SP3NCC: Narrating the Colombian Conflict

Module code: SP3NCC

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Cherilyn Elston, email: c.elston@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must take SP2L2 or SP2L3 or SP2L4 or equivalent. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module examines the history of the Colombian armed conflict from the 1940s to the present day. Through the analysis of interdisciplinary historical and cultural texts (including essays, fiction, poetry, film, testimony and new media) it explores the stories that have been told about the Western hemisphere’s longest war and asks how these narratives have shaped both national and international interpretations of the conflict. Moving from the civil conflict of the 1940s-50s, through the creation of guerrilla groups in the 1960s, to the emergence of the war on drugs and recent peace processes, the course will interrogate the role stories play in both justifying conflict and creating the possibilities for peace. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate understanding of the key actors, developments and historical trajectory of the Colombian conflict. 
2. Critically analyse, interpret and put into context a variety of Colombian historical and cultural primary texts. 
3. Complete independent research and apply secondary sources and theoretical frameworks in a critical analysis. 
4. Construct effective written arguments. 

Module content

Texts and topics for study may include: 

• Sociological analyses and novels about La Violencia of the 1940s-50s. 
• The Bogotazo and the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán. 
• Journalism and testimonio about the founding of the guerrilla groups. 
• The Holocaust of the Palace of Justice. 
• The peace processes of the 1980s and 1990s and the genocide of the UP. 
• Narconovelas (films, novels and soap operas about the war on drugs). 
• Current peace processes and discourses of historical memory. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students will be required to do preparatory reading for each seminar, participate in class discussion and undertake small-group work. 

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Draft essay plan, submitted for informal written and oral feedback in advance of submission of summative essay. 

In-class discussion and group presentations. 

Reassessment

Additional costs