Spanish and Social Meaning

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this graduate seminar, students are invited to analyze the ways in which predominant discourses surrounding speakers of Spanish are closely intertwined with attitudes towards these speakers and these speakers’ linguistic choices. Concepts such as awareness, control, and stance will be addressed. A strong focus will be put on connecting theoretical tools to social patterns, with emphasis on current and local discourses. A key component of the seminar is engaging students in a hands-on research project with data elicited from the Spanish-speaking communities in the DC Metropolitan area.