Hispanic Culture and Civilization

 

 

Este curso será impartido en español, destinado para estudiantes con un nivel de Español Avanzado o superior.

 

El curso tiene un total de 45 horas lectivas, repartidas en 30 sesiones de 90 minutos.

 

This course is designed to introduce students to some of the most important problems and debates about Latin America and Spain culture and society. Latin America is a complex region full of contrasts. This course provides an overview of the diverse societies of Latin America and Spain, from a poliltical and social perspective. It explores the cultural, economic, political and religious aspects of life in this large and diverse region. We will explore everyday life and experiences as they relate to culture and diversity, race, ethnicity and gender, politics and the economy, migration and urbanization, social justice and pop culture. Themes that we will focus on include concepts of race, ethnicity and gender as they appear in Latin America; political and economic processes; urbanization and migration; festival, spectacle and ritual; religion; and indigenous social movements. Classroom interaction, preparation of the material, and oral presentations are main components of this course, as are attendance and willingness to participate in a course that deals with various issues that pertain to Latin America and the Latino world of the United States.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

- Objectives for students in this course are that they become familiar with the diverse ways of life in Latin America and Spain, understanding that the region is not uniform but tremendously diverse.

- A critical understanding of the main debates and problems of Spain and Latin American culture and society.

- Development of linguistic ability in Spanish. The course expands students understanding of important issues related to the nation, race or gender, among others, which affect contemporary Spanish and Latin American society.

- Students will demonstrate their knowledge of Latin American history by writing a well organized, 2000 to 3000 word essay in Spanish. The essay must be divided in clearly defined sections that include an introduction with a clearly stated thesis; a body which develops the thesis; and a conclusion that synthesizes and summarizes the information given throughout the essay.

 

Se requiere que el estudiante domine un nivel de español propio de un aula universitaria. Por lo mismo el requisito para acceder al curso es que el estudiante tenga un nivel High Advanced, Superior, Native o esté cursando al mismo tiempo el curso de ?Advanced Spanish? en el programa de ISA Cusco.

 

Asistencia y participación 15 %

Actividad por cada una de las zonas de interés: 45 % (nueve zonas de interés, 5% por cada comunidad de habla hispana estudiada)

Ensayo final 40%

 

Todos los materiales de lectura serán entregados electrónicamente a los estudiantes a su llegada a Cusco. No es necesario comprar un libro para esta clase.

 

Adicionalmente, el profesor podría encargar actividades y lecturas adicionales. En tal caso siempre serían actividades voluntarias, con las que el estudiante podría aumentar su nota final hasta un máximo de 10%.