Grand Valley State University

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Primavera 2009  

SPA 380: Contemporary Spanish Culture 

Lunes y miércoles 12:00-3:20 p.m. MAK C1110

This course is an introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of Spain from the end of the early modern period to the present in order to gain an understanding of the complexity and diversity of the country, its peoples and culture. This course will draw on diverse literary and cultural texts (including literature, art, architecture, and music) in dialogue with the major historical events of the period in order to gain insight into the socio-cultural perspectives that have shaped the formation of contemporary Spain. SPA 380 is a content course, that is to say knowledge-based in which Spanish is used to learn the material.     

Dra. Diane Wright

Tel. (616) 331-3670; 331-3203; e-mail: wrightd@gvsu.edu

Office: B2-259 MAK

Office Hours: Lunes y miércoles 3:30-4:00; y arregladas

Course website: http://www4.gvsu.edu/wrightd/

***Last day to withdraw with a “W”: June 5, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. ***

Goals and Objectives of SPA 380  

By the end of the semester, you should:  

•  Have gained an appreciation and comprehensive knowledge of the geographical and cultural diversity of Spain.

•  Be acquainted with the most important historical and cultural movements and figures in Spain.

• Be more familiar with various socio-cultural contexts in 20^th-Century Spain.

• Be acquainted with on-line resources for Spanish culture and civilization.

• Have continued to develop oral and written communication skills in Spanish.

***Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better.

Course Materials

Ugarte, Francisco, et al. España y su civilización. 6 ed. Updated. McGraw-Hill, 2008

Spanish-English Dictionary

Handouts and on-line readings