Group Projects
I. Introduction
When studying abroad in Spain, you will be exposed to all kinds of nuances – especially since we will be seeing so many different cities in different regions. In the first week we will be in Madrid (Central Spain) and traveling the surrounding areas, but we then move to the South of Spain and will be traveling much of Andalucia which is very different from Madrid in many ways. After being exposed to so many different things in such a short period of time you may experience the phenomenon known as “culture shock.” Even if you never experience “culture shock,” since there is a six hour difference between Spain’s time and ours (they are 6 hours ahead of us) you will most likely experience the phenomenon known as “jet lag!”

Having lived 6 months in Spain and having traveled to over seven countries – between continents – it is my strong belief that you will get the most out of your experience if you can, whenever possible, relate your experiences in Spain to your living experiences in the United States. Although you are going to Spain in order to experience a new culture, and we don’t want to continue the “Ugly American” stereotype in Europe, that does not mean that you must leave everything about you at home. Growing up in the United States makes you very different from the Spaniard in many ways. Your socialization, political system, history, etc. is not the same. 

It is essential to the success of this project that you think about all 18 years of living with your family. Think of your upbringing - both your family and your own personal values. Think of what your first crack at adulthood in your first semester at the University of Delaware has taught you about yourself and life in general. Not only will pondering these ideas allow you to have a much more profound experience in retrospect, but it will also enable you to do much better on your group project. 

When in Spain you must dare to be observant! To help you get more out of your experience, to make you more observant (and to simultaneously complete the LIFE group component that is required for our trip) the group project will be titled: Cultural Differences Between Spain and the United States. 

II. Projects to Choose From
Spain and the U.S. are different. Fine, fine! But what does that mean? Simply stating that they are different doesn’t tell us much at all. How are they different? Are they at all the same in any way? This is a huge topic that we will all attempt as a group to answer via a series of projects. 

Below are a series of cultural practices. Depending on the topic, the observance may or may not appear in the U.S. as well. You and your partner (your assigned roommate) will explore one topic in detail. Ultimately you present your topic to the rest of the group. In order to keep things interesting and to cover as many topics possible, no one will be allowed to present the same topic. Topics will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

All groups will be answering the following questions when exploring their chosen topic – How is (topic of interest) completely different in Spain than its existence in the U.S.? How is it the same? What is the history behind your topic (general background)?

• Spanish Civil War & its importance in Today’s Spain (4 Topics to choose from)

The Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship that took place afterwards is something that will never be erased from the Spaniard’s memory. Let’s not forget that Spain only became a democracy in 1978. 
1. Spanish Civil War in general. This project will examine what the Spanish Civil War consisted of – the opposing sides, the stakes at interest, etc. 
2. General Francisco Franco. Who was he? His background? How did he come to power? What was Spain like before he came to power? What was Spain like during his rule? How do Spaniards view him now? 
3. Importance of Federico Garcia Lorca (from Granada) and his martyrdom. Who was he? His background? What political party did he support? Why he was killed? What does his death represent?
4. Picasso’s Guernica. A biography of Picasso will not be allowed here, though it may be briefly discussed. This project will focus moreso on his painting of Guernica, a city in Spain that was painted by Picasso right before World War II broke out in Europe. It is a painting that we will see at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid. The group that picks this topic will examine Guernica’s importance with respect to the Spanish Civil War. What did it represent? Why was Picasso exiled from Spain? What was artistic expression like before the Civil War? During? What was Franco’s policy with respect to artistic expression after the Spanish Civil War? 

• Holidays (2 Topics to choose from)

There are obviously some holidays that we celebrate in the U.S. that Spaniards do not celebrate. There are also some holidays that we celebrate at the same time but in different ways. This project will be a comparison project that will examine either Semana Santa or how Christmas is celebrated in Spain. These groups must address what the holidays mean in both countries.
1.  How are they celebrated differently? 
2.  How are they celebrated in the same way?

• Politics (2 Topics to choose from)
1. Spain & the European Union. Spain was long considered the outcast of Europe. Now it is considered one of the main European powers. Why was Spain viewed as such? When did that view begin its circulation? Is it the same today? When did this transition take place? How did this transition take place?
2. Economy of Spain. What is the economy like in Spain? What is the main source of income for Spain as a country? What imports and exports does it have? How is its economy different from the economy in the U.S.? How is it the same? This project will require an examination of general price comparisons between the Spain and the U.S., a thorough explanation of the system of “rebajas,” and a comparison between the standards of living in Spain and the U.S.

• Education System in Spain. (2 Topics to Choose from)
1. Primary and Secondary Education System. Examine the primary and secondary Spanish education system in detail. What is it like? What are the similarities between the American system and the Spanish system? What are the differences? 
2. University Education system. Examine the Spanish University system in detail. Do most Spaniards attend university? What is the price comparison between universities in Spain and universities in the U.S.?
• Contemporary Spanish Dance and Music (2 Topics to choose from)
1. Flamenco and sevillanas are the two traditional dances in Spanish culture. This group will examine both dances. What are they? Where and when did they originate? Is there a particular reason why they dance this way? 
2. Spanish Pop Music. Who are the top artists on the Spanish music pop charts? What kind of music does the typical Spaniard listen to? Do they listen to American pop? Is Spanish pop the same as American pop? Pick one pop star in Spain and examine that person’s background, music, etc. 
• Typical Spanish Foods
• What are the principal types of food products that can be found in Spain? Focus specifically on Andalucia, since this is the region of Spain in which we will spend the most time. Why do Spaniards eat the main meal at what we would classify as lunch? Has it always been that way? 
• Spanish Cinema (3 Topics to choose from)
1. General. How are Spanish movies different from American movies? What are the principal topics in many movies in Spain? What are some of the Spanish films that are considered classics? Pick a movie and examine it in detail. 
2. Pick a director and examine his/her biography, filmography and impact on Spanish film. 
3. Pick an actor/actress in Spanish cinema and examine this person’s biography, filmography, and impact on Spanish film. 
• Fashion and dress in Spain. 
• Fashion in general: Importance of fashion industry in Spain. Special fabrics, styles or articles (ascots, berets, shawls, mantillas, boots) used. Countries from which they import. Formal and informal dress codes; use of uniforms. Fashion in particular: How do they normally dress? How do they dress for different activities? Is there much American influence? What changes have occurred in the last 50 years? 
• Sports in Spain. (2 topics to choose from)
1. In general: What are the primary sports that are popular in Spain? Examine two of these sports in detail (one of the sports examined cannot be bullfighting). Can these sports be found in the U.S.? Are the rules the same? 
2. Bullfighting. Examine, in detail, this sport - its history, the different stages of a bullfight, the main actors in a bullfight, etc. What is the general sentiment in Spain towards bullfighting? Are most people OK with it? What are the opposing views of keeping versus getting rid of bullfights all together? 

2) All presenters must have visuals of some sort. This will be a separate portion of your grade. (20 points)

3) To be certain that the project has substance, the length of your presentation must be no more than 15 minutes but no less than 10 minutes. (10 points)

4) You will be graded on the thoughtfulness and general quality of your presentation. Be creative!  (30 points)
Encompassed in this portion of your grade is a required bibliography of the sources of information used in your presentation. You must have at least 2 different sources from which you obtain your information. In other words, all of the information in your presentation cannot be gathered solely from the internet (or any other source, for that matter).

5) To be certain that your project is a well thought out work rather than something that is thrown together last minute, there will be two progress reports. While the first progress report is just to make sure that you are on the right track, the second progress report is to make certain that you are well-prepared for your presentation. It is your responsibility to see me before January 13th in order to receive the full 5 points for the first report – I will not hunt you down!! The second progress report will be due on January 20th (before your free weekend). (10 points – 5 points for each report)