Don Quijote

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this course we will study Don Quixote, one of the very first modern novels, in the artistic and historical contexts of early modern Spain including: imperialism, changing modes of spirituality, the expulsion of Jews and Moriscos, the rise of urban society, the expansion of print culture, and new genres of leisure reading. In addition, we will explore the ways in which Don Quixote has been used as a cultural touchstone up until present. In this light, we will also consider how a text becomes—and remains—a canonical masterpiece, and the role of such “masterworks” in cultural and historical memory. This course will be conducted in English; students may read Don Quixote in Spanish or in translation (in English) and students may write papers in Spanish or English. This course counts toward the Spanish major and minor and meets the HALC requirement. This course is open to undergraduates and graduate students.