SPAN 296 - Topics in Hispanic Culture and Expression

Credits: 3 in fall or winter, 4 in spring

Prerequisite: SPAN 162, 164, or equivalent. This course offers students the opportunity to further their understanding of Hispanic cultures and their expression by focusing on a relevant cultural, linguistic or literary topic, on an historical period, or on a region of Spain, Latin America or the U.S. Readings, discussions, and assignments are primarily in Spanish. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.

Winter 2020, SPAN 296A-01: Topic in Hispanic Culture and Expression: Los Hispanos en EEUU (3). Prerequisite: SPAN 162, 164, or equivalent. This civilization and culture course examines the presence of major Latino cultural groups in the United States. Special attention is given to Mexican-American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican diaspora, with secondary attention to populations from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America. In particular, the course focuses on the manifestations of cultural and artistic expression by exploring questions of identity, as influenced by heritage, assimilation, hybridity, and immigration and exile. For each group, the study takes into account the past (civilization and cultural legacies) as well as the present (socio-political circumstances). In this way, we hope to answer fundamental cultural questions such as: What are the prevalent demographic and cultural characteristics of many Latino groups in the US? How might they differ? What are the historical roots that distinguish them? What impact will these and future groups have on US society at large? And, how do visual and literary artists reflect their own personal histories within a given culture? Class discussion and writing assignments are mostly in Spanish; reading assignments in English and Spanish. In addition to select chapters from a civilization reader, we read brief excerpts from several major diasporic writers such as Gloria Anzaldúa, Esmeralda Santiago, Uva de Aragón, and Achy Obejas. Sandra Cisneros’ La casa en Mango Street is be read in its entirety. Barnett.

Spring 2020, SPAN 296-01: Social and Cultural Practices in Spain: The Construction of National Identity (4). Prerequisite: SPAN 162 or 164, or instructor consent. An examination of contemporary socio-cultural practices contributing to a multiplicity of understandings and manifestations of Spain, its cultures, and its peoples. Students investigate and discuss different aspects of the diversity of Spanish cultures in order to understand better the complexity of the notion of a Spanish national identity. Reyes.

Print this Page