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SPA 105

I.  TITLE: Introduction to Hispanic Culture

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
A survey of the contemporary culture of Spain and Spanish America with emphasis on  the values, behavioral characteristics, social and political systems and achievements of  the Spanish-speaking people.  Conducted in English.

III. PURPOSE:
To develop an understanding of the history, geography, political and social systems and culture of Spain and Spanish America.  The course also cultivates the “Characteristics of the Murray State Graduate.”  It
A. encourages independent thought and expression through effective oral and    written  communication

1.  Students present a group oral project in which every student must participate in the oral performance and communicate information effectively to the class;
2.  Students write a written term paper of 5-6 pages in length in which they are also graded on effectiveness of written communication.

Students use the Internet for homework assignments to access information on the responsibilities of the Spanish Empire, the causes leading to its loss, the Spanish Civil War and aftermath, problems of colonization, independence,    dictatorships and the changing ways of life as a result of emigration, migration, and the European Union.

1.  learn about the history of Spanish-speaking countries ;
2.  become acquainted with a novel written by a Hispanic recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature;
3.  learn the connection between literature, political events, and economic systems;
4.  learn something about Spanish philosophers;
5.  learn about the Hispanic architectural and artistic heritage.

1.  Students compare and contrast the Hispanic and American cultures as well as the cultural diversity within the Hispanic world as a result of regional heritage’s, miscegenation, migration and emigration.
2.  Students learn about competing economic and political systems in readings, discussions and lectures about the systems used in the Hispanic world (empire, monarchy, republic, fascism, socialism, capitalism, privatization).
3.  The class discusses complex moral and ethical issues in the context of conquest and colonization, iscegenation, dictatorships and democracy.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
There are two major goals for this course.  The first is to gain a working understanding of  the culture of  Spain and Spanish America.  Secondly, the study of the culture of the  Hispanic people will serve as a kind of case study which will help students acquire general approaches to culture and, by doing so, to increase their understanding,  appreciation, and tolerance of other people of the world.

The course
A. introduces students to fundamental concepts and ways of knowing in the discipline of cultural studies by using Spain and Spanish America as a case study to investigate the history, geography, political and social systems and thus the values, behavioral characteristics, and achievements of a people;

B. promotes interdisciplinary understanding by clarifying how the study of cultures contributes to an understanding of other societies and one’s own society

1.  by having lectures and discussions on art, architecture, music, economics, etc. in the Spanish speaking countries and their function in society;
2.  by comparing, and contrasting Spanish and Spanish American cultures with that of the United States.

1.  by viewing culture in Spanish-speaking countries and
2.  by learning how Hispanics perceive our culture.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Students are expected to read all assigned reading materials, to prepare homework  assignments on time, and to participate in class discussions.  The course will be a  combination of  lecture, discussion, and student presentations.  In discussions students
will be expected to make comparisons between Hispanic and American culture. Course assignments will include an original paper on an aspect of Hispanic culture to be  researched by the student.  An oral presentation will be made by each student.
***Late assignments cannot be accepted except by prior arrangement. No credit can be given for assignments turned in late.
***  Assignments must be ready at the beginning of the class period.

The course
A. promotes student engagement in and responsibility for learning through active learning methodologies:

1. group discussions
students will regularly form groups of 4-5 students to discuss readings, articles, projects, products, findings from homework assignments, etc.
2. student projects and oral reports, and
3. teamwork.
students will work in teams to plan an oral presentation.

B. requires a significant amount of reading (textbook, articles on reserve, internet research material), writing (summary handouts on textbook readings, summary write-ups on articles, a term paper), speaking, (student discussions, oral presentations), and critical thinking, (analyses of comparative system, view points on religious, moral and ethical issues; comparisons and contrasts
of different cultures, including our own.)

C. promotes the use of computer technology to solve the problems of a changing world through:

1. homework assignments and term paper research using the World Wide Web and the Internet
2. readings of newspapers on the Internet
3. encouragement to use computer presentation programs such as Power Point and Compel, as part of the group oral project.

VII. FIELD, CLINICAL, LABORATORY EXPERIENCES:
Periodically videos will be assigned to be viewed either in the Language and Culture Resource Lab (FH403) or checked out from the Media Center downstairs in the Waterfield Library.  Students  will also be given assignments on the World Wide Web.

VIII. RESOURCES:
Students are encouraged to attend movies in the Cinema International program as well as activities planned by the Foreign Language Club and Alpha Mu Gamma (the foreign language society honor society.)  Other sources include videos in the Language Lab (FH403) and materials on reserve in the Library.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:
100 pts. Oral Report(s)*
200 pts. Research paper (5-7 pages)
200 pts. Quizzes; active class  participation, discussion leading, and homework
300 pts. Written exams
Exams will be in the form of multiple choice, short essays, and long essays.  Exams will carry a heavy essay component.  Essays are designed to enable a student to demonstrate not only his/her knowledge of the material, but also to analyze texts, draw conclusions, make parallels and contrasts, develop logical arguments and extrapolate data and arrive at conjectural knowledge.  A pre-test will be given composed of material that will be learned in the course of the semester.

The research paper will be judged not only on the content, but also on the student’s quality of communication through writing.
Likewise, the oral reports, the active participation, and discussion leading, will be evaluated on content and on the student’s
effectiveness in oral communications.

200 pts. Final Exam
The final exam includes material learned throughout the course and will include comprehensive, analytical essay type questions.

1000 pts. Total

There will be no make ups for missed tests or quizzes unless at the discretion of the instructor in extreme cases.

High academic standards will be maintained through extensive readings from the textbook and articles on reserve in the library, quality research papers, through exams, and continuous critical thinking in every activity and exam.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance at all  class meetings is expected.  Absences will affect your grade.  Because  of  the emphasis on class participation and discussion, attendance is crucial.  Our activities depend upon the full participation of each class member.  Points will be deducted from your participation grade for each class missed.  You are allowed to miss up to 2 class meetings for documented illness and family emergencies only.  Missing one-fourth of the class meetings for any reason (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade. Unusual genuine documented emergencies or official documented Murray State absences will be evaluated case by case by the instructor. An absence is NOT an excuse for being unprepared!

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
1.  It is the responsibility of every student to be informed about the collegiate Academic Integrity policy.  Cheating in whatever form constitutes academic dishonesty!
2.  Copies of the policy are available in: CIV workbooks, classroom bulletin boards, Department of Foreign Language office, Dean of Humanistic Studies Office and the College of Humanistic Studies homepage.
3.  Your signature on every assignment, quiz, and exam represents a pledge that you have adhered to this policy. I expect students to abide by the highest ethical standards.

XII. TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
Spain:  Its People and Culture;  Global Studies: Latin America; The Family of Pascual Duarte - Camilo Cela. On Reserve in the Library:
A collection of newspapers and magazine articles on Hispanic countries from such sources such as Newsweek, Time, etc. and Associated Press articles from a variety of newspapers.
A library of  World Wide Web sites are also on reserve.

XII. PREREQUISITES:  None.

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo