Spanish Civilization & Culture (in English)

I. OBJECTIVES
The main aim of this course is to increase the students? knowledge of the Spanish culture and the idiosyncrasy of Spanish people. In this course, students will explore Spain's diverse heritage through the different factors which constitute its identity: history, art, economy, social organization, education, dance, music, and folklore. We will also read about and discuss linguistic and cultural variety, regionalism, nationalism, ethnicity and politics.

I. COURSE MATERIALS
There will be a course pack with the compulsory reading assignments available at the copy center in the Celestino Mutis building on campus. Supplementary materials may be provided during the course.

III. COURSE CONTENTS
The course will be thematically structured into these 10 units:
Unit 1: Envisioning Spain: Past and Present
Unit 2: Spain Today I: Society
Unit 3: Spain Today II: Politics
Unit 4: Spain Today III: Art and Culture (Includes Movie Projection)
Unit 5: Education in Spain
Unit 6: Faith and Religion
Unit 7: Social Life and Leisure
Unit 8: Spanish Regional Diversity: (Oral Presentations)
Unit 9: A Changing Society
Unit 10: Conclusions: Contrasting Spain, the U.S. and other Countries and Cultures

IV. CLASS FORMAT
Students will come prepared to class, reading the daily assignment from the course pack. In class, we will use audiovisual materials (slides, films, music) to supplement the information presented in the readings. Classes will be structured around class discussion (focusing on the readings and the audiovisual material presented) moderated by the professor. Students? progress will be checked by their class participation, 5 in-class quizzes, 5 short essays, oral presentations and a cumulative final exam.

V. GRADING
The final grade is broken down as follows:
Class Participation 15%
Oral Presentations 15%
5 In-class Quizzes (1 every 2 units) 20%
5 Short Essays (1 every 2 units) 25%
A Cumulative Final Exam 25%

A) Class Participation: The whole course is structured around class discussion based on readings, teacher instruction and debates. Previous reflection on assigned readings is crucial for success in this course since students will be asked in class about specific and general aspects of the material read. In fact, lively discussions will be encouraged at all times. Class participation will therefore be graded in accordance to both the students? previous readings and reflection about the assigned texts and their contribution to class discussion with relevant comments.
B) Oral Presentations: For Unit 8, students will be expected to deliver interactive group presentations based on a selected Spanish region (its cultural traditions, ?fiestas?, etc.). Each group will be formed by a maximum of 5 members, each of whom will have to present an aspect of the topic selected for about 10 minutes. Previously, the groups will be required to hand in a neat outline of the overall presentation to the instructor and their classmates. The overall grade will be based on each student?s presentation along with the overall quality of the group performance.
C) In-class Quizzes: These are aimed at grading the students? specific knowledge of the different topics with a focus on detail. Students will be asked to complete 5 short in-class quizzes in blocks of two units. These quizzes will be based on the information from the readings in the course pack and the material presented and discussed in class. Missing class without medical excuse will not be considered a reason for rescheduling a quiz.
D) Short Essays: These are aimed at checking the students? ability to put acquired knowledge in context and establish comparative reflections across the topics covered. Students will have to do research and then write 5 1,000-word essays on topics they will choose from a list provided by the professor every two units. Essays will be typed and printed (Times New Roman pt.12, 1 and ½ spaces). Handwritten and emailed essays will not be accepted. Late turn-ins will lower each essay grade by ½ a point per day.
E) Cumulative Final Exam: This exam is aimed at evaluating both the students? specific knowledge of the topics covered and their ability to analyze and provide insightful reflections on the material covered in class. Questions will cover the whole course and focus on establishing thematic links between units. The exam?s date will be announced in class soon.

** NOTICE: The course will follow the Program?s academic policies with no exceptions**