MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge
Description:
The student develops a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) — of Hispanic cultures.
The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as either in language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) in Hispanic literature, culture or society. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology, geography, history, political systems), art history, music history, religion or other non-Spanish courses specific to Hispanic culture or society.
The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as either in language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) in Hispanic literature, culture or society. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology, geography, history, political systems), art history, music history, religion or other non-Spanish courses specific to Hispanic culture or society.
How I fulfilled it:
As a student emphasizing in literature and culture, this category is very important to me, and was revealed through a number of very enjoyable classroom experiences. Though any Spanish class offers a certain amount of enlightening information about cultures that speak the language, the university has ensured that each student is exposed to culture through a comprehensive spectrum of outlets. Of the courses I’ve completed during my education: there are four that stand out in this category:
SPAN 426: Narrativa Hispanoamericana (Fall 2012)
SPAN 301: Composition & Oral Practice (Fall 2013)
SPAN 325: Hispanic Cinema (Fall 2013)
SPAN 321: Masterpieces of Spanish Literature (Spring 2014)
I took Narrativa Hispanoamericana during my first semester at CSUMB and was overseen by the wonderful Dr. Maria Zielina. We were encouraged to find and analyze subtle elements of stories, including symbolism, leitmotif, allegorical value, and other literary techniques that are often overlooked. It was an enlightening experience to be challenged so fully, and some of my favorite works were covered, including Cien años de soledad by Gabriel García Márquez and Aura by Carlos Fuentes. Composition and Oral Practice was a good refreshing course on grammatical techniques, but the true value of the course is the education of the different classifications of text such as narrative, advertisement, argumentative, and explanatory. Having a solid grasp of these categories and how to identify the can be very useful when it comes to writing. I think It’s a useful job skill as well. Hispanic Cinema was a refreshing alternative to writing compositions and reading books. We watched films from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and Cuba. At the end of the semester we furnished a portfolio comprised of our perceptions of each film, written in a review form. A major way to internalize a culture is to stay in touch with their popular movies and music, so a course like this is highly effective in assisting students to learn mannerisms and forms of interaction. Masterpieces of Spanish literature was a challenging course that explored the history of spain and its provinces, in addition to the numerous literary works produced over time. The readings in the class included archaic words that taught me about the etymology and evolution of particular terms. We progressed from the earliest works into the present authors, so I feel like a large amount of historical information was gained as well. These courses together have formed a solid base of knowledge that I can use to further my pursuit of cultural immersion, and I know that the volume of authors and masterpieces I have become familiar with will assist me in conversation, future studies, and finding commonality with other individuals.
SPAN 426: Narrativa Hispanoamericana (Fall 2012)
SPAN 301: Composition & Oral Practice (Fall 2013)
SPAN 325: Hispanic Cinema (Fall 2013)
SPAN 321: Masterpieces of Spanish Literature (Spring 2014)
I took Narrativa Hispanoamericana during my first semester at CSUMB and was overseen by the wonderful Dr. Maria Zielina. We were encouraged to find and analyze subtle elements of stories, including symbolism, leitmotif, allegorical value, and other literary techniques that are often overlooked. It was an enlightening experience to be challenged so fully, and some of my favorite works were covered, including Cien años de soledad by Gabriel García Márquez and Aura by Carlos Fuentes. Composition and Oral Practice was a good refreshing course on grammatical techniques, but the true value of the course is the education of the different classifications of text such as narrative, advertisement, argumentative, and explanatory. Having a solid grasp of these categories and how to identify the can be very useful when it comes to writing. I think It’s a useful job skill as well. Hispanic Cinema was a refreshing alternative to writing compositions and reading books. We watched films from Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, and Cuba. At the end of the semester we furnished a portfolio comprised of our perceptions of each film, written in a review form. A major way to internalize a culture is to stay in touch with their popular movies and music, so a course like this is highly effective in assisting students to learn mannerisms and forms of interaction. Masterpieces of Spanish literature was a challenging course that explored the history of spain and its provinces, in addition to the numerous literary works produced over time. The readings in the class included archaic words that taught me about the etymology and evolution of particular terms. We progressed from the earliest works into the present authors, so I feel like a large amount of historical information was gained as well. These courses together have formed a solid base of knowledge that I can use to further my pursuit of cultural immersion, and I know that the volume of authors and masterpieces I have become familiar with will assist me in conversation, future studies, and finding commonality with other individuals.
Course Descriptions:
SPAN 426: Narrativa Hispanoamericana
Taught in Spanish, the course studies Spanish American writers of the 20th century by emphasizing short stories and novels from the last 50 years. Uses literary texts to gain an understanding of Latino cultures, societies, and values.
SPAN 301: Composition & Oral Practice
Continues to build proficiency as defined by the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Content-based instruction develops communicative language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through readings and discussions of authentic Hispanic cultural and literary texts. For students with two or more years of Spanish or an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency.
SPAN 325: Hispanic Cinema
The Hispanic and Luso- Brazilian Cinematic Lens- A Memorable Gaze to Human Odyssey: This course will examine the multiple ways that Hispanic and Brazilian filmmakers have seen Hispanic world, its people, religious beliefs and cultures for more than a century. This course provides the student with a range of perspectives on cultural developments in Spain, Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean from the colonial to the modern period, using critical and literary texts as well as films.
SPAN 321: Masterpieces of Spanish Literature
Reading and discussion of selected masterworks of literature as they reflect the historical, political, and social context of the Peninsular Spanish experience. Students will be introduced to reading and writing critically, and discussing both form and content within these works. All discussions will be carried out in Spanish.
Taught in Spanish, the course studies Spanish American writers of the 20th century by emphasizing short stories and novels from the last 50 years. Uses literary texts to gain an understanding of Latino cultures, societies, and values.
SPAN 301: Composition & Oral Practice
Continues to build proficiency as defined by the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. Content-based instruction develops communicative language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through readings and discussions of authentic Hispanic cultural and literary texts. For students with two or more years of Spanish or an intermediate level of Spanish language proficiency.
SPAN 325: Hispanic Cinema
The Hispanic and Luso- Brazilian Cinematic Lens- A Memorable Gaze to Human Odyssey: This course will examine the multiple ways that Hispanic and Brazilian filmmakers have seen Hispanic world, its people, religious beliefs and cultures for more than a century. This course provides the student with a range of perspectives on cultural developments in Spain, Brazil, Latin America and the Caribbean from the colonial to the modern period, using critical and literary texts as well as films.
SPAN 321: Masterpieces of Spanish Literature
Reading and discussion of selected masterworks of literature as they reflect the historical, political, and social context of the Peninsular Spanish experience. Students will be introduced to reading and writing critically, and discussing both form and content within these works. All discussions will be carried out in Spanish.