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This course examines how the cinemas of Spain and Portugal have approached different experiences of migration, depopulation and forced displacement, both at a national and a transnational level. In particular, it explores the role of cinema in representing the interrelated processes of migration, colonialism and decolonisation since the 1930s. It takes in a broad range of material, from propaganda film incentivising emigration to the former Portuguese colonies, to radical documentaries about the depopulated Iberian countryside and the plight of marginalised communities in contemporary Iberian cities such as Lisbon, Barcelona and Seville. Students will learn how the diverse techniques of filmmaking relate to key political and theoretical debates, such as national and regional identities, the status of marginalised people and the future of dwindling rural communities in the context of environmental breakdown. The course also draws links between patterns and the experience of migration from different social groups and historical periods. All films are available with English subtitles and no knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is required.

• Develop a cross-cultural, comparative understanding of land use and migration patterns over the past century; 
• Acquaint students with key cinematic works from Spain and Portugal and develop a comparative understanding of their recent histories; 
• Acquaint students with the diverse techniques of filmmaking and how they relate to political and sociological debates. 

Students will be expected to develop skills relating to:

• The in-depth comparative analysis of a variety of film genres;
• An informed understanding of broader social, historical and political contexts of film production;
• An awareness and critical understanding of theoretical concepts relating to environment and migration covered
• Intercultural awareness;
• Colloquial, everyday and community-specific language use in Spain and Portugal (Catalan, Galician, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, etc.) 

- Lectures (synchronous on-campus)

- Group work in seminars  

- Learning through informed viewing, reading, note-taking, interaction, self-monitoring, drafting and redrafting of coursework pieces 
 

• Develop advanced knowledge and a critical understanding of a wider range of films and their surrounding cultural and historical contexts
• Apply the theoretical concepts relating to environment and migration covered by this unit to complex historical and contemporary debates, demonstrating originality in interpretation and argumentation.
• Recognise the language and techniques of cinema and how they shape political and theoretical debates 
   

• Develop informed, formal analyses of film in context
• Develop an appreciation and critique of different forms of filmic representation
• Demonstrate advanced critical thinking by synthesising complex theoretical perspectives, critically assessing competing arguments, and formulating independent, original interpretations in response to historical and intellectual debates with special reference to the representation of migration and environment in Portuguese and Spanish films. 
   

• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a postgraduate level.
• Improve their ability to carry out comparative analyses
• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements based on range of source materials, from classic cinema to sociological research and film theory 
   

• Improve their ability to interact and discuss complex issues with peers
• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility as global citizens and as possible participants of related popular culture and entertainment
• Develop ability to learn independently. as required for continuing professional development 
   

In class and written feedback

- Brenner, Neil & Nikos Katsikis. ‘Operational Landscapes: Hinterlands of the Capitalocene’. Architectural Design 90.1 (2020): 22-31.

- Moreno-Caballud, Luis. Cultures of Anyone: Studies on Cultural Democratization in the Spanish Neoliberal Crisis. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015.

- Prádanos, Luis I. Post-Growth Imaginaries: New Ecologies and Counterhegemonic Culture in Post-2008. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2018.

- Richardon, Nathan. Postmodern Paletos: Immigration, Democracy and Globalization in Spanish Narrative and Film, 1950-2000.  

- Liz, Mariana. Portugal’s Global Cinema: Industry, History and Culture. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2017.

- Vieira, Patrícia. Portuguese Film, 1930-1960: The Staging of the New State Regime. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2013.

- Overhoff-Ferreira, Carolin. Identity and Difference: Postcoloniality and Transnationality in Lusophone Films. Berlin: Lit Verlag, 2013.