Why do Spaniards regularly talk very loudly, and use many proverbs from literature and oral traditions in their daily language? Why are they such idealist individuals, and why do almost mention in every conversation jamón serrano or manchego cheese, drink Rioja wine with meals, or cook with tons of olive oil? Why are Spaniards’ friends, family members, or even unknown people in bars often involved in political verbal confrontations and cannot seem to agree on regional identities? Why is there so much discussion and division about the monarchy as an institution in modern times? Why do literature, history and traditions play important roles in Spanish Education in modern Spain? Spain as Drama: From Comedy to Tragedy aims to answer some of these questions. It is an interdisciplinary course that analyzes and interprets modern Spanish society using drama and theatre terminology. The starting point will be the Spanish Golden Age period, with references to medieval history and culture (minority groups, music, laws, health and pandemics), when the Spanish Commedia was considered the television and the social media of the 16th and 17th centuries. Students will read excerpts from Cervantes’ Don Quixote (17th century) and Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba (20th century), explore Picasso’s Guernica painting (1937), evaluate the famous Mediterranean diet, judge the controversy of Catalonia attempting to be independent and major political groups opposed to the Spanish monarchy. It will also investigate the changes and the problems of urban areas and finally discuss the environment and climate change in Spain, a country politically, socially, and economically dedicated to respect the environment (solar and Aeolic parks, bike trails in cities, recycling containers in plazas, Doña Ana natural area), but also Spain is a country where its citizens leave tons of garbage in every corner. At the end of the semester students will have a better understanding of Spanish society, its values, and its own identity as a member of the European Union (Mediterranean connection) and its particular ties to Latin America (mutual influence and recipient of many immigrants) and be able to critically discuss cultural peculiarities of modern Spain. Students will also be able to compare similarities and differences of the Spanish society with their own community and culture.