Upon successful completion of this module, students should have the ability to be: receptive and informed readers of the novels selected for study; to assimilate and evaluate the work of critics; to write (including under examination conditions) well-structured and persuasive essays (in English or Spanish), in an accurate and appropriate critical idiom, demonstrating close reading skills and a reflective engagement with secondary materials; to give an overview and interpretation of the development of the Spanish novel under Franco; to convey an analysis in a concise 15-minute presentation on a prescribed topic.

In class, 4 set texts are considered: Cela, 'La familia de Pascual Duarte'; Matute, 'Primera memoria'; Fernández Santos, 'Los bravos'; Delibes, 'Cinco horas con Mario'. Students should acquire their own copy of their selected texts and read them closely, preferably before the module commences.

Students must write 2 coursework essays. They additionally give an oral presentation. There is a 2-hour exam paper in which the remaining 2 authors are tackled.

Topics covered include censorship, 'tremendismo', objectivist and experimental writing, the memory of the Civil War, gender politics, town versus country, and the shifting cultural landscape of Spain from the 40s to the late 60s.

A high level of Spanish language proficiency (Level C1 of the European Framework, or its equivalent) is required.

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

In preparation for the coursework essay, there will be an individual or joint presentation in class. Students receive feedback and advice from the lecturer and their peers which should help them to enhance their written essay.