Prof. Jorge H. Cubillos
Smith 416 (x2041)
cubillos@udel.edu

Course information

This course is an introduction to comtemporary Spain, its culture, its people, their way of life and the issues confronting them.

Note: Span208 is taught in English as part of the Winter Session Program in Granada, Spain.

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Course Description

The course consists  of lectures, excursions and cultural visits to sites throughout Central and Southern Spain.  A number of local experts will be invited to provide additional insights to supplement the readings and cultural excursions.

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Course Objectives

This course seeks to:

1. Provide students with a better understanding of the diverse influences that make up contemporary Spain and,

2. Serve as cultural background for their study abroad experience in Spain.

Course Policies

Attendance to all lectures, excursions, and cultural visits is mandatory (except, of course, for cases of illness or severe
emergencies).   Failure to attend scheduled events will jeopardize students' participation in the program (i.e. violators may be sent home).

Grading, Evaluation Policies and Procedures

Grades will be calculated on the basis of the following components:

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1. Travel log/scrap book. (35%)  Students will hand in a detailed travel log with entries for all major visits and cultural excursions.  Although presentation and creativity will be taken into account (30 out of a possible 100 points), the bulk of the grade (70 points) will be based on the quality and completeness of the travel log entries.

2. Quizzes (5). (50%)  There will be five quizzes on the readings, presentations and cultural excursions of the program.  Students may use  their own notes during most examinations (however, no books or sharing of notes will be allowed).

3. Participation. (15%)  Active involvement in all lectures, visits, and class discussions is expected.

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HONORS REQUIREMENTS:  Students taking the Honors version of this course will be asked to write a 3-page paper in Spanish on a cultural topic to be selected in consultation with the instructor (deadline for the selection of research topic: December 6, 2000).  Students will investigate this topic while in Spain, by interviewing native speakers and eliciting opinion's on the topic's cultural significance or social relevancy to the city, region, or country.  The students may also have to visit local sites of interest, preferably ones not visited as part of the culture course.

Papers are due on January 26, 2000, and they will be followed by a 15 minute conference with the instructor on the results of each investigation.

Tentative Course Calendar (Last update: 12/04/00)*

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The course will meet on the following dates:

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Date	Topic
November 7	Overview of Spanish Geography, History, and Art Read: Spain.  Inside Guide.  Pages 15-65 (overview of Spanish History), and pages 87-92 (Spanish Painting).
December 6	Quiz 1 (Spanish Geography, History and Art)** ** Given the introductory nature of the material, students will not be allowed to use their notes during this examination. Before Departure on Jan. 2: Read: Spain. Inside Guide. Pages 127-149 (Madrid and Madrid Province), p. 161-163 (Segovia), and p.165-170 (Toledo) These topics will be discussed at JFK and on route to Madrid.
January 3-7	Cultural Excursions: Madrid, Segovia, Toledo
January 8	The geographical and administrative organization of Spain
January 9	Quiz 2 (Madrid, Madrid Province, Segovia and Toledo)
January 10	Early inhabitants and the impact of the Roman Empire on the Iberian Penninsula
January 11	The impact of Arab culture in Granada (visit to the Albaicín in the afternoon) Read: Spain. Inside Guide. Pages 209-231 (Granada and the Andalusian Heartland)
January 12-14	Cultural Excursions: Alpujarras, Salobreña, Nerja, Marbella, Ronda
January 15	Visit to the Alhambra
January 16	Quiz 3 (Early influences on Spanish culture, Granada, and the Andalusian Heartland)
January 17	Impact of the Catholic church on Spanish art and traditions  (visit to the Cathedral in the afternoon)
January 18	The Spanish Civil War and García Lorca (in the afternoon, visit to Fuentevaqueros) Read: Spain. Inside Guide. Pages 127-149 (Seville and Córdoba)
January 19-21	Cultural Excursions: Córdoba, Sevilla, Cádiz
January 22	Today's political situation
January 23	Quiz 4 (Seville, Córdoba, and the transition to Modern Spain)
January 24	Attitudes and values in today's Spain  (in the afternoon, Sevillana class # 1 - Group B)
January 25	Contemporary art expressions (in the afternoon, Sevillana class # 1 - Group A) Read: Spain. Inside Guide. Pages 71-111 (Features on Spanish people, art, food, etc.)
January 29	Time to work on Travel log (in the afternoon, Sevillana class # 2 - Group A)
January 30	Quiz 5 (Contemporary Spain) - (in the afternoon, Sevillana class # 2 - Group B) Due: Travel log/Scrap book

* Note: Class schedule may be modified at the discretion of the instructor and according to the needs of the class

Readings

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-Required reading:

Insight Guide to Spain. (4th Edition).  Langensche.

-Recommended:

Eyewitness Travel Guide: Spain (2000 edition).  DK Travel Writers.