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Contemporary Catalan Poetry

Code: 105841
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Catalan Philology: Literary Studies and Linguistics OB 2
English and Catalan Studies OB 3
Catalan and Spanish Studies OB 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Víctor Martinez Gil
Email :
victor.martinez@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

No prerequisite.

Objectives

The aim is to deepen the knowledge of Catalan poetry of the 20th century that could have been acquired previously. With this goal some important books of the poetry of this century will be analyzed in relation to the currents and the poetic ones that characterize it.


Preference will be given to the detailed analysis of poems, and to the diverse documentation that allows to contextualise and illuminate them, in order to arrive at a reading or global interpretation of the book. Students are expected to progress in the written comment on poetic and critical texts, and in the oral exposition and defense of their readings.

Learning outcomes

  1. Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
  2. Identify principal and secondary ideas and express them using correct language.
  3. Identify the relationships between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
  4. Identify the key elements of Western cultural tradition from the 19th century to the present day.
  5. Comment on literary texts, using the instruments acquired, with regard to the historical, social and cultural context.
  6. Critically interpret literary works, taking into account the relationships between the different areas within literature and their relationship to humanistic, artistic and social areas.
  7. Produce normatively correct written and oral texts.
  8. Use technological resources (digital and audiovisual) to acquire knowledge and apply it in language and literature.
  9. Produce written work and oral presentations that are effective and framed in the appropriate register.
  10. Gain a greater capacity for reading, interpreting and critically analysing literary and linguistic texts.
  11. Make appropriate use of the knowledge acquired in order to collect data and handle documentary sources in the study of Catalan language and literature.
  12. Respect the opinions, values, behaviour and customs of others.
  13. Plan, organise and carry out work in a team.
  14. Use IT tools and be able to consult specific documentary sources.
  15. Master oral and written expression in Catalan.
  16. Produce work in accordance with academic ethics.
  17. Write original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature and of contemporary authors and works.
  18. Describe the historical context of contemporary Catalan literature and relate works to their historical and cultural context.
  19. Write historical interpretative essays on the contemporary literary tradition.
  20. Present and explain overall perspectives on phenomena of contemporary Catalan literature.
  21. Recognise literary texts from philological and comparative standpoints, apply these criteria to texts in contemporary Catalan literature and write analyses of the literary language of contemporary Catalan texts.
  22. Discern the sex/gender factor in the configuration of the literary canon.
  23. Identify the main and secondary ideas and express them with linguistic correctness.
  24. Strengthen the capacity of reading, interpretation and critical analysis of literary texts and language.
  25. Properly apply the knowledge gained to data collection and management of documentary sources application to the study of Catalan language and literature.
  26. Work independently in the synchronic and diachronic study of Catalan language and literature.
  27. Produce written and oral texts with correction rules.
  28. Maintain an attitude of respect for the opinions, values, behaviors and practices of others.
  29. Identify relationships between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
  30. Critically interpret literary works take into account the relationships between different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
  31. Produce critical texts on the main trends, the most significant authors and the most representative works in Catalan literature.
  32. Interpret Western cultural tradition from the 19th century to the present day, pinpointing features of the Western tradition in a contemporary text.
  33. Critically interpret literary works taking into account their historical and social context.
  34. Critically interpret bibliography.
  35. Write and present academic works.
  36. Write complex original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature, on contemporary authors and works.
  37. Recognize literary texts from philological bases and comparatists apply to the texts of contemporary Catalan literature and writing analysis of contemporary Catalan literary language texts.
  38. Present and explain overall perspectives on phenomena of contemporary Catalan literature.
  39. Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  40. Identifying the relationships of literature with history, art or other cultural movements.
  41. Identifying the key elements of the Western culture from the 19th century to the present.
  42. Commenting on literary texts, applying the acquired tools and taking into account the historical and sociocultural context.
  43. Apply the tools and know consult the documentary sources.
  44. Incorporate ideas and concepts from published sources into work, citing and referencing appropriately.
  45. Analyse literary texts from philological and comparative standpoints, and identify literary language models in contemporary Catalan texts.

Contents

1. "Modernisme"

The "Modernisme" and the valuation of poetry. Broadcasting platforms. Tradition and the international context. Influences. Poetic currents: Spontaneism and vitality. Joan Maragall and spontaneity. The Maragallian poets and other vitalist poets. Symbolic and Parnassian influences. Jeroni Zanné, Gabriel Alomar, Alexandre de Riquer, Miquel de Palol. The concept of Mallorcan School. Miquel Costa i Llobera, Joan Alcover.



2. "Noucentisme"

The "Noucentisme" and the valuation of poetry. Broadcasting platforms. Tradition and context international. Influences. Positive poetic lines and evolution. From a poetic dominant to a model in crisis. The career of Josep Carner. "Guerau de Liost". Josep M. López-Picó and other smaller poets. The Mallorcan School. Maria Antònia Salvà.



3. The twenties and thirties

Poetry and changes in the orientation of culture. The image of the poet. Diversification of poetic. The great tendencies of poetic creation. Post-symbolist poetry. Theoretical reflection and the debate on pure poetry. The evolution of Josep Carner and Josep M. López-Picó. Carles Riba as the central axis. Other authors. Post-symbolist poetry in the 30s. Bartomeu Rosselló-Pòrcel. The avant-garde poetry. Theoretical reflection and the connection with postsimbolism. Futurism. Diffusion channels. Josep M. Junoy, Joan Salvat-Papasseit and others. The case of Joaquim Folguera. Surrealism. Salvador Dalí and L'Amic de les Arts. The case of J. V. Foix. Other poetic. "Pere Quart" and his idea of realism. Clementina Arderiu.



4. The postwar period (1939-1959)

The situation of Catalan poetry during the postwar period. Broadcasting platforms. The international context Trends and trends: The readaptation of the post-symbolist poetry: Josep Carner, Carles Riba, J. V. Foix, Rosa Leveroni. The reappearance or discovery of the young people of the thirties. Continuity and evolution of avant-garde models: Josep Palau i Fabre, Joan Brossa. Different approaches to a poetic considered "realist": Pere Quart, Jordi Sarsanedas, Vicent Andrés Estellés. Two mythopoetic constructions: Agustí Bartra and Salvador Espriu.



5. The sixties

Historical Realism and poetry. The models and the tradition. Platforms for a decade. The poetic practice and the different concepts of realism. Francesc Vallverdú, Joaquim Horta, Lluís Alpera and others. The case of Gabriel Ferrater. Other poetic proposals. Between continuity and renewal.



6. The seventies

A new poetic context and other means of dissemination. Diversification of proposals. Between the ferratic masters, the echoes of Joan Brossa and the multiple cuttings of the flowers of the Mall: Narcís Comadira, Francesc Parcerisas, Pere Gimferrer, Maria-Mercè Marçal and feminist poetry.




READINGS


The course will give priority to the reading of poems and the global analysis of poetry books, so the theme is only a framework on which compulsory reading works and complementary texts will be added through the Virtual Campus. The books that will be worked on throughout the course are:



1. Josep CARNER, La paraula en el vent (1914), Edicions 62, 1998.


2. Carles RIBA, Primer llibre d’estances (1919). In C.R., Llibres de poesia, Edicions 62, 2019. [Digital edition in Càtedra Màrius Torres.]


3. Joan SALVAT-PAPASSEIT, L’irradiador del port i les gavines (Poemes d’Avantguarda) (1921), Edicions 62, 2007.


4. J. V. FOIX, On he deixat les claus... (1953), Quaderns Crema, 1988 (\"Obra poètica de J.V. Foix\", 5). Also in J. V. FOIX, Obres completes, vol. 1: poesia, Edicions 62, 1974; also in Obres completes de J. V. Foix. Volum primer. Obra poètica en vers i en prosa, Edicions 62 / Diputació de Barcelona, 2000. [Digital edition in Càtedra Màrius Torres.]


5. Salvador ESPRIU, Cementiri de Sinera (1946) & La pell de brau (1960). In Obres Completes — Edició Crítica, Edicions 62, 2003 & 2008. [Digital editions in Càtedra Màrius Torres.]


6. Gabriel FERRATER, Da nuces pueris (1960). In G.F., Les dones i els dies, Edicions 62, 2018, p. 23-79. [Digital edition in Càtedra Màrius Torres.]


7. Maria-Mercè MARÇAL, Cau de llunes (1977), Proa, 1998. Also in M. Mercè Marçal, Llengua abolida (1973-1988), València, Eliseu Climent editor, 1989.





Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Written commentary on poetic, theoretical and critical texts, with the teacher's guidance 25 1
Analysis and discussion of poetic, theoretical and critical texts 20 0.8
Guided reading of texts. 20 0.8
Bibliographic search. Documentary sources and resources 30 1.2
Presentation (oral or written) on a theoretical or critical text 15 0.6
Presentation, by the teacher, of the points of the program; contextualization of readings 30 1.2

The subject is distributed in theoretical sessions and reading seminars. The theoretical sessions have a panoramic and contextual character and are accompanied by the commentary of theoretical-critical texts. The sessions devoted to reading focus on the analysis of compulsory reading works and other complementary texts. A list of works and bibliographical references associated with each reading will be available.

The calendar will be available on the first day of class. Students will find all information on the Virtual Campus: the description of the activities, teaching materials, and any necessary information for the proper follow-up of the subject. In case of a change of teaching modality for health reasons, teachers will make readjustments in the schedule and methodologies.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exam (written) on the subject 50 % 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
Presentation on a theoretical or critical text 15% 3 0.12 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45
Group oral presentation on a book of 20th century Catalan poetry 35% 3 0.12 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45

The competences of this subject will be assessed by means of two exams and individual or collaborative assignments.

At the time of each assessment activity, the lecturer will inform students (via Moodle) of the procedure and date for the review of grades.

The assessment system is organised into 3 types of activities or modules, each of which will be assigned a specific weight in the final grade:

Module of presentations, analyses and discussions of texts, with an overall weight of 15% (each student will analyse a theoretical or critical text and submit the analysis in writing).

Module of written tests, two tests with a combined overall weight of 50% (25% and 25%).

Module of assignment presentations, in which a group assignment will be assessed, with an overall weight of 35%.

Individualised monitoring of students may lead to slight adaptations of these requirements. The reassessment system allows for different tests to be set according to students' learning needs, with the aim of making at least 50% of the completed activities eligible for reassessment.

Exchange students who request to take an exam early must provide the lecturer with a written document from their home university justifying their request.

To pass the subject, a minimum grade of 5 is required.

Students who have not obtained a grade of 5 in at least one of the written tests will not be able to pass the subject.

To be eligible for reassessment, students must have been previously assessed on a set of activities accounting for at least two thirds of the total grade for the subject, and must have obtained an overall grade of at least 3.5.


Students will obtain a "Not assessable/Not submitted" course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.


In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. Activities in which fraud or misuse of AI has been detected cannot be reassessed. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.


This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty and will result in the activity being graded with a zero, without the possibility of reassessment, or in more serious sanctions in cases of greater severity.


In the event that tests cannot be taken on site, their format will be adapted (maintaining the same weighting) to the possibilities offered by the UAB's virtual tools. Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or exercise discussions via Teams, ensuring that all students have access to them.


SINGLE ASSESSMENT

  1. Oral presentation on a theoretical or critical text (25%)
  2. Written assignment on a book of 20th-century Catalan poetry (25%)
  3. Final written test on the course content (50%)

Students will obtain a "Not assessable/Not submitted" course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items.

To be eligible for reassessment, students must have submitted all the assessment activities. The same reassessment system as for continuous assessment will apply.

Bibliography

Throughout the course, a more complete bibliography will be provided through the \"campus virtual\", especially with regard to compulsory readings.


Jaume AULET, "Estudi introductori". In Antologia de la poesia noucentista, Barcelona, Ed. 62, 1990, ps. 7-54.

Jaume AULET, "La poesia catalana dels anys seixanta i els diversos usos del realisme", Caplletra, n. 28 (primavera 2000), ps. 33-50.

Enric BOU (dir.), Panorama crític de la literatura catalana. Volum V: Segle XX. Del modernisme a l'avantguarda, Barcelona, Vicens Vives, 2010.

Enric BOU (dir.), Panorama crític de la literatura catalana. Volum VI: Segle XX. De la postguerra a l'actualitat, Barcelona, Vicens Vives, 2009.

Àlex BROCH, La literatura catalana dels anys setanta, Barcelona, Edicions 62, 1980.

Ferran CARBÓ, La poesia catalana del segle XX, Alzira, Bromera, 2007.

Jordi CASTELLANOS, "Estudi introductori". In Antologia de la poesia modernista, Barcelona, Edicions 62, 1990, ps. 5-74.

Jordi CASTELLANOS, Jordi MARRUGAT (dirs.), Història de la literatura catalana. Literatura contemporània (II). Modernisme, Noucentisme, Avantguardes, Barcelona, Enciclopèdia Catalana / Barcino / Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2020.

Jordi CASTELLANOS, Jordi MARRUGAT (dirs.), Història de la literatura catalana. Literatura contemporània (III). Del 1922 al 1959, Barcelona, Enciclopèdia Catalana / Barcino / Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2021.

Josep M. CASTELLET & Joaquim MOLAS, Poesia catalana del segle XX, Barcelona, Edicions 62, 1963.

Jordi MALÉ (ed.), Les idees literàries al període d'entreguerres. Antologia de textos, Lleida, Pagès, 2011.

Jordi MALÉ, Laura BORRÀS (eds.), Poètiques catalanes del segle XX, Barcelona, UOC, 2008.

Joaquim MOLAS, La literatura catalana d'avantguarda: 1918-1938, Barcelona, Antoni Bosch ed., 1983.

Joaquim MOLAS (dir.), Història de la literatura catalana. Part moderna (volums 8, 9, 10 i 11), Barcelona, Ariel, 1986-1987.

Carles RIBA, Obres completes. Vol. 2: Crítica 1, Obres completes. Volum 3: Crítica 2, Obres completes. Volum 4: Crítica 3, Barcelona, Edicions 62, 1985-1988.

Arthur TERRY, Sobre poesia catalana contemporània: Riba, Foix, Espriu, B., Edicions 62, 1985.

Arthur TERRY, Quatre poetes catalans: Ferrater, Brossa, Gimferrer, Xirau, Barcelona,Edicions 62, 1991.

Joan TRIADÚ, Poesia catalana de postguerra, Barcelona, Edicions 62, 1985.

Marta VALLVERDÚ I BORRÀS, Seixantisme. L'esclat cultural català dels 60, Barcelona, L'Avenç, 2022.


Websites especially useful:


TRACES. Bases de dades de llengua i literatura catalanes:

http://traces.uab.cat/


CÀTEDRA MÀRIUS TORRES>>CORPUS LITERARI:

http://www.catedramariustorres.udl.cat/materials/hemeroteca/index.php

Software

None

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed