Viewing Modern Barcelona

An overview of Barcelona's modern history since the 19th century expansion through the 1992 Olympics to the 21st century's challenges of globalization. At the crossroads of an active traffic of goods, people, and cultures, this cosmopolitan city in Spain is also the capital of Catalonia, home of a millennial European culture. This interdisciplinary seminar will acquaint students with salient aspects of the history of this city, its role in Spain's modernization and democratization as well as its tensions with the state. Attention will be given to city planning, the architecture of Gaudi­, Picasso's, Miro's and Dali­'s art, the politics of bilingualism and literature about the city. Prerequisites: SPANLANG 13 or equivalent, SPANLANG 102 recommended.