Develops students' knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture in a Spanish-speaking country under the direction of a World Languages faculty member. Includes language and cultural lessons prior to departure and a researched reflection on a particular theme of interest presented upon students' return. Specific travel information announced at least one semester prior to departure.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
SPN-290 is designed to provide opportunities for language practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Spanish. As a Study Abroad course, this course promotes the knowledge of a Spanish-speaking country and its people and helps students understand how language and culture connect. This course also encourages academic responsibility, critical thinking, and an understanding of research methods, the results of which will be presented as a researched essay, report, or other creative project.
- Phonetics
- Vocabulary and idioms
- Listening comprehension
- Grammatical structures
- Research and critical analysis
- Culture
- Demonstrate knowledge of phonetics through the comprehensible pronunciation of Spanish as spoken in the destination country
- Interpret and correctly apply vocabulary and idioms of the country and region of travel
- Interpret and respond appropriately to conversational themes with an emphasis on varieties and accents of the country and region of travel
- Develop and use grammatical structures that support informal and academic discourse
- Synthesize and analyze information on particular issues relating to the Spanish language and Hispanic literatures and cultures from primary and secondary sources
- Compare and contrast stereotypes of and experiences with the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures with U.S. stereotypes and experiences
Note: A grade of C- is not transferrable and is not accepted by some programs at HFC.
Assessment and Requirements
Assessment of academic achievement will be identified and implemented by the class instructor. Methods will include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in lessons and activities prior to travel, during travel, and upon return
- Frequent consultations with the instructor
- Periodic written summary of work performed/reflective portfolio
- Final project and presentation
- Prior to leaving the United States, the students and instructor will choose a mutual area of interest such as one aspect of basic language, literature, culture, etc.
- The instructor will then assist the students in identifying resources for investigation (books, web sites, journal articles, places to visit, people to interview, etc.), at least some of which will be in Spanish.
- The students will conduct pre-travel research on their own.
- The students and instructor will travel to a Spanish-speaking country and put into practice their newly acquired linguistic and cultural knowledge.
- While in a Spanish-speaking country, the students, aided by the instructor, will do further research on their selected topic.
- Upon returning to the United States, the students will present a paper, report, or project along with a bibliography by the end of the semester.
All sections of this level will use a textbook and/or accompanying materials selected by the course coordinator and approved by the World Languages Committee.
Outcomes
- Humanities and Fine Arts