Guide in PDF format
Logo

Contemporary Spanish Narrative: 20th and 21st centuries

Code: 106364
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Spanish Language and Literature OP 3
Spanish Language and Literature OP 4
English and Spanish Studies OP 3
English and Spanish Studies OP 4
Catalan and Spanish Studies OP 3

Contact lecturer

Name :
Francisca Montiel Rayo
Email :
francisca.montiel@uab.cat

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

Since, in previous courses, the student has had to demonstrate the necessary language skills for their current degree, in this subject they must be able to express themselves correctly both orally and in writing. Therefore, if spelling or grammatical errors are detected, 0.25 points will be deducted for each one.

Objectives

Contemporary Spanish Narrative: 20th and 21st Centuries is an optional subject designed to delve into the knowledge of the evolution of narrative genres over the course of this period and of the six trends and authors. Therefore, their objectives are:


  • To understand the development of narrative genres in Spanish literature during the Silver Age, the post-war period, and the years between the transition to democracy and the present day.
  • To identify the main characteristics of the works of canonical authors from this period through the reading and analysis of representative works.
  • To recognize the characteristic features of the narrative subgenres cultivated during the period under study.
  • To comment on and review the required narrative works appropriately, both in their entirety and through significant excerpts.


Learning outcomes

  1. Use traditional sources to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of Spanish language and literature.
  2. Use digital tools to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of Spanish language and literature.
  3. Write a summary of contents in a coherent and cohesive way.
  4. Identify the main arguments of a written text.
  5. Relate an author to his or her period and its literary features.
  6. Describe the main characteristics of a specific literary genre.
  7. Identify the literary themes of a text.
  8. Detail the structure of a specific literary production.
  9. Recognise the literary sources of a text.
  10. Know how to comment critically on a text from a basic analytical reading.
  11. Contrast texts by different authors and from different periods.
  12. Document the processes of literary analysis and decontextualisation.
  13. Use the appropriate terminology in the construction of an academic text and in the transmission of their knowledge.
  14. Justify the characteristics of the texts and literary periods under study in different types of academic writing (written exams, academic papers, summaries and reviews).
  15. Demonstrate a solid knowledge of subjects related to the study of Literature and Culture in general.
  16. Recognise the principles of the discipline of study and its main sources.
  17. In an effective manner, organise the autonomous component to learning.
  18. Comment on a text taking into account the figures of thought and expression.
  19. Critically interpret literary works taking into account their historical and social context.
  20. Use appropriate terminology in the construction of an academic text.
  21. Elaborate summaries or reviews of academic works.
  22. Critically interpret bibliography.
  23. Rigorously approach the values conveyed by the texts analysed, carrying out constructive criticism.
  24. Rigorously assess the values conveyed by the texts analysed, making constructive criticism.
  25. Strengthen the capacity of reading, interpretation and critical analysis of literary texts and language.
  26. Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
  27. Identify relationships between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
  28. Comment on literary texts, apply the acquired tools and take into account the historical and sociocultural context.
  29. Critically interpret literary works take into account the relationships between different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
  30. Apply the tools and know consult the specific documentary sources.
  31. Use traditional sources to obtain, classify, interpret and analyse relevant data related to the study of Spanish language and literature.
  32. Write original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature and of contemporary authors and works.
  33. Write complex original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature, on contemporary authors and works.
  34. Write historical interpretative essays on the contemporary literary tradition.
  35. Write historical interpretative essays, at an advanced level, on the contemporary literary tradition.

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Periodization of the History of Spanish Literature in the 20th and 21st Centuries
  3. Contemporary Narrative Genres: Short Story, Novella, Flash Fiction, Novel
  4. The Silver Age of Spanish Culture (1902-1939)
  5. Beyond Modernism
  6. The New Literature: The Influence of Ortega y Gasset
  7. The New Romanticism
  8. A Long Post-War Period (1939-1975)
  9. Narrative Trends During the Franco Regime
  10. Authors and Works of the Republican Exile of 1939
  11. Narrative Genres in Democratic Spain (1976-2026)
  12. Short Fiction
  13. Trends in Contemporary Novels


Complete required readings (in addition, the teacher vill provide other short narrative texts)


  1. Pío Baroja. El árbol de la ciencia. Ed. Pío Caro Baroja. Madrid: Cátedra (Letras hispánicas, 225), 2006.
  2. Ignacio Aldecoa, Cuentos. Ed. Josefina Rodríguez Aldecoa. Madrid: Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas, 62), 2005.
  3. Carmen Laforet, Nada. Ed. José Teruel. Cátedra (Letras hispánicas), 2020.
  4. Ramón J. Sender, Réquiem por un campesino español. Introd. Antonio A. Gómez Yebra. Barcelona: DeBolsillo (Contemporánea: Narrativa), 2022.
  5. Cristina Fernández Cubas, Mi hermana Elba. En Mi hermana Elba y Los altillos de Brumal. Barcelona: Tusquets (Andanzas), 2024.
  6. The student will choose one of the following readings:


  • Rafael Chirbes, La buena letra. Barcelona: Anagrama (Compactos), 2007.
  • Julio Llamazares, Distintas formas de mirar el agua. Barcelona: DeBolsillo (Best Seller), 2016.
  • Sara Mesa, Un amor. Barcelona: Anagrama (Narrativas hispánicas, 651), 2020.
  • Lucía Solla Sobral, Comerás flores. Barcelona: Libros del Asteroide, 2025.
  • Fernando Aramburu, El niño. Barcelona: Tusquets (Maxi), 2026.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Lectures and seminar sessions and practices directed by the professor 63 2.52 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Autonomous work 75 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Scheduled tutorials 12 0.48 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

Learning in this subject is carried out as follows:


Guided activities: These activities are divided into lectures and practical classes led by the professor, in which theoretical explanations are combined with the analysis and discussion of texts.

Supervised activities: These are tutorials scheduled by the professor, dedicated to the correction and discussion of problems at different levels of literary analysis.

Independent activities: These activities include time spent on personal study, completing assignments and analytical commentaries, and completing required readings.

Assessment activities: The assessment of the subject will be carried out through oral and written participation in class and the performance of written competency tests of different types




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
Class attendance and participation 10% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Written exam 1 35% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Written exam 2 35% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35
Text commentary or critical review of the chosen reading 20% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

The assessment of the subject will be based on the following activities (the specific weight of each one in the final grade is indicated in brackets):


1) Attendance and participation: submission of short questionnaires about the readings before their discussion in class (10%).

2) A written test on the first part of the syllabus (topics 1, 2, and 3a. Required readings 1, 2, and 3) [35%].

3) A written test on the second part of the syllabus (topics 3b and 4, required readings 4 and 5) [35%].

4) Writing a text commentary or critical review in class on required reading 6 (chosen by the student from the options provided): [20%].


At the time of each assessment activity, the professor will inform students (via the virtual campus) of the procedure and date for grade review. The review of the assessments will take place in a pre-arranged interview with the professor.


If a student commits any irregularity that could significantly alter the grade of an assessment, that assessment will receive a grade of 0, regardless of any resulting disciplinary action. If multiple irregularities are found in assessments for the same subject, the final grade for that subject will be 0. Assessments involving irregularities (such as copying, unauthorized use of AI, etc.) cannot be retaken.


The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted in any phase of this course. Any work that includes AI-generated elements will be considered academic dishonesty and will result in a grade of 0, with no possibility of retaking the assignment, or more severe penalties in serious cases.


To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum of 5 in the weighted average of the assessment activities. Students who do not achieve this grade and who have been previously assessed on at least two-thirds of the course may participate in the resit (excluding the text commentary or critical review), provided they have obtained a minimum average grade of 3.5. The grade obtained in the resit will replace the initial grade for the final calculation of the weighted average.


The student will receive a grade of not assessable when they have not completed more than 30% of the assessment activities.



Single assessment

Students who have opted for this assessment method will have to complete the following assessment activities on the day specified in the course assessment calendar, which will be made public during the first week of the course (virtual campus):


  • Text commentary or critical review of reading number 6 (chosen by the student from among the options): 30%.
  • Midterm exam 1: 35%.
  • Midterm exam 2: 35%.

Students may retake the course if they have completed all three activities and have an overall grade of 3.5 or higher. The result of the retake exam (excluding the commentary or critical review) will replace the initial grade when calculating the final grade for the course.


Erasmus students requesting to reschedule an exam must submit a written document from their home university to the instructor justifying their request.


Bibliography


***Supplementary bibliography will be provided throughout the course.


ALBERCA, Manuel (2007). . El pacto ambiguo. De la novela autobiográfica a la autoficción Madrid: Biblioteca Nueva.

ALONSO, Santos (2003). La novela española en el fin de siglo (1975-2001). Madrid: Marenostrum.

ANDRÉS-SUÁREZ, Irene (2010). El microrrelato español. Una estética de la elipsis. Palencia: Menoscuarto.

CALVO CARILLA, José Luis e Isabel Carabantes de las Heras (eds.( (2011). Estéticas de la crisis. De la caída del Muro de Berlín al 11-S. Zaragoza: Institución Fernando El Católico.

CHAMPEAU , Geneviève; Jean-Francois Carcelen; Georges Tyras y Fernando Valls (eds.) (2011). Nuevos derroteros de la narrativa actual. Veinte años de creación. Zarazoga: Prensas Universitarias de Zaragoza.

GARCÍA DE LA CONCHA, Víctor (ed.) (1984). Época contemporánea: 1914-1939, tomo 7 de la Historia y crítica de la literatura española, Barcelona: Crítica.

GRACIA, Jordi (ed.) (2000). Los nuevos nombres: 1975-2000. Primer suplemento, tomo 9/1 de la Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.

GRACIA, Jordi y RÓDENAS DE MOYA, Domingo (2011). Historia de la literatura española. 7. Derrota y restitución de la Modernidad (1939-2000). Barcelona: Crítica.

LÓPEZ DE ABIADA, José Manuel y Hans-Jörg Neuschäfer (eds.) (2004). Entre el ocio y el negocio: industria editorial y literatura en la España de los 90. Madrid: Verbum.

LYOTARD, Jean-François (1987). La condición posmoderna. Madrid: Cátedra.

MAINER, José-Carlos (ed.) (1979). Modernismo y 98, tomo 6 de la Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.

MAINER, José-Carlos (ed.) (1994). Modernismo y 98. Primer suplemento, tomo 6/1 de la Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.

MAINER, José-Carlos (2010). Historia de la literatura española. 6. Modernidad y nacionalismo (1900-1939), dirigida por José-Carlos Mainer. Barcelona: Crítica.

MAINER, José-Carlos (2025). La edad de plata (1902-1939). Ensayo de interpretación de un proceso cultural. Madrid: Taurus.

MAINER, José-Carlos, y Santos Juliá (2000). El aprendizaje de la libertad. 1973-1986. La cultura de la transición. Madrid: Alianza.

POZUELO YVANCOS, José María (2004). Ventanas de la ficción. Narrativa hispánica, siglos XX y XXI. Barcelona: Península.

POZUELO YVANCOS, José María (2009). Figuraciones del yo en la narrativa: Javier Marías y Enrique Vila-Matas. Valladolid: Cátedra Miguel Delibes, Universidad de Valladolid.

POZUELO YVANCOS, José María (2010). 100 narradores españoles de hoy. Palencia: Menoscuarto.

PRIETO DE PAULA, Ángel Luis y LANGA PIZARRO, Mara (2007). Manual de literatura española actual: de la transición al tercer milenio. Madrid: Castalia.

SÁNCHEZ VIDAL, Agustín (ed.) (1995). Época contemporánea: 1914-1939. Primer suplemento, tomo 7/1 de la Historia y crítica de la literatura española, Barcelona, Crítica.

SANZ VILLANUEVA, Santos (ed.) (1999). Época contemporánea: 1939-1975. Primer suplemento, tomo 8/1 de Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.

SOBEJANO, Gonzalo (2003). Novela española contemporánea 1940-1995. Madrid: Marenostrum.

VALLS, Fernando (2003). La realidad inventada. Análisis crítico de la novela española actual. Barcelona: Crítica.

VALLS, Fernando (2008). Soplando vidrio y otros estudios sobre el microrrelato español. Madrid: Páginas de Espuma.

VILLANUEVA, Darío (ed.) (1992). Los nuevos nombres: 1975-1990, tomo 9 de Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.

YNDURÁIN, Domingo (ed.) (1980). Época contemporánea: 1939-1980, tomo 8 de Historia y crítica de la literatura española. Barcelona: Crítica.


Required readings


  • Pío Baroja. El árbol de la ciencia. Edición de Pío Caro Baroja. Madrid: Cátedra (Letras hispánicas, 225), 2006.
  • Ignacio Aldecoa, Cuentos. Edición de Josefina Rodríguez Aldecoa. Madrid: Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas, 62), 2005.
  • Carmen Laforet, Nada. Edición de José Teruel. Cátedra (Letras hispánicas), 2020.
  • Ramón J. Sender, Réquiem por un campesino español. Introducción de Antonio A. Gómez Yebra. Barcelona: DeBolsillo (Contemporánea: Narrativa), 2022.
  • Cristina Fernández Cubas, Mi hermana Elba. En Mi hermana Elba y Los altillos de Brumal. Barcelona: Tusquets (Andanzas), 2024.
  • Una lectura que el estudiante escogerá de entre las siguientes:
  • Rafael Chirbes, La buena letra. Barcelona: Anagrama (Compactos), 2007.
  • Julio Llamazares, Distintas formas de mirar el agua. Barcelona: DeBolsillo (Best Seller), 2016.
  • Sara Mesa, Un amor. Barcelona: Anagrama (Narrativas hispánicas, 651), 2020.
  • Lucía Solla Sobral, Comerás flores. Barcelona: Libros del Asteroide, 2025.
  • Fernando Aramburu, El niño. Barcelona: Tusquets (Maxi), 2026.


Software

Is not necessary to have any special computer program.

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 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish first semester morning-mixed