ML 303 – Spanish Culture
Fall 2003
Sección: 01
M, W, F: 399 Millett @ 12:15-1:20
Michelle Cipriano-Risner, M.A.
[email protected]
tel.: (937) 775-2263 – 328 Millett Hall
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 pm or by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Designed for non-Spanish speakers, the goal of this 10-week course is
designed to give the students a taste of Spanish culture. We will explore Spanish culture by studying
its geography, history, art, architecture, music, film, people, language, and religion. We will use the
course packet and supplementary materials in our exploration of Spain. Students are encouraged to
contribute any interesting materials they discover in their research. During the quarter there will be
guest speakers, videos, a film, and student presentations.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To develop an understanding of and appreciation for Spanish culture.
2. To demonstrate critical thinking through written assignments, presentations, and in-class dialogue.
3. To make comparisons and contrasts with one’s own cultural patterns.
TEXT: Course Packet; Additional Readings
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: The student must have a WSU e-mail account.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Exams (3)
Presentations (1)
Reaction Papers (2)
Final Project
40%
15%
20%
25%
EXAMS: There will be three exams for this course including the FINAL EXAM given during finals
week. Together they account for 40% of the student’s grade. The exams will be a combination of
true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the- blank, and short essay.
Exams will cover a variety of materials: lectures, class discussions, student presentations, visual aids,
videos, handouts, articles, movies, etc. Anything discussed or mentioned in class or written on the
board is FAIR GAME for exam questions. Reading material NOT discussed in class is also possible.
Pop quizzes will be given at the instructor’s discretion.
PRESENTATIONS: The students will do a 10-minute class presentation on a cultural or art topic of
their choice (approved by the instructor). The students are encouraged to supplement their
presentations with visual aids, handouts for the class, etc. The material covered in the presentations
will appear on the exams, so students must pay attention and take notes during their fellow classmates’
presentations.
REACTION PAPERS: Each student must read a feature article regarding Spain/Spanish culture and
view a Spanish film outside of class. Then the student will write a reaction paper about them. This is
NOT a research paper, but rather a space that will allow you to critically reflect on the article or film
and particular aspects of Spanish culture. The paper should be two (2) pages maximum, typed [12 font
and 1 inch margins] and double-spaced. A copy of the article should accompany the reaction paper.
FINAL PROJECT: At the end of the quarter, you will hand in a complete itinerary of your own
seven-day trip to Spain. You must choose a specific theme or region for your trip and organize it
accordingly. Your project is not limited to but must include the following details: a) all costs involved
(round-trip airfare, hotel, travel within the country, etc.); b) general itinerary for the seven-day period;
c) daily itineraries with justifications for major sites chosen (include a brief description of the day’s
main point of interest and its cultural significance); and d) one day’s menu in detail. Important Note:
This trip must be your own creative work. Copying from another source (travel agency, electronic
travel site, etc.) constitutes plagiarism. Should you decide to quote or paraphrase a source in your
writing, you should document this source appropriately. You will be graded in the following manner:
a) Creativity/Originality 5%; b) Organization 10%; c) Content 10%. The final project is due on the
last day of class, Friday, November 14, 2003.
You may research the presentations and project on the Internet as well as in print sources. The
English edition of El País can be found at www.elpaís.es/misc/herald/herald.html. National
Geographic is an excellent source for articles about specific cities and or regions of Spain. Another
excellent source is Sí, Spain at http://www.sispain.org
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Attendance is mandatory for the successful completion
of this course. You cannot participate if absent from class. You are expected to participate
ACTIVELY in class discussions/activities; therefore, you must come to class prepared. If for some
reason you must miss, it is your responsibility to contact a fellow classmate, so you can find out what
happened in class and if there are any specific assignments due.
In accordance with the attendance policy of the Department of Modern Languages, six (6) absences
will result in the loss of a letter grade, and with seven (7) absences you will fail the course
(regardless of the reason for the absences). Excessive tardiness will count toward an absence. Please
note: 15 minutes late = 1 absence
GENERAL INFORMATION: No make-ups will be given for any exam. If you miss an exam,
then your total average will reflect a missing score.
Students are encouraged to keep up with daily/weekly news concerning Spain. Check with
regularity what is going on in Spain and offer these items up to the class at any moment.
SYLLABUS
WEEK 1
M, Sept. 8
IN CLASS
Introduction; What is culture?
FOR NEXT CLASS
Find and print out Spain
info. on CIA website
W, Sept. 10
Video: Spain: Everything Under the Sun
Rd. Ch. 26: “Centrifugal
Forces”
F, Sept. 12
History; General Overview
WEEK 2
M, Sept. 15
Video: Medieval conflict—faith and reason
W, Sept. 17
The Moors
F, Sept. 19
Guest Speaker: Xenia Bonch-Bruevich, Ph.D.
Modern Languages
WEEK 3
M, Sept. 22
Spanish Civil War
W, Sept. 24
Guest Speaker: David Garrison, Ph.D., Chair,
Modern Languages: Topic: Franco Era
F, Sept. 26
Francisco Franco
WEEK 4
M, Sept. 29
EXAM I
W, Oct. 1
Spanish Monarchy
F, Oct. 3
Religion and the Church in Spain
WEEK 5
M, Oct. 6
Bibliographic Instruction: Charlotte Droll,
Humanities Librarian
W Oct. 8
Video:
F, Oct. 10
Spanish Music
WEEK 6
M, Oct. 13
Art Presentations
W, Oct. 15
Art Presentations
F, Oct. 17
Art Presentations
WEEK 7
M, Oct. 20
EXAM II
Rd. Ch. 27: “The Basques”
W, Oct. 22
The Basques
Rd. Ch. 28: “The Catalans”
F, Oct. 24
The Catalans
WEEK 8
M, Oct. 27
RESEARCH DAY
W, Oct. 29
Film: “Women on the Verge of a Nervous
Breakdown”
Find review of film and
bring to class
F, Oct. 31
Film cont.; Class discussion of film
WEEK 9
M, Nov. 3
Cultural Presentations
W, Nov. 5
Cultural Presentations
F, Nov. 7
CulturalPresentations
Prepare/Purchase food item
for Monday
WEEK 10
M, Nov. 10
Gastronomy
Rd. Ch. 29: “The Galicians”
W, Nov. 12
The Galicians
F, Nov. 14
CATCH-UP / REVIEW / FINAL PROJECTS DUE
WEEK 11
W, Nov. 19
Final Exam – 1:00- 3:00 p.m.