Course Description:

How does a country come to define itself as such? What diverse elements merge together to form a national and cultural identity? This course will study the development and construction of Spanish culture and civilization from pre-Roman times to the present, focusing on geography, architecture, paintings, literature, music and other cultural manifestations. Specifically, we will examine the cultural threads of distinct identities that have been woven together throughout history to visibly influence the design of contemporary Spanish society. Far from viewing peninsular culture as a seamless, cohesive entity, we will consider the conflicts between dominant and marginalized groups such as men/women, Christians/ Jews/ Moriscans, and villagers/peasants, as crucial forces in the shaping of Spanish identity. Our analyses in this course will question to what extent the concept of "lo castizo" ("Spanishness") has been shaped as a reaction against a foreign other, whether that "other" dwells outside or inside the borders of Spain itself.

Prerequisite: SP 3105

Course Objectives:

• Exams I and II 45%
• Presentation 15%
• Participation 20%
• Final Exam 20%

A = 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 88-89; B = 84-87; B- = 80-83; C+ = 78-79; C = 74-77; C- = 70-73; D+ = 68-69; D = 64-67; D- = 60-63; F = 59 and below.

Class Format:

This course is an interactive learning experience that will depend on students' contributions in class discussions and presentations as well as on the professor's contributions for its success.  You will be asked to collaborate with students in small groups outside of class, so be prepared to adjust your schedules.

In order to enhance our learning experience, we will draw upon and expand an ONLINE cultural database.   This will enable you to have direct access to most class assignments and information not fully developed in your text when you are preparing for class discussion.  Providing tremendous opportunities to explore visual elements of Spanish cultural history, the database contains many links to important resources which will aid you in your research for the group project and items of personal interest.  You will have access to this database on the World Wide Web through your computer or a university lab computer.  All of the information that you need about the course will be online on a server set up for this course (syllabus, practical information, reference works, and more).  I welcome your feedback and contributions to further develop this website. Remember to call 4-HELP if you have technological difficulties.

The WEBSITE ADDRESS for the homepage of this class is:  http://www.fll.vt.edu/culture-civ/spanish/
 

Course Components:  Make-ups are not routinely considered, but if you have extenuating circumstances discuss your problem with me in advance of the due date in question.
 

Exams I and II: These exams will consist of identifications and short answer/essays. They will test both your knowledge of facts and your ability to synthesize and discuss larger cultural concepts. The information covered in class presentations is fair game for the exams.

Group Presentation:The class will be divided into groups, each of which will be assigned a general topic to investigate and present to the class orally. This might consist of individual presentations that highlight distinct aspects of the overall theme, skits, videotaped performances, visual and/or audio aids, or innumerable other possibilities. Be creative!!  Group members will meet outside of class to develop cohesive ideas on the theme, its relevance to the period, the mode of presentation, etc. You must turn in a taped recording of your presentation, typed notes of your report, and a complete bibliography of your sources (i.e, books, articles, journals from the library, web information, etc.). Presentations will emphasize and flesh out elements we have not focused on in class, while tying those elements in with the overall thematic framework. Further requirements will be discussed in class.  EXTRA CREDIT: Each group may post pertinent materials for their presentation on the class website, to provide easy and informative access for everyone.

Participation:Excellent attendance and active participation are crucial to completing this course successfully. Factors taken into consideration in the final grade will include attendance and punctuality, thorough and timely preparation of all assignments, quality of oral participation (not necessarily students’ linguistic skills, which may vary widely, but the content of what they say), collaborative effort in group work, and attitude toward the material.  More than 2 absences will reflect negatively on your final grade.  Any student who is absent is still held responsible for all assignments due the following class day.  Exchange phone numbers with at least three classmates at the start of the semester so that you will have someone to call to get any information you missed during your absence.

Final Exam - TAKE HOME:  The final exam will be a detailed written analysis of the novel  El cuarto de atrás, by Carmen Martín Gaite, an intriguing representation of evolving Spanish culture which we will discuss extensively in class. Specific format and content details will be outlined later in the semester, but the general requirements include: written in Spanish, 12 pt. reasonable sized font, 4-5 double-spaced pages, 1" margins on all sides, MLA format.  The grade will be based on form (including good grammar) and content.  If you wish to discuss your topic, thesis statement, and development before you write the final version of your paper, I encourage you to come to see me well in advance of your due date . Plan ahead!  There won’t be time for me to meet with everyone right at the end of the semester.  This take-home exam will be turned in to me during the final exam time slot designated by the Timetable:
 

9:30 class: Tues., 14 Dec., 7:45 - 9:45 a.m.   WE WILL MEET FROM 9:30-9:45 a.m.

12:30 class: Fri., 10 Dec., 10:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. WE WILL MEET FROM 10:05-10:20 a.m.

Honor System Policy:  Your professor subscribes to the Honor System as stated in the University Policies for Student Life Handbook.  All exams, quizzes, homework, and lab exercises will be held to that standard.  Plagiarism in any form is absolutely unacceptable!

Special Needs:  If you have any special needs with regard to your learning environment, assignments, etc., please notify me as soon as possible so that we may discuss adequate options for you.
 

HORARIO:
 

Changes to the original version of this syllabus are noted below in PINK TEXT.