The seminar format of this class allows for a flexible and engaging curriculum. Our study of the Spanish language is supplemented by Spanish and Latin American works of literature. A third-level grammar workbook builds upon the base of Spanish that students have learned in previous courses at Regina. Presentations, class discussion, and field trips provide the students with the opportunity to apply their Spanish.

Texts: Approximaciones a la literatura hisanoamericana; Espanol Esencial 3, La Casa en Mango Street

Sections of the course:

· Basic review of Spanish language. Review exam.

· Selecciones del la obra de Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quijote de la Mancha.

· Short Composition, Identidad.

· Geografía y resumen de situacion económica, política y social del continente latinamericano. Presentaciones en parejas de un país en particular. (PowerPoint)

· Poema "Vivir sin vivir en mí," Santa Teresa de Jesús. Comprensión y discusión de la paradoja en la literatura.

· Selecciones de Lazarillo de Tormes, autor anónimo. Paired presentations of individual chapters follow our study of the work in its Spanish medieval context.

· Primer episodio de telenovelas (1 de 3).

· Large quiz on grammar topics included in telenovela dialogues and on verb tense review.

· Debate: Traer opiniones escritas sobre los candidatos politicos de la elecciones de 2008 de los Estados Unidos, y sus posiciones en asuntos Hispanicos.

· “Poema 20”, Pablo Neruda.

· El cuento corto "Casa Tomada" por Julio Cortázar (Annotated). Overview of mid-twentieth century Latin American literature.

· Segundo episodio de telenovelas.

· Second large quiz on grammar topics included in telenovela dialogues.

· La Casa en Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros (Long Section). Composition (2 pages)

End Semester 1

· Drama: "La Casa de Bernarda Alba"

· Jorge Luis Borges’ short essay "Borges y yo" in class; write your own "_______ y yo" essay.

· Último epidosio de telenovelas (videotaped).

**There will be a cumulative final exam at the end of both semesters covering grammar, literature, and cultural material studied.