Seminar in Spain: Cultural Encounters

3 units

The Spanish, Latinos, and non-hispanic North American vis-vis the Other. Designed to study the historical and ideological bases of attitudes and mutual perceptions that inform these three cultures' understanding of each other. Analysis of literary and extra-literary representations of the three identities in question will teach students to think critically about the cultural, religious, and political foundations of intercultural perceptions. Washington University students' experiences living in Spain will provide a context for them to examine their own attitudes about hispanidad, as well as to learn about their own cultures (American, latino) as they are understood from abroad. Study of theoretical concepts of identity, ethnicity, minority, gender, culture, and intercultural communication will enable students to participate in practical discussions based on observation and experience with an objective, critical understanding of how they perceive and are perceived by others. Fulfills 400-level literature course requirement for the Spanish major. Prereq: Span 307D, Span 308E and two 300-level literature surveys or the equivalent in Spanish. Course taught in Madrid, Spain, through the Washington University Madrid Program.