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Spanish Literature: The Golden Age

This is an advanced literature course on Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece, Don Quixote. Special focus on situating the novel in its intellectual and historical context and on the development of close reading and analytical skills.

Note that this course is taught in Spanish.

About the course

Content

The course will be dedicated to close readings of Miguel de Cervantes’ novel Don Quixote with a particular focus on the first volume. Lectures will situate the work in its historical, literary, artistic and intellectual context. Topics to be considered may include:

  • the social and political history of Golden Age Spain and the social critique of the novel
  • the relation between the novel and other literary genres: books of chivalry, Greek romance, the pastoral novel, the Petrarchan tradition, etc.
  • metanarrative elements in the novel
  • the representation of religious ‘others’
  • the relation between the novel and the visual arts
  • the reception history of the novel

Through interactive exercises, oral presentations and written assignments, students will improve their listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in Spanish.

Learning outcomes

  • Advanced mastery of Spanish, including fluent speaking ability.
  • Familiarity with the literary traditions and intellectual movements of Golden Age Spain and ability to situate texts within literary, historical and stylistic contexts.
  • A working knowledge of the history and culture of Golden Age Spain.
  • Ability to situate passages and critical works about Spain in their context and to think about them critically.
  • A strong awareness of language and its role in human interactions and cultural production.
  • Ability to think analytically about cultural, historical, literary and linguistic problems.
  • Ability to report orally and in writing in Spanish.
  • Deep familiarity with the studied texts and an ability to do insightful close readings of passages from them.
  • Ability to draw intelligent connections among the studied texts.
  • Ability to read and understand a Spanish text from the Golden Age.
  • Intellectual curiosity and a lifelong commitment to learning.
  • Strong mastery of academic Spanish.

Teaching methods

Seminar, Independent work, Peer teaching

Extra information on the teaching methods: Interactive seminar, exercises and presentations: online

Assessment method(s)

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions, Written assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions, Written assessment

Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Participation, Presentation, Assignment

Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: examination during the second examination period is not possible

Calculation of the examination mark:

Homework, preparation for and participation in class sessons: 20%.

It is mandatory to read the assigned reading before each class. Unannounced reading quizzes may be given, which will count as part of the preparation grade.

Presentation 20%

Written exam 60%

Language use will be an important evaluation criterion in both oral and written assessments. Attendance in the classes is mandatory. If a student does not participate in at least 75% of the lessons, he/she will not pass this course.

Lecturers

Amann, Elizabeth: lecturer-in-charge

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of academic year 2026-2027:

  • Educational activities: September 21 to December 12, 2026
  • Catch-up activities: December 14 to December 19, 2026
  • Christmas break: December 21, 2026 to January 2, 2027
  • Examination period: January 4 to January 30, 2027
  • Resit Examination period: August 16 to September 18, 2027

There will be one online lecture per week from September 21 to December 12, 2026. This will take place on Fridays from 13:00 pm to 15:45 pm (CEST/CET). Attendance is mandatory. Lectures will not be recorded.

Entry requirements: a level of Spanish sufficient to understand and take notes on a lecture in Spanish and to read a literary text in Spanish

Type: virtual course

Level: Bachelor

Host: Ghent University

Focus area: Culture and Creativity

Study field: Humanities

Course dates: Sep 21, 2026 - Jan 30, 2027

Apply by: August 17, 2026

ECTS: 5

Registration status: Open

Number of places available: 25 in total

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