Spanish Culture & Civilization - Office of International Affairs ...

Education Abroad Program Info Sheet
Spanish Culture & Civilization: Ruins, Art, Architecture & Traditions
Term: Summer 2013
Courses: 8 credits total
SPAN 330: Peninsular Culture and Civilization
o 4 credits – Required Course
o Taught by Laura Mulas
SPAN 399: Third Year Spanish: Language and Grammar
o 4 credits -- Required Course
o Optional only for those students who have already completed 3 rd year Spanish
o Taught by Laura Mulas
Program Dates: July 4 - August 3, 2013 (Does not include travel days.)
Application Deadline: Monday, March 11, 2013 | [Deadline may be extended if necessary.]
Program Leader:
Laura Mulas teaches 1 st – 3 rd year Spanish at both Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College. Her
research interests include: cultural and historical studies in the Castilla y León region and Literature from the Golden
Age of Spain. She has travelled in and explored the region frequently. Laura avidly researches the history and culture
by remaining connected with educators, historians and art restorers of the region. The Mulas family is native of
Zamora, Spain therefore Laura is a Spanish national.
Program Description:
“In Spain, the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world.”
- Federico Garcia Lorca
Modern day Spanish culture results from an intricate interweaving of histories. Iberians, Celts, Visigoths, Romans
and Moors have occupied the Iberian Peninsula, which is shared between Portugal and Spain. Each of these
peoples has influenced the language, the religion, the food, the art and the architecture of this proud and storied
land. This course introduces students to the heart of Spain and Spanish culture through an exploration of the
wind-swept plains and cities of the region of Castilla y Leon (the Castle and the Lion). Our exploration will be
centered in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Salamanca. Salamanca, first inhabited in pre-Roman times, is
home to the third oldest western university. The University of Salamanca continues to this day as a vibrant and
multi-cultural academic center and ensures that Salamanca is a lively and interesting town to base our stay in. Our
journey will begin with an investigation of the prehistoric culture of the Iberian Peninsula, examining some of the
worlds earliest human remains, artwork and tools as found in the active archeological site at Atapuerca. We will
proceed to follow the scattered traces left by the earliest Spaniards-- the Iberians and the Celts. Finally we will visit
the grander remains left by the Romans and the African invaders known as the Moors. Native scholars will be our
guides as we learn about Spain from its prehistory through to its medieval era. We will travel the region to visit
Celtic dolmens, Roman aqueducts, Visigoth villages, Gothic cathedrals and medieval castles.
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Students will stay in the city of Salamanca, whose historic center has important Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish,
Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Free time is built into the schedule to allow participants to explore presentday
Spain, through its food, its festivals, its sports, and its friendly peoples. The program integrates aspects of
Spanish literature, art, architecture and language as we explore the politics, culture and civilization of Spain. Come
and share this journey with us, an exploration of an ancient, multi-layered and still vibrant culture.
Salamanca’s small size belies the important role it has played in Spanish history. Situated in the southwestern
corner of the province of Castilla y Leon, on a flat granite-plain, the city was first settled by Celtic and Iberian
tribes. Its most enduring symbol (found even on the ancient coat-of-arms) is its Roman bridge. The city was
subsequently held and influenced by Visigoths, Moors and finally Spanish-Christians. The University of Salamanca
was founded in 1134. Today it is the third oldest university in continuous operation in Europe, and is a leading
center of Spanish-language education. As a result, Salamanca is home to a lively and diverse student body. The city
is home to numerous architectural treasures, from its ancient Roman walls to its golden-age palaces, from its
Romanic churches to its baroque Plaza Mayor, the center of the city's vibrant nightlife. Salamentinos, Spaniards
and international students make up a fascinating mix of peoples, socializing and partaking in a vibrant example of
Spanish life. The city’s location also lends itself to tourism in the nearby cities of Segovia, Avila and Madrid.
The objective of this course is to expose students to Spanish culture through an exploration of history, literature,
architecture, art and traditions. At the end of this course the student will be able to:
Identify the main historical factors that contributed to contemporary Spanish culture
Identify specific contributions to Spanish culture made by the varied peoples that have historically
occupied the Iberian Peninsula
Course Information:
SPAN 330 Peninsular Culture and Civilization 4 credits
*SPAN 399 Third Year Spanish: Language and Grammar 4 credits
*Important Note: SPAN 399- Third year Spanish: Language and Grammar is required for students who have not
completed third year Spanish.
Program Dates:
Please renew or apply for your passport now! [Unless your passport does not expire before Feb 3, 2014]
This program includes some course meetings prior to departure
The international component runs: July 4—August 3, 2013
Draft Itinerary:
After arriving in Burgos we will meet as a group in the evening to have dinner and discuss the program. The following
day will be spent visiting Atapuerca and on Day 3 we will tour Burgos and discuss important sites. The following day
en route to Salamanca we will discuss further details of the program as well as visits some important sites along our
way. Classroom time is built in to each week to include instruction, discussions and in class writings related to our
studies/explorations/discoveries. There will be "in vivo" studies that will occur in Burgos, Salamanca, Zamora,
Segovia and Ávila, which, will entail a mixture of lecture, touring, and self guided explorations. All sites, architecture,
and art that we explore will follow a specific timeline with discussion of its emergence and characteristics. Typically on
our exploration days we will lunch together and evenings will be free.
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Participants will be expected to explore the city we are in and experience daily life in their free time. They are required to
attend at least one (per week) cultural event, festival, tour or any like activity that lends its way to experiencing culture.
Each event will be documented in their journal as a reflection entry and will be presented in our group meetings. Every
weekend will be entirely free and may include some optional extracurricular activities (at an extra cost).
The information offered below is provided to give students a general sense of the program structure and activities. As with any
international travel of this nature, participants should expect that program itineraries and activities may change during the course of
the program in response to local conditions and needs.
Day Date Tentative Schedule
Day 0 Depart Portland for Spain
Day 1 Thurs, July 4
Arrival: students responsible for train or bus to Burgos, meet briefly to introduce
course, afternoon free/meet for dinner
Day 2 Fri, July 5 Pre-roman (earliest humans--Neolithic and iron age), Field trip to Burgos- Atapuerca
Day 3 Sat, July 6
Day 4 Sun, July 7
Day 5 Mon, July 8
Day 6 Tue, July 9
Day 7 Wed, July 10
Day 8 Thur, July 11
Day 9 Fri, July 12
Day 10 Sat, July 13 Free day.
Day 11 Sun, July 14 Free day.
Morning tour of Burgos, Guided and educational tours -"El Cid" sites, birthplace,
burial site, Santo Domingo de Silos= birthplace of Spanish
Morning departure via bus to Salamanca with stops along the way: Clunia, Baños de
Valdearados, Lunch in Valladolid
Afternoon and evening free in Salamanca
Morning class (9-11am): The early beginnings of Spain.
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class.
Afternoon self-guided tour of Salamanca using the given seek and find assignment
Morning: Language Class & Afternoon Exploration: Early history; Continue discussion of El Cid
Evening Free
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Site visits in Salamanca (4-6pm): Roman Bridge over Tormes
Morning: Language Class & Afternoon Explorations related to History & Culture of Spain
Evening Free
Day trip to Segovia: Roman aqueduct, Moorish related sites, Jewish synagogue
(Language class en route)
Day 12 Mon, July 15
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Site visits in Salamanca (4-6pm)
Day 13 Tue, July 16 Day field trip to Ávila: Medieval wall, Gothic, Sta. Teresa-related sites
Day 14 Wed, July 17
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Day 15 Thur, July 18 Site visits in Salamanca (4-6pm): Related to history
Day 16 Fri, July 19 Salamanca related activities- TBA
Day 17 Sat, July 20 Free day.
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Day 18 Sun, July 21 Free day.
Day 19 Mon, July 22
Day 20 Tue, July 23
Day 21 Wed, July 24
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Site visits in Salamanca (4-6pm): Related to history
Morning Language class & Afternoon exploration of sites related to History & Culture
Site visits in Salamanca: Cathedral
Evening --see play La Celestina
Day trip to Zamora: Romenesque city, Plaza de Viriatus, Trail & tour sites of El Cid
Evening-See Cerco de Zamora
Day 22 Thur, July 25
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Morning Language class
Day 23 Fri, July 26
Afternoon site visits related to:
History & Culture of Spain
Lazarillo de Tormes
Day 24 Sat, July 27 Free day.
Day 25 Sun, July 28 Free day.
Day 26 Mon, July 29
Day 27 Tue, July 30
Morning visit to Universidad de Salamanca
Afternoon- Language Class
Morning class (9-11am): History & Culture of Spain
Afternoon class (12-2pm): Language class
Site visits in Salamanca (4-6pm)
Day 28 Wed, July 31 Day trip to Zamora—Museo Etnográfico de Castilla León, Fresco restoration project visit
Day 29 Thur, August 1 Salamanca activities TBD
Day 30 Fri, August 2
Meet to discuss program, close up class, and turn in journals or blogs.
Celebration: Spanish style lunch.
Day 31 Sat, August 3 Program Ends – Depart from homestays
Pre-requisites/Qualifications:
Open to sophomores, junior and seniors from all majors
GPA 2.75
Spanish language study strongly preferred. Preference will be given to those studying Spanish.
Accessibility:
Portland State University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities.
There will be walking in the countryside that could include hilly terrain. There will also be walking throughout
towns at times climbing roman stairways, medieval castles without the aid of handrails and cobble stoned or
other types of uneven walkways. There will be exposure to sun and heat. Castilla-León is very hot in the
summer, for this reason we will tend to do our excursions in the morning to early afternoon. Fortunately the
northern section of Castilla-León is significantly cooler than the southern portion. Participates will need to bring
water and dress appropriately for these excursion days.
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Costs:
Tuition: for this 8-credit program is: $ 800 – $ 1,250 (depending on enrollment).
Estimated Program fee: Students will pay a program fee that includes: direct program costs, accommodations,
group transportation, some entrance fees, mandatory overseas health insurance, and a study abroad fee. The
program fee is estimated to be between $4,300 - $4,600 (depending on enrollment) and final confirmed costs.
Not included: Roundtrip airfare, meals, personal expenses (e.g., incidentals and souvenirs), individual
local transportation (e.g., taxis), and optional immunizations. Students should budget at least an additional
$2,800 (approximately $1,600 for airfare and about $1,200 for other costs including personal expenses).
Financial Aid: Most forms of financial aid apply. After the student group is confirmed, the Office of
Education Abroad prepares a study abroad financial aid budget. The budget includes all program costs as
well as estimates of student out-of-pocket expenses. PSU’s Financial Aid Office then uses that
information to recalculate students’ cost of attendance for the given term(s). Actual increases or decreases
in students’ financial aid awards will vary according to each student’s individual financial aid package.
Payment Schedule:
Timely payment of all program costs is a requisite condition for participation in the program. Portland State
University reserves the right to cancel participation of students not in compliance.
Application Deadline: Monday, March 11, 2013
$50 application fee, by check or money order payable to Portland State University, due at the time of
application
Acceptance notifications will be sent via e-mail. If accepted, students must notify Education Abroad via
e-mail of their intent to participate within one week. A $200 non-refundable program deposit will be
charged to the student's account, which must be paid within two weeks after it has been assessed. The
remaining program fee will billed to your PSU student account several weeks before departure.
Acceptance forms and paperwork are due back to Education Abroad within 2 weeks of acceptance.
Refund Policy:
Student withdrawals must be received in writing by the Office of Education Abroad. Verbal notifications are
not acceptable.
1. Application fees and program deposits are non-refundable.
2. Two weeks after formal acceptance, the program will begin to make program deposits and payments on
students’ behalf. Until April 1, 2013, only uncommitted portions of the program fee can be refunded.
3. After April 15, 2013, no refunds on the program fee can be made.
For Course Content Related Information, please contact
Laura Mulas, mulas@pdx.edu
For Cost, Travel, Scholarship, & Application Information, please contact
Giustina Pelosi, Faculty-Led Programs Advisor, gpelosi@pdx.edu, 503-725-5346
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Application Instructions
Course: Spanish Culture & Civilization
Quarter: Summer 2013
Program Dates: July 4 – August 3, 2013 | Application Deadline: Monday, March 11, 2013
(Not including travel days)
Application Components:
1) Passport: If you do not already have one, please apply for yours now if you want to participate in this program.
We now require that all participants provide a copy of their passport at least 40 days prior to program start date.
2) Online application: Please complete all information and statement of purpose. We need ALL of it.
a) Statement of Purpose: Please write 2 short paragraphs on each of the three topics/questions and
enter into the textbox fields where prompted on the online application.
3) Transcripts: (Unofficial transcripts preferred.) Upload transcripts in online application where prompted.
[If you have trouble uploading transcripts, please submit printed version and send to Education Abroad – ATTN: Sean Wilson]
a) All Students: Include transcripts for all courses taken at Portland State.
b) Undergraduate Transfer Students: Submit transcripts from your prior institutions for your last 90
credits of coursework attempted.
4) References: One letter of reference is required from ALL applicants. Please give the confidential
reference forms provided in the Downloads section of the online application to someone who can
objectively evaluate you. The reference should be from an instructor not associated with this program;
however references from former instructors, an employer, youth leader, advisor, or counselor will also suffice.
Do not use peers or family friends as reference. *Please Note: The reference form is to be submitted only
by the referee, not the applicant.
5) Interviews:
a) Undergraduate Students: required to complete an in-person study abroad interview with an Education
Abroad Advisor. Interviews will be scheduled after completed applications are received.
6) Application Fee: All students pay $50. Please check appropriate box on the online application to
indicate if we are billing your student account or if you are paying by check or money order. If you
are paying by check or money order, deliver to ATTN: Sean Wilson, PSU Office of International
Affairs/Education Abroad, East Hall, 632 SW Hall Street on the PSU campus. If sending by mail, please mail
to: PSU Education Abroad, P.O. Box 751 – OIA, Portland, OR 97207, ATTN: Sean Wilson.
Application Process: Once your application is complete, you will be notified when and with whom to arrange
an appointment for an interview. You will not be considered applied until ALL sections of the application are
completed. DO NOT leave fields blank in the application form; all information fields in the form are necessary
and relevant. A decision on your application will not be issued until all of the above components are received
and your interview is completed (if interviewed). Instructor approval is required and the final decision for
acceptance will be made by the instructor AFTER you have completed your personal interview.
Questions? Please call the PSU Education Abroad, Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator at: 503-725-5309.
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