koestler, Spanish Testament
Andre Malraux, Man's Hope
Gabriel Jackson
Hugh Thomas
Peter Wyden
Fred Thomas, Tot Tilt at Windmills: A Memoir of the Spanish Civil War
Santos Julia, coordinador, Victimas de la guerra civil
Ruth Behar, The Presence of the Past in a Spanish Village: Santa Maria del Monte

Poets present during the Spanish Civil War

Pablo Neruda
Octavio Paz
Andre Gide
Ilja Ehrenburg
Rafael Alberti
Antonio Alberti
Antonio Machado
Federico Lorca
W.H. Auden
Stephen Spender
Edwin Rolfe
John Cornford
Michael Quinn
Miguel Hernandez
Langston Hughes
Dorothy Baker
Joan Miro
J. dos Passos

A few recommended Films

Soldiers of Salamina (Soldados de Salamina)
La Hora de los Valientes
La Lengua de las Mariposas
Bodas de Sangre
The Mystery of Picasso
El Lapiz del Carpinteiro
La Vaquilla
Volver e Empezar
El Portero
Muerte en Granada
Las Bicicletas son para el Verano
Canciones para despues de una Guerra