The Invention of the Novel: Fiction and Society in Renaissance Spain

In the space of ten years, at the mid-sixteenth century, four genres made their first appearance in Spain: the picaresque, pastoral and Moorish (or captivity) novels, and the novel of foreign customs and adventures. This course examines how and why these novels, and the more complex novels that followed, became key instruments for commentary and dissent in a society with little tolerance for both pursuits. Working individually and in groups, we will also undertake a series of exercises in close and critical reading to hone analytical skills. All readings, discussions and assignments will be done in Spanish.