2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES101skills. Upon successful completion of the course (a grade ofC or better), the student may take SPAN 212. Prerequisite:SPAN 112 or equivalent. Required lab. Offered each fall.212 Intermediate Spanish II (3) (C)For the student who has attained the SPAN 211 oral andwritten proficiency (three college semesters). Extensiveoral-aural practice prepares the student for upper-levelcourses as well as travel or study abroad. Required lab.Prerequisite: SPAN 211 (with a grade of C or better) orproficiency as determined by the instructor. Offered eachspring.213 Modern Mexico (3)(Winter Session)A travel course focusing on contemporary Mexicanculture. The class will visit museums and important culturalsites in order to examine Mexico’s main ancient civilizationsand the most representative periods of its history.Complementary selected literary readings and filmsillustrate relative issues defining Modern Mexico. Studentsgain an insight into the idiosyncrasies of this nation’speoples based on a close examination of ancient andmodern religious beliefs and rituals, social attitudes, andideological tendencies reflecting the values of mostMexicans today. Offered in selected Winter Sessions.220/320 Comparative Politics:Latin America (3)Identical to POLS 220/320.265 U.S. Latino Culture (3)Studies the Latino phenomenon in the U.S. as peculiarto a diaspora strongly united by language and adherence toa common cultural legacy. Emphasis is given to social issuessuch as labor, health, and education, as well as to theunderstanding of diversity within the Latino community,the acculturation process, and the overall impact ofthe Latino minority in U.S. society today. Taught inEnglish, primarily for the Adult Studies Program. Offeredon demand.270 Latin American Music and Dance (3) (A)(Winter Session)Covers the history of dance beginning in ancientEurope and the Middle East and ends with the history ofdance in Latin America, particularly that of thedevelopment of dance in the Hispanic society, and it alsostudies the importance of Latin music and dance in LatinAmerica and the U.S. In the practical portion of this coursestudents have the opportunity to learn a variety of Latindances such as salsa, merengue, and bachata, which havebecome very popular in contemporary American society.This course is taught in English and does not fulfill theForeign Language requirement. Offered in selected WinterSessions.305 Advanced Conversation &Composition I (3)(C)Gives emphasis to reading for comprehension and thearticulation of ideas in Spanish. It is also an introduction toSpanish Civilization and Culture through the readings anddiscussion of selections on this subject. Prerequisite: SPAN212 and consent. Offered every year.306 Advanced Conversation &Composition II (3)(C)An introduction to Spanish literature through theanalysis of carefully chosen short stories written by modernLatin American and Peninsular writers. This course givesemphasis to writing and speaking skills in Spanish andprepares the student for upper-level Spanish literature andcivilization courses. Prerequisite: SPAN 305 or consent.Offered every year.310 Post-Franco Spain (3)Examines Spain’s transition to democracy after the endof Franco’s regime in 1975. Discussion and analysis ofcontemporary authors like Antonio Munoz Molina, RosaMontero, Paloma Diaz-Mas, Eduardo Mendoza, ManuelVazquez Montalban, and Arturo Perez Reverte illustratevarious aspects of Spain’s postmodern revolution. Thisstudy of Spain’s modernization process includes discussionof some relevant films by contemporary directors such asPedro Almodovar, Carlos Saura, and Luis Berlanga.Intended for Spanish majors and minors. Prerequisite:SPAN 306 or consent. Offered intermittently.311 Survey of Spanish Literature I: Spain (3)The most important works of Spanish prose and poetryfrom the end of the Middle Ages to the present are studiedagainst the cultural background. This course offers anintroduction to Spanish civilization as well as Spanishliterature. Prerequisite: SPAN 306 or consent. Offeredalternate years or on demand.312 Survey of Spanish Literature II:Latin America (3)The most important works of Spanish American prose,poetry and essay from the Conquest to the present arestudied against the cultural background. This course offersan introduction to Latin American civilization as well asLatin American literature. Prerequisite: SPAN 306 orconsent. Offered alternate years or on demand.316 Survey of Spanish Poetry (3)A survey of the major types of Peninsular Spanish poetryfrom El Cid to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 212.Offered on demand.317 Civilization of Spanish Peoples I: Spain (3)Provides the opportunity to learn about Spain, itspeoples and civilization through the study of its history andsome major works of literature, art and music. Ideaspresented in class are reinforced through films andPowerPoint presentations. Prerequisite: SPAN 306 orconsent. Offered alternate years.