Spain from Absolutism to Democracy
| Module title | Spain from Absolutism to Democracy |
|---|---|
| Module code | HIH2145A |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Tim Rees (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 36 |
|---|
Module description
In this module we will examine the turbulent history of Spain from the nineteenth century to the present day. One of the most culturally diverse countries in Europe, during this period Spain underwent a remarkable political development: just about every shade of political ideology and form of government vied for control, leading to a series of civil wars (the most famous in the 1930s), dictatorships and liberal experiments. Spain was the first European country to be eclipsed as an imperial power before becoming a leading advocate of European integration. The country was also transformed from one of the most backward economies and societies in the nineteenth century to one of the most advanced in the late twentieth century. This module is taught through the medium of English and no knowledge of other languages is required.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will gain an understanding of the modern history of Spain, covering its political, economic, social and cultural development.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand the main themes in the subject, together with a very close knowledge of the areas selected for essay and presentation work
- 2. Trace the changing nature of, and approaches to the modern history of Spain
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Analyse the key developments in a complex political and social environment
- 4. Comprehend profoundly different approaches to history in a deeply contested area
- 5. Understand and deploy complex historical issues
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Undertake independent study and group work, including the presentation of material for group discussion, developed through the mode of learning
- 7. Digest, select and organise material to produce, to a deadline, a coherent and cogent argument, developed through the mode of assessment
- 8. Present arguments orally, and to work in a group
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Absolutism and the liberal revolution
- The Carlist wars
- The moderate ascendancy
- The First Republic
- The Restoration
- The Primo de Rivera Dictatorship
- The Second Republic
- The Spanish Civil War
- The Franco regime
- Democratic Spain
- the role of the military
- Catholicism and the Catholic Church
- The position of the Monarchy
- Economic and social development
- Spain and the world
- Cultural development
- Regional nationalism
- Political and social movements
- Women, men and the family
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided independent study | 22 | Web-based activities located on ELE preparation for seminars and presentations |
| Guided independent study | 234 | Reading and preparation for seminars and presentations |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1-7 | Oral and written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 40 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 60 | 3000 words | 1-6 | Oral and written |
| Take Home Exam | 40 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 3000 word essay | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Take Home Exam | Take Home Exam, 2,500 words | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
The re-assessment consists of a 3000 word essay and take home exam, as in the original assessment.
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Raymond Carr, Spain 1808-1975 (OUP, 1982)
- Antonio Cazorla, Fear and Progress: Ordinary Lives in Franco’s Spain (Oxford: Blackwell, 2009)
- Charles Esdaile, Spain in the Liberal Age (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000)
- Jose Alvarez Junco and Adrian Shubert (eds.), Spanish History Since 1808 (London: Edward Arnold, 2001)
- Adrian Shubert, A Social History of Modern Spain (London: UnwinHyman, 1990)
- Gabriel Tortella, The Development of Modern Spain (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard, 2000)
- Mary Vincent, Spain 1833-2002: People and State (Oxford: OUP, 2002)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 26/09/2012 |
| Last revision date | 20/08/2020 |