Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05
The crónica and testimonio genres share the urgency and authority of witness and the drive to propel the reader to action. From the early days of the Spanish conquest, witnesses used the crónica to understand the past and present, pointing out injustice and demanding reform. Testimonio, a more recent genre of ‘ordinary’ people bearing witness, which is intended to give voice to historically marginalised groups, has itself generated debates about whose ‘truth’ is being told, whose voice is ‘authentic’ and who gets to tell whose stories. This course brings these narrative forms, from the colonial period to the recent past, together as a way of listening to marginalised voices, understanding a range of perspectives on Spanish America and understanding the enduring power of bearing witness. This course will also examine the debates which these texts have prompted, debates which, even when they include critical voices, show the enduring power of the first-hand account.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Second Sub Session | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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The crónica and testimonio genres share the urgency and authority of witness and the drive to propel the reader to action. From the early days of the Spanish conquest, witnesses used the crónica to understand the past and present, pointing out injustice and demanding reform. Testimonio, a more recent genre of ‘ordinary’ people bearing witness, which is intended to give voice to historically marginalised groups, has itself generated debates about whose ‘truth’ is being told, whose voice is ‘authentic’ and who gets to tell whose stories. This course brings these narrative forms, from the colonial period to the recent past, together as a way of listening to marginalised voices, understanding a range of perspectives on Spanish America and understanding the enduring power of bearing witness. This course will also examine the debates which these texts have prompted, debates which, even when they include critical voices, show the enduring power of the first-hand account.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
Analysis of one of the set texts (30%)
2,000 word Chronicle Report (50%)
Group-organised class discussion (20%)
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Through study of these texts, students will gain a greater understanding of range of issues and debates in Spanish American history, and analyse these issues from diverse and nuanced. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will evaluate the discourses and narratives represented in these texts, generating their own conclusions. |
| Reflection | Remember | Students will understand, reflect on and analyse a range of crónica and testimonio narratives in their social context. |
| Procedural | Apply | Students will develop their critical thinking and communication skills. |
| Factual | Understand | Students will analyse and evaluate the debates generated by testimonio literature, reflecting on how testimonios offer insight into contemporary debates. |
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