Span208: Contemporary Spain I

SPAN 208: CONTEMPORARY SPAIN I

Jim DeJong
107 Mitchell Hall (x3071)
dejong@udel.edu

Course information: This course is an introduction to contemporary Spain, its culture, its people, their way of life and the issues confronting them.; Note: Span208 is taught in English as part of the Summer session Program in Granada, Spain. (Click here for tentative itinerary); .
Course Description: The course consists of lectures, activities, cultural visits, and excursions to sites throughout Central and Southern Spain. A number of local experts will be invited to provide additional insights to supplement the readings and cultural excursions.; .
Course Objectives: This course:; 1. Seeks to provide students with a better understanding of the diverse influences that have contributed to the formation of contemporary Spain, the Spanish way of life, and the Spanish character.; 2. Serves as cultural background for the students' study abroad experience in Spain.

Course Policies

Grading, Evaluation Policies and Procedures: Grades will be calculated on the basis of the following components:; .; 1. Travel log/scrap book. (35%) Students will hand in a detailed travel log with entries for all major visits and cultural excursions. Although presentation and creativity will be taken into account (30 out of a possible 100 points), the bulk of the grade (70 points) will be based on the quality and completeness of the travel log entries.; 2. Quizzes (5). (50%) There will be five quizzes on the readings, presentations and cultural excursions of the program. Students may use their own notes during most examinations (however, no books or sharing of notes will be allowed).; 3. Participation. (10%) Overall active involvement in all lectures, visits, and class discussions is expected.; (5%) Farewell Event Entertainment. (Prepare funny skits, songs, a dance, a poem, etc. "todo en español por supuesto". We hope to invite two people from each of the host families to a buffet dinner with entertainment afterwards, as a thank you to the families and for us to remember and laugh about the events of the month.); .; HONORS REQUIREMENTS: Students taking the Honors version of this course will be asked to do a project. (Click here for details). Deadline for the selection of the project: Tuesday, May 15.; Papers will be followed by a 15 minute conference with the instructor on the results of each investigation.

Tentative Course Calendar (Last update: 4/20/01)*: NOTE: Please do all readings before coming to class on the day it is assigned. On most quizzes you will be allowed to use notes but no textbook, so take notes while you read, as well as in class and on the tours.; The course will meet on the following dates:; * Note: Class schedule may be modified at the discretion of the instructor and according to the needs of the class

Readings
.: -Required reading:; Insight Guide to Spain. (4th Edition) 2000. APA Publications/Langenscheidt.; -Required reading:; Insight Guide Southern Spain. (3rd Edition). 1999 APA Publications/Langenscheidt.; -Recommended:; Eyewitness Travel Guide: Spain (2000 edition). DK Travel Writers. (Excellent graphics, details, drawings)

	Topic
Wednesday April 18	Overview of Spanish Geography, History, and Art (Click to see the PowerPoint Presentation) READ: S. pp. 15-65 (overview of Spanish History), and S. pp. 87-93 (Spanish Painting).
Tuesday May 15	Quiz 1 (Spanish Geography, History and Art) Given the introductory nature of the material, students will not be allowed to use their notes during this examination. Before Departure on May 31: READ: S. pp. 121-149 (Madrid and Madrid Province), S. pp. 161-163 (Segovia), S. pp.186-187 (Castles) and S. pp.165-170 (Toledo & the Quijote Trail) These topics will be discussed at JFK and en route to Madrid.
June 1-5	Cultural Excursions: Madrid, Segovia, Toledo
Wednesday June 6	Lecture: Early inhabitants, Roman Spain, Arab Spain READ: SS. pp. 15-33 (Early History of Andalucía) & SS. pp. 71-77 (Footprints of the Moors) & S. pp.209-215 (Granada & the Albaicin) Afternoon: Tour and orientation to Granada: the Old Town and the Albaicin focusing on the impact of Arab culture in Granada.
Thursday June 7	Quiz 2 (Madrid, Madrid Province, Segovia and Toledo) 45 mins. Lecture: 45 mins. the Reconquest until 1492; and the age of Exploration and Empire: (prepare for visits to Cadiz, Sevilla, Cordoba) READ: SS. pp. 35-50 Afternoon: settle in, read for tomorrow, and explore Granada some more on your own)
Fri.-Sun. June 8-10	Cultural Excursions: Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz READ: before we leave!! General Information: S. pp. 191-207 (Sevilla, Córdoba) S. pp. 221-223 (Jeréz and Cádiz) More specific information: SS. pp.137-158, 162-175 (Sevilla & Córdoba) SS. 271-277 (Cádiz and Provinces, Sherry dynasties) SS. pp. 97-101 (History of Sherry wines)
Monday June 11	"Spanish" Catholicism: How it formed, how it fought for survival against Moors and Reformation Christianity, how it conquored new worlds, its influence on art and tradition. Popular expressions of Catholicism: Fiestas in Spain and Andalucía READ: S. pp110-111 & SS. 66-67 (Visit to the Cathedral in the afternoon)
Tuesday June 12	Bullfighting: "La Fiesta Brava" & Flamenco: Born in Andalucía: READ: S. pp. 78-83(Bullfighting)& S. pp. 101-105 (Flamenco) SS. pp. 81-85 (Bullfighting)& SS. pp. 89-93 (Flamenco) Contemporary art expressions (in the afternoon, Sevillanas class # 1)
Wednesday June 13	Quiz 3 (Influences on Spanish culture from the Ancients through Exploration and Empire: Catholicism, Fiestas, Flamenco) Contemporary Art Expressions: (in the afternoon Sevillanas Class #2.
Thursday June 14	Fiesta del Corpus: no class
Fri.-Sun. June 15-17	Free Weekend: Stay and enjoy a weekend in Granada or Explore and travel in Spain. Make travel plans ahead of time or with a travel agent in Granada.
Monday June 18	Rise of Liberal Spain: The Spanish Civil War: & 40 years of Dictatorship & Exile; 1936 -1975 READ: S. pp. 49 - 55, SS. pp. 49-50 READ: by the afternoon: SS. pp178-195, (Granada) S. pp.209-215 (review) Evening Visit to the Alhambra Palace:
Tuesday June 19	MOVIE: "The Disappearance of García Lorca" (in the afternoon possible visit to Fuentevaqueros: Lorca's house.)
Wednesday June 20	Politics and Economy: peaceful transition to Modern Spain since 1975: - NATO, EU, Political Parties: Terrorism, industrialization READ: S. pp.57-65 Democracy and Autonomy
Thursday June 21	45 minutes: Spain Today: "Catching up with the rest of EUROPE? or "Ahead of the Game" a society that northerners want to emulate and enjoy? Technology, tourism, art, media, music, Spanish attractiveness etc. & 45 minutes: The War over social values, fought through media, and education The new social problems: drug addiction, AIDS, etc. READ: S. 71-77 The Spanish Character, review SS. 49-50 SS. pp.199-203 (Around Granada - the Alpujarras) Afternoon Cultural visit: Alpujarras (bring pak lunches)
Fr.i-Sun. June 22-24	CULTURAL Excursions: Malaga and the Beaches READ before we leave!! SS. pp.115-119 - (The goodtime costa) SS. pp.231-233, 253-256 (Malaga & Costa del Sol)
Monday June 25	Mediterranean Cuisine, and Spanish Regional variations: Influences of New and Old World on each other's cuisine. READ: S. pp. 107-109 (Regional Cuisine) SS. pp. 102-111 (A cook's tour of Andalucía) Start preparing for the Farewell Event entertainment.
Tuesday June 26	Spanish Regional Music and Dance; Due: Travel log/Scrap book
Wednesday June 27	45 minutes: Sports in Spain, Health&Fitness Consciousness, Outdoor activities as compared with the USA. Discusion. 45 minutes: Wild Spain: Regional geographical and climactic variations: Ecological concerns: desertification, pollution, urbanization, abandonment of the countryside/villages READ: S. pp. 95-99 (Wildlife) SS. pp123-129 (Wild Andalucía)
Thursday June 28	Spanish Customs & Character: Is there a national Spanish character, the sum of its many traditions? Honor, Pudor, Hombre Público, etc. Or is there only regional character? Andalusion Character: regional peculiarities compared to other regions of Spain: READ: S. pp.71-77 (review) SS. pp.52-67 (The Andalucían Character)
Friday June 29	Quiz 4 (Civil War, Dictatorship, transition to Modern Spain, cuisine, music/dance, sports& outdoor activities, Wild Spain, Spanish customs and character) After quiz Rehearse for Farewell Event. (see syllabus explanation) 5% of your course participation will reflect your performance in the group entertainment. (Quiz #5 will be your performance in the dance class)