-CG7. Developing the student’s analytical approach, while furthering their understanding of different discursive realities, and establishing relationships with different artistic languages.
-CG9. Acquiring the necessary knowledge in order to conduct further research in the fields of literary theory and comparative literature, the humanities and the social sciences.
-CG10. Furthering the students’ ability to positively assess cultural manifestations, while promoting their understanding of inter-cultural exchanges.

-CT6. Promoting both team-work and work within international environments.
-CT7. Information and time management and planning.
-CT10. Cultural-diversity appreciation.
-CT12. Development of a social conscience associated to an equal-opportunities framework, both regarding the individual and their gender-oriented dimensions.

-CE6. Being able to understand literary forms within the different modern cultural and artistic contexts.
-CE7. Establishing relationships between literature and its related artistic forms.
-CE9. Acknowledging connections between different social movements and their social and anthropological contexts.
-CE19. Furthering any existing knowledge on foundational and applied elements of comparative literature.
-CE21. Developing learning and research activities in the context of comparative and theoretical literature, throughout the academic curriculum.

The proposed educational activities are distributed as follows:

- 6 ECTS credits (Classroom lessons: 2 ECTS credits; Tutored activities: 1 ECTS credit; Independent study/essay: 3 ECTS credits) = 150 working hours:
-Tutored working hours (50%): Lectures: lecturing on the proposed subjects’ theoretical principles, their related analytical tools and their application. Practical lessons: assignment and revision of critical essays on selected sources or documents, critical discussion of similar sources or documents, textual analysis, data assessment, academic rhetoric and composition on the module’s proposed topics, oral presentations, on-line or in-person visits to relevant venues, exhibitions, etc.
- Independent working hours (50%): The proposed 75 independent working hours on the student’s part (including both individual and team work) are required in order to complete the above-mentioned activities and the necessary revision towards the final exam.

Bearing in mind the “tradition and change” paradigm, this subjects brings along a deepened understanding and analysis of motives, forms, topoi, archetypes and myths present in literary and artistic works, establishing their genesis, development and possibilities of transcendence, hereby complementing the studied principles and methods of comparative literature. It also pays detailed attention to the functions present in selected works, in order to reach a clearer appreciation of their critical values, within the general framework of comparative studies.

General degree-admission requirements.

-Supplying the students with specific methodological resources allowing a correct analysis and assessment of different literatures and literary samples characterized by the presence in them of the proposed motives, themes and forms. This may enable them to observe similarities, differences, convergences and hierarchies between and within the proposed works, under the general methodological framework of comparative literature.

-Contributing to a deepened understanding on the part of the students of the thematic and thematological aspects within the most relevant field of general and comparative literature.

-Furthering the students’ knowledge of the oral traditions, myths, legends and topoi present in literary and artistic works, translated into motives, themes and forms going beyond geographical or chronological boundaries, while furnishing the same students with universal landmarks and models of human experience.

1.     Methodological, analytical and critical instruments (May include references to the Updating research introductory research seminar: Multi-media learning, academic principles/ethics, and research resources).

2.     Motives and themes as literary elements: anthropological, mythical and cultural sources. Literary forms.

3.     Topics and poetics. Relationships and differences with other critical keywords (Rhetorical topica and attributa, concept of myth, archetype, actant, function, etc.).

4.     Thematology and diachronic approaches. How they relate to each other.

5.     Theoretical and practical observation of themes and motives in particular readings, as they relate to other artistic works and to the culture and circumstances where they were produced.

Assessment and evaluation (These requirements may be significantly modified depending on whether the course takes place in Spanish or in English, within the UCM Internationalisation programme):

- Practical written assignments or essays (Deadline: Exam dates to be publicly announced by the UCM): 50% of the final grade.

These will be EITHER a written version of the oral presentation developed in the classroom, OR a written exercise on a selected theme or motive as developed in one or several literary works and also present on a painting exhibited at a documented museum collection or venue. The main editorial guidelines for the final essay will be announced separately and will be accessible on our Campus Virtual website.

- In-class oral presentation in English: 30% of the final grade (This presentation may take place either in the classroom or on-line, depending on the circumstances; the final format will be announced in advance).

-Ongoing evaluation and constructive participation: 20% of the final grade: Active and constructive participation during on-line and in-person activities taking place in the classroom will be appraised, as will be the efforts leading to the acquisition of this course’s general abilities and requirements. Regular access and effective understanding of the course’s resources posted on Campus Virtual will also be appraised under this criterion.