Introduction to spanish culture

Lectures: Two sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

This course has several purposes. The major concern will be the examination of Spanish culture including Spain's history, architecture, art, literature and film, to determine if there is a uniquely Spanish manner of seeing and understanding the world - one which emerges as clearly distinct from our own and that of other Western European nations.

As we examine the origins of Spain, we will emphasize certain themes: the importance of the co-existence of three cultures - Arabic, Christian and Jewish, over 700 years as a shaping factor in the Spanish way of being, the question of honor - personal and social - and the striving for the definition of a national culture. The artistic role of the convert Jews, mystics and heretics, marginal figures in Inquisitional Spain, will be linked to the twentieth century artists who, because they disagreed with the Fascist regime, were marginalized through exile, imprisonment or censorship.

In addition to acquiring information about Spanish culture, another concern of this course will be to provide a bridge between advanced language courses and advanced literature courses. Thus, we will stress the acquisition of rapid reading skills in Spanish, the expansion of vocabulary to allow you to deal with abstract concepts in Spanish, the refining of your ability to express complex ideas orally in Spanish, and the development of more sophisticated listening skills. While some members of the class will be native speakers, all class members are expected to participate fully in discussions.

Please note: Essays submitted late without prior permission from the instructor will be penalized by one full letter grade. Acceptance of late papers will remain subject to instructor's discretion. Always keep a printed copy of your essay.

Unless you cite a book, article, or internet source, we assume the words and ideas in your essays are your own. Please remember:

If at any point, you should feel the need for further discussion to clarify any issue, the instructor will meet with you outside class.

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