Humans are animals and yet most people today, like in the past, consider animals to be something other than humans. But what exactly is the difference? This course sets out to understand from a specifically Iberian perspective how humans have historically defined themselves in relation to animals, how animals in turn have been variously defined by humans, and how those definitions have changed over time. We will discuss these questions and assess various answers derived from close readings of visual and literary culture from Iberia. This course will also survey key approaches in contemporary Animal Studies and assess their utility for literary and cultural studies of the past and present. Readings and discussion will be primarily in Spanish with some theoretical and comparative reading in English.
- Docente: Luis Rodriguez-Rincon