ESPAÑOL 331

SPANISH AMERICAN CULTURE & CIVILIZATION

FALL 2001

 

PLEASE READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY AND ASK FOR ANY NECESSARY CLARIFICATION.  YOU WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE.

 

PROFESORA:  Dra. Ruth Budd

OFICINA: T3A

TELÉFONO:  395-2070

EMAIL:  rbudd@longwood.edu

HORAS DE OFICINA: TBA

 

DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CURSO:  (From Longwood Catalogue):  Prerequisite:  SPAN 202 or equivalent.  3 credits.  A study of Latin American civilization with emphasis on social institutions of the current century.  STRONGLY SUGGESTED PREREQUISITE:  Spanish 320.

 

TEXTOS OBLIGATORIOS:

  1. Loprete, Carlos A.  Iberoamérica:  Historia de su civilización y cultura.  4th ed.         

      Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

  1. Chasteen, John Charles.  Born in Blood and Fire:  A Concise History of Latin America.  W.W. Norton, 2001.

 

  1. Reserve Materials including videos and photocopies periodically placed on reserve in the library.

 

OBJETIVOS DEL CURSO:  The aim of Spanish 331 is to help students to develop an appreciation for the diverse cultures and civilizations of the many Spanish-speaking peoples who inhabit Latin America. Although Brazil is a part of Latin America and has played an important role in its development, in this course we will study only the Spanish-speaking countries.  We will discuss such topics as the arts, ethnic heritage and diversity, urban and rural life of Spanish Americans, cultural institutions (family life, religion, work, etc.), pre-Colombian civilizations (Aztec, Inca, Maya, etc.), the Spanish Conquest and Colonial Period, the fight for independence of the Spanish American countries, relations with the U.S, and current events.  Specific objectives follow.  Students will be able to:

 

  1. identify, give the location and major characteristics of the three principal pre-colombian indigenous civilizations in Spanish America. (GE criteria 1,4,6)
  2. identify and discuss the major historical movements and leaders in Spanish America, from colonial times to the present. (GE criteria 1,4,6)
  3. recognize various types of Spanish American music and its origins. (GE criteria 2,4,6,8)
  4. identify the works of the major Spanish American artists and architects. (GE criteria 2,4,6,8)
  5. compare and contrast individual Spanish American countries and discuss the controversy over “one” Latin America or “many”. (GE criteria 1,3,5)
  6. discuss the controversial role of the United States in the politics of Spanish  America, identifying major U.S. influences and interventions in individual countries. (GE criteria 1,3,4,5,6,9)
  7. explain the role of women in Spanish America from colonial times to the present. (GE criteria 3,4,5,8,9)
  8. discuss the historical and cultural importance of religion in Spanish America. (GE criteria 3,4,5,8,9)
  9. identify and discuss the principal stereotypes of Spanish America and its people, as well as Spanish American stereotypes for the United States. (GE criteria 1,2,3,4,5,9)
  10. demonstrate knowledge of investigative procedures and correct MLA format, by the preparation of a 6-8 page research paper on an approved topic, as well as by internet and satellite TV assignments  (GE criteria 1,4,5,6,7)

 

REQUISITOS DEL CURSO:  **NOTE:  ORAL AND WRITTEN WORK FOR THIS CLASS WILL BE IN SPANISH, AS WILL LECTURES AND CLASS DISCUSSIONS.  HOWEVER, ONE OF YOUR TEXTBOOKS, AS WELL AS MANY SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS ARE IN ENGLISH.

 

  1. PARTICIPACIÓN:  All students are expected to contribute actively to class activities by (1) thoroughly studying all assigned material before coming to class; (2) paying careful attention to what other classmates and the professor have to say; (3) making active contributions to class discussions; and (4) keeping up-to-date on current events in Spanish America, by means of internet investigations and viewing of satellite TV  broadcasts from Spanish American countries.
  2. PRUEBAS:  These will be announced or unannounced brief quizzes on material already presented or on new material assigned.  They may be given at any point of any class and are for the purpose of checking to see if you are prepared and if you understand the material.  *NOTE:  No unannounced quiz may be made up, even if an absence is excused, because it would not then be a surprise quiz.  At least one surprise quiz grade will be dropped from the final average.
  3. EXÁMENES:  The mid-term and final exam will be comprehensive assessments of material covered.  Questions will be given in various formats—short answer, essay, identify, etc.
  4. TRABAJO DE INVESTIGACIÓN:  In consultation with the professor, each student will choose a topic on which to investigate and write a term paper of 6-8 pages double- spaced.  The paper must follow MLA (Modern Language Association) Format specified in the latest edition of the MLA Handbook available in the library—with full documentation of sources used, and must be prepared on a computer using a program that puts in all Spanish accent marks.  Your topic MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE by the professor or it will not be accepted. 
  5. PRESENTACIONES ORALES:  Students will be assigned brief oral presentations alone or with a partner or group.  These may include leading class discussions, teaching a chapter section or presenting supplementary material not included in the text.  In addition, all students will give a brief presentation on the subject of their term papers.
  6. ACTIVIDADES CULTURALES:  Each student will be required to attend a minimum of 3 cultural activities.  These include (but are not limited to) lectures/programs on Spanish American culture, movies, plays, concerts in Spanish or having to do with a Spanish American topic, attendance at La Parota Mexican restaurant IF you speak only Spanish with the waiters.  In order to receive credit for attendance at cultural activities, students should write a few paragraphs describing the activity and attaching a receipt, program, etc.
  7. ASISTENCIA:  The attendance policy I will follow for this course is described in the Longwood University Catalogue.  Missing 25% of class meetings FOR ANY REASON will automatically result in a grade of “F”.  As your professor, I expect you to attend class regularly and to realize that failure to do so will definitely make a good grade impossible.  More than three unexcused absences will automatically result in the lowering of your final grade by one letter.  Please note the following important rules:
  1. Any assigned work missed due to an unexcused absence may not be made up and will result in a grade of zero.  Absences will also affect your participation grade.
  2. The professor reserves the right to request written documentation for any absence you wish to have excused (doctor’s verification, coach’s formal letter, etc.)
  3. The professor will decide whether an absence is excused or not.  The following are examples of unexcused absences:  studying for other classes, oversleeping, meetings with another teacher or administrator, taking a friend to the doctor/hospital, sorority, fraternity, or club meetings, athletic practices, routine medical appointments, orientation meetings for jobs or volunteer jobs . . .THE BEST INSURANCE IS TO ASK BEFORE CUTTING!!
  4. **Missing class due to either an excused or an unexcused absence does not excuse you from completing any homework assignments for subsequent classes, for obtaining assignments for the following classes, or for knowing the material covered during your absence.  It is your responsibility to find out if there was assigned work and to complete it by the required deadline, unless the professor grants you an exception due to very unusual circumstances.
  5. All students are expected to come to class on time and to remain for the entire class period.  Every two tardies, leaving early, or a combination of the two will count as one unexcused absence.
  6. THE USE OF CELL PHONES OR PAGERS, except in cases of emergency, will not be permitted in class.  Please turn them off before you enter the room.
  7. All assigned work must be handed in at the beginning of the designated class.  Late work will not be accepted without prior permission of the student.  Such permission will be reserved for very unusual circumstances and only with the understanding that the student must hand in the assignment on or before the new deadline set by the professor.  Failure to comply with these terms will result in a zero for the late assignment.

 

CÓDIGO DE HONOR:  Students must pledge all written work done for this course, as well as any other assignments that are designated as individual work.  In many cases, you will be encouraged to work with a classmate, but if in doubt, ask for clarification BEFORE. 

 

NOTAS:  Participación                        20%

             Examen parcial                    15%                     

             Trabajo de investigación      15%                               90-100 = A

             Pruebas                              15%                                80-89 = B

             Examen final                    20%                               70-79 = C                   

                Presentaciones orales          10%                                60-69 = D  

                Actividades culturales             5%                                            0-59 =F

 

 

 

CALENDARIO DE CLASSES:

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE AND MAY CHANGE DURING THE SEMESTER.  PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO EACH DAY’S ASSIGNMENTS AND ASK FOR CLARIFICATION AS NECESSARY.

 

         8/28   Introducción al curso.  Lea Capítulo 2 (Loprete) para el 30.

 

         8/30   Las civilizaciones precolombinas

 

9/4    Las civilizaciones precolombinas .  Lea Ch. 3  (Loprete) & Ch. 2 (Chasteen) para el 6 y 11

 

         9/6    La Conquista

 

         9/11   La Conquista.  Lea C. 4 (Loprete) & C. 3 (Chasteen) para el 13 y 18

 

         9/13   Colonialismo

 

         9/18   Colonialismo.  Lea C. 6 (Loprete) & C. 4 (Chasteen) para el 20 y 25

 

         9/20   Independencia

 

         9/25   Independencia.  Lea C. 7 (Loprete & 5-6(Chasteen) para el 27-10/4

 

         9/27   Romanticismo, Positivismo, Progreso

 

         10/2   Romanticismo, Positivismo, Progreso

 

         10/4   Romanticismo, Positivismo, Progreso    

         10/9    Catch up/Review 

 

         10/11   EXAMEN PARCIAL

 

         10/16    FALL BREAK           Lea C. 8 (Loprete) 7&9 (Chasteen) para el 18-25

 

         10/18    Neocolonialismo y revolución

               

         10/23  “                “

 

10/25     “               “                  Lea 9,10,11 (Loprete) 10 (Chasteen) para el

30-11/8

 

         10/30    La actualidad—política, religión, educación, etc.    

 

         11/1      “               “

 

         11/6      “               “

 

         11/8       “               “              Lea 12&13 (Loprete) 11 (Chasteen) para el 13-27

 

         11/13      Literatura, artes, neoliberalismo

 

         11/15       “              “

 

         11/20       “             “

 

         11/22    THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

         11/27   Hispanoamérica hoy—el retrato [in]completo 

 

         11/29   Informes

 

         12/4     Informes  **Term papers due

 

         12/6     Repaso y comentarios finales

 

EXAMEN FINAL:

 

Return to Modern Language General Education Page