Spanish Memories, African Hopes Through Literature and Film
Granada, Spain
Faculty Leader
Robert Cancelrcancel@ucsd.edu
Robert Cancel is an Emeritus Professor of African and Comparative Literature and has taught in the Department of Literature since 1980. His research interests are in African oral and written literatures and cinema, Caribbean literature and music, picaresque writing of the Spanish Golden Age, and American and World music. He has lived, researched and taught in Zambia and Ghana, lived and researched in Granada, and traveled and presented papers in Morocco and Egypt, among other places. He was formerly co-director of Marshall College’s Dimensions of Culture Program, Coordinator of the "Third World Studies Program", (Now the Global South Studies Program), and in the past has served as the the Director of Doctoral Studies for the Department of Literature. Since 1975 he has been awarded four separate Fulbright grants to conduct rural research in Zambia and/or to lecture at the University of Zambia. In recent years he has traveled extensively to Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina.
Courses
- LTAF 120GS: African Literature: Islam and Migration (PDF draft syllabus)
- LTWL 180GS: Film Studies and Literature: Re-imagining the Spanish Civil War (PDF draft syllabus)
Why you should go
A Mexican diplomat/poet living in Spain at the turn of the 19th century famously wrote: “Give him alms woman, for there is nothing in life like the sadness of being blind in Granada.” This is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities and a historical and cultural crossroads between Africa and Europe. Muslim Arabs, or Moors, ruled this region of Spain for seven centuries before their final expulsion in 1492 by Ferdinand and Isabella. The contrasts between the oldest parts of the city, comprising the Albaicin and the unparalleled fortress/palace called the Alhambra and the bustling contemporary metropolis are stunning. With over 60,000 students in the University of Granada, the city often feels like a college town.
Historically, the violence and trauma of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and its aftermath were brutally experienced in Granada, and these are currently portrayed and re-imagined in world literature and Spanish cinema. Another reality of Spanish life is the ever-growing immigrant population, arriving from West and North Africa, adding to the diversity and richness of contemporary Granada. Literature and film from Africa and Spain, providing perspectives from both sides will be linked for a portrait of this evolving, often uneasy merger of complex cultures and religions. Study of texts and films will be dramatically augmented by field trips to Almeria and Morocco.
Who should go
This Global Seminar is great for students looking to fulfill college upper division GE humanities, writing or area studies requirements. For example, Roosevelt College Regional Specialization requirements might be partially fulfilled, depending on the class, in Europe, Spain or Africa concentrations.
Students majoring or minoring in Literature, Communication, Visual Arts, Film Studies, History, Global South Studies, International Studies and other related fields would potentially have LTWL 180GS Film Studies and Literature and LTAF 120GS African Literature and Film count as major or minor classes
Information Sessions
- Movie Night with the Professor
- Thursday, November 21, 5:30 - 7:30 pm in UC 214 (map)
- Watch the film Granada Nights and learn about studying in Spain
- Pizza and refreshments included!
- Register here
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sat., June 28, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Sun., June 29, 2025 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| First Day of Class: | Tues., July 1, 2025 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., August 1, 2025 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 2, 2025 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
TBA | TBA | TBA |
Budget Sheet
- TBA
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Site Visits in Granada
- Garcia Lorca Park
- Civil War Sites and Cemetery
- Albayzin neighborhood: Guided tour
- Alhambra and Generalife: Art history tour
- Sacromonte Romani neighborhood and Caves Museum: Guided visit
- Flamenco Show at Zambras
Overnight excursion to Morocco (3 days/2 nights)
- Chauen
- Teeouan
- Tangier:
- Local NGO: Darna Association of Women
Overnight excursion to Almeria (2 days/1 night)
- Guided visits of:
- Historical City Center
- Civil War site
- Cival War shelters
- Alcazaba
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Students are housed in a local residence hall in Granada. Most rooms are double occupancy with a private bathroom. Meals are provided Monday through Saturday at the Residence.
- Shared kitchens are available for self meal preparation on weekends.
- Wi-Fi is available throughout the the student dormitory.
- Our program partner will accept roommate requests during the pre-departure process. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed and must be mutual. Each student must request the other student in writing separately. The request must include the PID and first and last name for both students.
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
- A $300 refundable security deposit will be charged to each student living in the residencia. At the conclusion of the program, CEA will assess any damages to the room and the cost of repairs and then return the remainder of the amount to the student. If the damage is in a common area, the financial repair costs will be split evenly amongst the students.
Meals included:
- Welcome dinner
- Farewell dinner
- Weekly meals
Classroom and Computer Access
- Students will have access to libraries and computer labs.
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- All local transportation on excursions and field trips is provided
Phones
- A cell phone is necessary for safety and logistical purposes. Students will be assisted in obtaining a Spanish cell phone.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- All students must register for UC travel insurance. This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
- Health and liability insurance included.
- An in-depth orientation will be given on the morning after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
