Brief description
An introduction to Mexican society through a brief study of the Mexican Revolution, its origins and aftermath, followed by the detailed study of literary texts inspired by the revolution.

The year 1910 saw the outbreak of a major revolution in Mexico which was to plunge the country into nearly a decade of civil wars and to exercise an influence until the present day. The module offers a brief introduction to Mexican society through a study of the Mexican Revolution, its origins and aftermath. The remainder of the module is devoted to the so-called 'novel of the Mexican Revolution' and the study of individual texts inspired, in part at least, by the Revolution and its consequences.

Weeks 1-3 - Study of the Mexican Revolution
Weeks 4-6 - Azuela, Los de abajo
Weeks 7-9 - Rulfo, Pedro Paramo
Weeks 10-12 - Fuentes, La muerte de Artemio Cruz

Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will:

1) be able to describe the major trends of Mexican history from independence to the period after the Mexican Revolution;
2) be able to relate key literary texts to thier historical background;
3) be able to read and analyse literary texts with greater critical awareness
4) have had further training in

a) oral presentations
b) writing essays