Spanish Culture & Civilization

Catalog description

This is a history and art history course on Spain that begins in the pre-historical period and ends in the early twentieth century. Students learn about the most famous and consequential events that make Spain the country it is today. Material heritage is taught as the “visible history,” from the cave paintings of Altamira, the dolmens and menhirs scattered throughout the peninsula, and Roman ruins. And architecture (another form of material heritage) is also taught as visible history, beginning with Arabic palaces and Christian medieval churches and cathedrals through the Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassic, Art Nouveau, and ending in the Rationalist period. The course is taught to a considerable extent in Spanish