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Spain from Absolutism to Democracy

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. Demonstrate an understanding of the key developments relating to the history of modern Spain.
• 2. Summarise and evaluate different historiographical perspectives to the history of modern Spain
• 3. Critically evaluate the key social, cultural, political and economic trends relating to the history of modern Spain.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate an ability to analyse the key developments in a defined historical subject.
• 5. Demonstrate an ability to understand and deploy complex historical terminology correctly.
• 6. Demonstrate an ability to handle different approaches to history in a contested area of historical study

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Select, organise and analyse material for written work and oral presentations of different prescribed lengths and formats.
• 8. Present complex arguments orally.
• 9. Present an argument in a written form in a clear and organised manner, with appropriate use of correct English
• 10. Through essay development process, demonstrate ability to reflect critically on your own work, to respond constructively to feedback, and to implement suggestions and improve work on this basis

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)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

The re-assessment consists of a 3000-word written assignment, as in the original assessment, but replaces participation in the group presentation with an individual presentation equivalent to an individual’s contribution, to be recorded and submitted with all supporting materials as for the original assessment; failing this, students should submit a written script that could be delivered in such a presentation (750 words) along with all supporting materials as for 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

• 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: Unwin Hyman, 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

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11605 

Key words search

Spain, monarchy and absolutism, religion, class, gender, family, nationalism, revolution, Franco, dictatorship,