This course will introduce students to the culture and contemporary society of Mexico with an overview of the country's history, politics, art, festivals, religious celebrations, and cuisine. Students will read a recent novel and see a contemporary film in order to catch the full "flavor" of the vitality and richness of Mexican culture. (Not open to native speakers of Spanish.)
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 201 Spanish Conversation and SPAN 202 Spanish Composition or permission of the department.
SPAN 201 Spanish Conversation (2 hours)
Spanish 201 is a third-year course designed to provide guided practice in speaking Spanish. Class will be conducted entirely in Spanish. In this course we will build vocabulary and cultural understanding while we focus on the fundamental communicative skills necessary to natural, everyday conversation. Empahsis will be on realistic conversation and oral presentaiton of opinions and facts that closely resemble interaction required of studens living in a Spanish-speaking country or cultivating realationships with native Spanish speakers. Grammatical structures will be discussed as a support for oral communication. Prerequisite: Spanish Stage 4 or equivalent, or permission of Department. May not be taken after semester of study abroad.
SPAN 202 Spanish Composition (4 hours)
Spanish 202 is a third-year course designed to provide guided practice in writing Spanish in the context of a formal, academic setting. The course includes annotated readings and advanced language study (vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and punctuation) to provide the tools to master written Spanish. Writing "workships" provide the framework to be a successful writer and are based on a process approach to writing, involving, brainstorming, free-writing, models, organizing, drafting, and revising. Prerequisite: Spanish Stage 4 or equivalent or permission of the department.
