This course will provide students with a global vision of the Spanish Civil War in historical and literary frameworks. Understanding historical facts and Civil War literature will enable the student to think critically about the evolution of Spain in the 20th century and the impact of war on literature and ideology. This program will awaken your interest for Spanish history and literature, Spain under Franco’s authoritarian rule, and the subsequent development of a monarchical democracy.

During the spring semester, students will learn about the division of Spanish society before 1930, the rise of regional nationalism, the Second Republic, and the journey from Francisco Franco’s dictatorship to a democracy. Spanish and non-Spanish literature will demonstrate various points of view on the conflict during this era, and how these works have left a lasting impression on society today.

Traveling abroad for approximately 3 weeks in June 2016, faculty and students will visit sites throughout Madrid while studying the Spanish Civil War in classroom space in the city. Activities in and around the city may include: the Brunete and Jarama battlefields, El Escorial Monastery, Valle de los Caidos, as well as cultural performances and museums. Living in Madrid for three weeks will give the travelers a very intimate perspective of the city. Excursions may also include day or weekend trips to Segovia, Guernica and Asturias.

This course may be most appropriate for students interested in Spanish history, language and culture, international studies, and political science.

The academic course associated with this program is LANG/POLS/INTS/SPAN 398/399 – Spain: Civil War to Democracy. This course may count as SPAN 370 if novels are read in Spanish. The course is taught by Drs. Maggie Commins and Liliana Wendorff.

This is an OPEN program.

Prep course in SPRING, travel in JUNE.

*Itinerary and planned activities subject to change.*