Sep 13, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
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2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
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SPN 4980 - Topics in the Spanish-Speaking World

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
Taught in Spanish, this interdisciplinary course explores aspects of Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish and Latinx history, economics, environment, society, politics, and culture. Topics will change periodically, focusing on a particular region or subject. Sample topics include transculturation, nation-building, globalization, exile and immigration, imperialism and colonization, violence and war, border culture, representations of self-other relationships, and human rights and memory. Readings, lectures, film viewings, and discussions will constitute integral components of the course and draw upon the work of various academic disciplines and artistic traditions. We will study different periods in history and explore how art, film, and literature have responded to those particular moments. Students in this course will have the opportunity to refine their knowledge and practice of various methods of cultural analysis, through a variety of creative assignments. 
Prereq: SPN 3001  or university-level equivalent and/or instructor’s consent. Recommended courses: Latin American and Caribbean History
Note: None
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: Embrace Diversity
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Recognize key works and authors of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and/or Latinx USA
  • Identify and describe major themes, socio-cultural movements and historical events in Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, and/or Latinx USA
  • Demonstrate a sound general understanding of the chosen works and themes, including reference to their place in their historical, political, and cultural contexts
  • Show awareness of the origins and nature of cultural differences between Latin America and the US, as well as among different Latin American countries
  • Improve written and oral proficiency in Spanish through historical, literary, film and visual analysis, class participation, exams, essays, and assignments
  • Examine arts and literature as a site of convergence of different types of discourse-cultural, social, philosophical, political, ideological
  • Examine possible ideological, esthetic, political, social connections with contemporary issues, and reflect on how our knowledge of the past enriches our awareness of the present
  • Interpret and evaluate historic documents, testimonials and academic scholarship
  • Relate various  forms  of  knowledge-local  and  foreign;  scholarly  and  popular-that contribute to a broad understanding of Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and Latinx cultures and societies
Prerequisites by Topic
  • None
Course Topics
  • Specific topic chosen each term.
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and/or Latinx history
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and/or Latinx literature and culture
  • Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and/or Latinx arts and visual culture
Coordinator
Dr. Candela Marini


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