GBL 295 Fútbol: Passion, Politics, and Culture in Spain

Through exhaustive experiential, textual and filmic analyses as well as profound reflective discussions, students in this course will be able to critically explore the significant impact that fútbol/soccer has as a political and cultural practice in how Spanish identity is built in the country in general, and in three of its  autonomous regions in specific: Comunidad de Madrid, País Vasco, and Catalunya. Starting with a detailed examination of the origins of Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two most popular clubs in the country (and perhaps the world), as well as the beginnings of their staunch rivalry, this course aims to highlight how fútbol/soccer in Spain is not only a sport but a cultural space where historical political and social grievances are continuously presented, challenged, and fought upon.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

GBL 195

Course Types

Civilization

Offered

• Winter

1. Students will be able to challenge their personal connections with fútbol/soccer by critically considering the cultural, social, and political dimensions that the sport has in Spain.
2. Students will increase their knowledge of the economic and cultural significance that fútbol/soccer clubs have in the identities of the communities where they are based in Madrid, País Vasco, and Catalunya.
3. Students will have a better understanding of the specific traditions, social conventions, and cultural practices that take place in venues around the world where football/soccer is experienced (live in stadiums, at entertainment locales with other patrons, with the class, etc.).
4. Students will have a better understanding of the specific traditions, social conventions, and cultural practices that take place in venues where fútbol/soccer is experienced in Spain (stadiums, bars/coffee shops, etc.).
5. Students will be able to put in practice the phrases they have learned in Spanish (Castilian), Basque, and Catalán during the previous semester in context.
6. Students will understand that regional languages in Spain are an integral part of each community’s identity.
7. Students will be able to have a deeper understanding of the economic and cultural significance that fútbol/soccer has in Spain but also throughout the world.