Module manager: Professor Peter Anderson
Email: P.P.Anderson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module explores the causes of political instability in Spain between 1898 and 1936. To do this, it looks at tensions produced by the exclusion of the masses from the political system, the rise of regional nationalism and the growth of centre and left opposition groups including Europe's largest anarchist movement. As Spain underwent a series of economic crises and veered between the pretence of democracy, a dictatorship and a liberal democracy, these tensions grew and increasingly pitted reformists against reactionaries. <p>Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.</p>
The module provides an opportunity for you to gain a sound understanding of the causes and degree of political instability in Spain between 1898-1936. It does so through lectures exploring key topics, seminar discussions of key texts and the analysis of primary sources.
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess the causes of political instability in Spain in the period 1898-1936.
2. Analyse the role of groups seeking to promote and block reform.
3. Evaluate why and how attitudes among some groups in Spanish society became more intransigent over time.
4. Critically assess sources and the relevant historiography on political instability in Spain in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module you will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Clearly communicate complex historical ideas to academic audiences.
6. Effectively critique historical debates.
7. Interpret historical topics by drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Gobbet essay: You will receive feedback on one practice gobbet, which will help you prepare for the summative assignment.
Essay: You will have the opportunity to meet individually with the tutor to discuss a plan for your essay.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Gobbet essay | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team