Spanish 390 is a community based course connected with social change, continuity, and diversity in contemporary Spanish society. Our weekly readings, media materials and student lead discissions will be multidisciplinary: as we explore different aspects of contemporary Spain through history, literature, art, sociology, economy, politics, etc. Films will be considered as texts.The first module of the course focuses on plural Spain, including Basque and Catalan nationalist movements. We will review social change in the next two modules, the first, including the Spanish civil war and the Franco regime, the transitions and the “Movida”. The second module addresses more recent issues of women and LGBTQ+ rights, and populist political movements. Finally, we explore the current and future pressing social issues: immigration & emigration, education, welfare, healthcare and how these are expected to further strain Spanish society in the future.
Readings, films and discussions are intended to improve students understanding of social issues in Spain by unraveling the historical and cultural significance of the subjects. Particular emphasis is put on current events with select readings from main stream news, media that relate historical topics to contemporary social, political and economic issues in Spain. Students will engage in the community via a service project, maintaining a weekly journal of activity and submitting a final report reflecting on their experience. Students will choose their CBL activity according to their interests and availability of programming (internship, volunteering, being part of a cultural group, etc.) and will receive a letter grade that counts towards their GPA.
- Teacher: Lola Santamaria