SPAN 300: Readings in Spanish
Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or placement by examination
Credit Hours: (3)
Practice in the reading of Spanish texts with special attention to the methods of literary analysis.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course is intended for students with a knowledge of Spanish equivalent to the completion of the second year of college Spanish and a good background in grammar. Using selective reading materials from each of the major literary genres and currents in Spain and Latin America, the course seeks to familiarize students with basic methods of literary analysis and with an appraisal of figurative and poetic language.
Contents:
I. Introduction to Narrative
A. Historical Background and Theoretical Concepts
1. Novel
2. Short story
B. Assigned reading selections may include a short novel and several outstanding short stories written by authors from Spain and Latin America.
II. Introduction to Poetry
A. Historical Background and Theoretical Concepts
B. Assigned reading selections may include poems from the medieval literary
period in Spain to modem Spanish and Latin American poetry.
III. Introduction to Drama
A. Historical Background and Theoretical Concepts
B. Assigned reading selections may include a short drama and condensed
selections taken from works of representative authors in Spain and Latin America.
IV. Introduction to Essay
A. Historical Background and Theoretical Concepts
B. Assigned reading selections may include essays written by authors from
several literary periods and currents in Spain and Latin America.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and requires active class participation. Although one third of the contact hours would have to be categorized as “lecture,” about two thirds of class time is devoted to open discussion of selected topics either in groups of three students or in a general class setting. Following a general discussion of the
history, development and aesthetic characteristics of each genre, students are asked to read and analyze representative literary materials. The presentation of each genre follows the same internal organization, beginning with an introduction of the genre in which theoretical concepts are introduced and ending with numerous examples and analysis of representative works.
Students will be required to give an oral report in Spanish on one of the topics assigned and to write one eight-page term paper (or two analytical essays of approximately four to five typewritten pages each) dealing with one of the genres studied in class. The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers is recommended regarding the preparation of all manuscripts.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. Students will be able to recognize and describe literary genres and techniques.
2. Students will be able to briefly trace the historical background of each genre
studied in class.
3. To provide students with the opportunity to acquire some of the technical vocabulary
of the literary critic. Topics of discourse will be analyzed in the contexts of Hispanic
novels, short stories, poems, plays and essays.
4. To develop students’ ability to read and analyze literature and to discuss concrete
and abstract topics in Spanish.
Assessment Measures
Listening, speaking, writing and reading comprehension are tested in class communication activities, presentation of oral reports, written assignments and tests. Students will be required to give an oral report in Spanish on one of the topics assigned and to write one eight-page term paper (or two analytical essays of approximately four to five typewritten pages each) dealing with one of the genres studied in class.
The test format is divided into two parts:
Other Course Information
The course is the first of the Spanish major courses and entrance into the course is controlled by placement examination or by completion of Spanish 202.
Approval and Subsequent Reviews
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2005 Reviewed Philip Sweet