Department of Foreign Languages
Students are responsible for downloading, printing, and bringing
this syllabus to class at the beginning of the semester
FALL 2005
I.
SPANISH 4434/01: Topics in Language, Literature, and Culture: Aspects of Latin American
Culture Through Film
II.
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Ernesto Pierre Silva
OFFICE: PI 140; HOURS: Wed. & Thr.:12-1 PM, and by appointment
E-MAIL: esilva@kennesaw.edu
III.
CLASS MEETINGS: MW 5:00-6:15 PM; LOCATION: Burruss-114
IV.
TEXTS:
TITLE: Tradición y modernidad en el cine de América Latina
AUTHOR: Paulo Antonio Paranaguá
BOOK: Paperback, 301 pages
PUBLISHER: Fondo de cultura económica USA [May 1, 2003]
ISBN: 8437505526
TITLE: The Cinema of Latin America
AUTHOR: Alberto Elena, Marina Díaz López
SERIES: 24 Frames
BOOK: Paperback, 288 pages
PUBLISHER: Wallflower Press [March 3, 2004]
ISBN: 1903364833
TITLE: El espejo enterrado
AUTHOR: Carlos Fuentes
SERIES: Taurus Bolsillo
BOOK: Paperback, 573 pages
Publisher: Aguilar, Altea, Taurus, Alfaguara, S.A. de C. [January 1, 1998]
ISBN: 9681903951
V.
SCHEDULE: [Subject to change if necessary]
August 22-24
August 29-31
September 5
September 7 -12
September 14-19
September 21
September 26-28
October 3-5
October 10-12
October 17-19
October 24-26
Fuentes, Intro., I
Fuentes, II, III, IV
No Class-Labor Day
FILM: Cabeza de vaca
Fuentes, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII
MID TERM
FILM: Los olvidados
Elena/Díaz López, Preface, Intro.
Elena/Díaz López, 05
Paranagua, Preámbulo, 7, 10
FILM: La historia oficial
October 31
November 2-7
November 9
November 14-16
November 21
November 23
November 28–30
December 5-7
December 14
Elena/Díaz López, 18
FILM: Amores perros
FILM: Amores perros
Elena/Díaz López, 23
FILM: María Full of Grace
Fall Brake-NO CLASS
FILM: Diarios de motocicleta
FILM: Diarios de motocicleta
FINAL EXAM, 5-7 PM; FINAL ESSAY DUE
NOTICE: LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY: Friday, October 14, 2005.
WARNING: Failure to take the final exam at the time, date, and place scheduled will result in a
final grade of “F.” Exceptions to this policy must be requested in writing by the student,
endorsed in writing by the instructor, and approved, in writing, by Department Chair. Requests
must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of the last day of class.
VI.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: SPAN 4434. Topics in Language, Literature, and Culture. Prerequisite:
SPAN 3304 and SPAN 3305. An exploration of a period, movement or genre in literature, a topic
in culture or language related issue. Topics are chosen for their significance and impact on
Hispanic cultures. Course Taught in Spanish.
VII.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION: Through the use of specific films and readings, this course aims at
providing the student with a more thorough appreciation for Hispanic culture. Emphasis will be
placed on underlying artistic tendencies that can be said to represent outstanding cultural
characteristics on Hispanic culture. All class discussions will be conducted in Spanish.
VIII.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:
1. Students are expected to attend all classes. The maximum number of absences is 2. All
absences, excused or unexcused, will be counted as absences. Each additional absence over
the maximum will result in your final grade being lowered by FOUR points. If you must be
absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment was for that day and
to turn your homework in on time. Should you be absent, find out what transpired in class by
contacting a classmate:
NAME: ________________________; PHONE: _____________________; E-MAIL: ______________
NAME: ________________________; PHONE: _____________________; E-MAIL: ______________
2. Classes will start on time. If for some reason you find it necessary to arrive late, you will be
responsible for all information, including announcements changes in the syllabus, etc. Any
behavior deemed disruptive by the instructor will result in your being asked to leave class at
once. Such an event will be counted as an unexcused absence, and the student may be referred
to
the
Dean
of
Students
for
further
disciplinary
action.
[http://www.kennesaw.edu/judiciary/code.conduct.shtml]
3. Class time will be used to develop all four basic skills [listening comprehension, speaking,
reading comprehension, and writing]. There is also an essential cultural component. However,
special emphasis will be placed on speaking; thus, you must be willing to participate in
class discussion. You are expected to study and practice what you learn at home as part of
your daily preparation. For best results, you should study Spanish at least one hour daily.
4. All assignments, whether written or oral, are to be finished individually before the class
begins. No late homework will be accepted. No make-ups of any kind will be given for any
assignments or exams. Emergencies will be handled on an individual basis. There will be no
“extra-credit.”
IX.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the
Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate of Graduate Catalogs. Section II of
the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including
provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal,
retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer
facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged
academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University
Judiciary Program, which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member,
resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to
the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement.
X.
DISABILITY POLICY: Kennesaw State University provides program accessibility and reasonable
accommodations for persons identified as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A number of services are available to
help disabled. Students must visit the Office of Disabled Student Support Services [770/4236443] and arrange an individual assistance plan. In some cases, certification of disability is
required.
XI.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will contribute to the attainment of the following
general [GSLO] and specific [SSLO] student learning outcomes of the B.A. in Modern Language
& Culture [ML&C]:
GSLO ML&C 1: Language, Linguistics, & Comparisons
Learners are proficient in using the target language, are familiar with the target language
system, and seek opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge. [Knowledge,
Skills, Attitudes]
SSLO ML&C 1.a.: Demonstrating Language Proficiency.
Learners demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the target language, and they seek
opportunities to strengthen their proficiency. [Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes]
To address this outcome, learners will improve their speaking skills by participating in
ongoing in-class discussions about pertinent topics dealing with societal issues in Spanishspeaking countries. Upon completion of the major in Modern Language & Culture, learners are
expected to have achieved an Advanced-Low level on the ACTFL scale.
Assessment: a final presentation based on topics discussed and developed by each student
with the aid of the Internet, a feature film, and personal interviews with the instructor.
To address this outcome, learners will improve their listening skills by participating in
different activities during the semester where they will be required to understand oral
presentations given by different speakers during presentations, as well as by listening to the
instructor and a the dialogues from a Spanish film.
Assessment: communicative activities will afford the student ample opportunity to interact
with one other, by both listening and speaking.
SSLO ML&C 1.b.: Understanding Linguistics.
Learners know the linguistic elements of the target-language system, recognize the changing
nature of language, and accommodate for gaps in their own knowledge of the target-language
system by learning on their own. [Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes]
To address this outcome, learners will engage in a variety of thought-provoking readings
selections organized around four thematic units. Each unit includes a vocabulary section, highly
used Spanish words, false cognates, and creates situations to use those words in paired, small
and big group discussions, where students are expected to participate and develop
understanding of the culture, the language and their awareness of Hispanic cultures and their
own grows.
Assessment: a the onset of each class meeting the instructor will introduce the topics for
discussion, so students can express their ideas as best they can and without interference.
XII.
FINAL GRADE:
Two Exams [25 points each]
Final Essay
Participation/Homework
TOTAL
XIII.
50
30
20
____
100
GRADE SCALE:
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
90-100%
80–89%
70–79%
60–69%
0–59%
XIV.
CAVEAT SPECTATOR: The films and reading materials used in this course are part of the
current curriculum on representations of Hispanic culture on film. However, they may contain
images, information, ideas, etc. that may be offensive to your personal beliefs or taste. If you
think it is possible that you may be offended by any of the materials in this course, you should
consider enrolling in a different course. If you have any concerns and/or questions, please see
you instructor ASAP.
XV.
ADDITIONAL VIDEO RESOURCES:
The Buried Mirror, vol. 1, by Carlos Fuentes
Reflections on Spain and the New World: The Virgin and the Bull [1991]
The Buried Mirror, vol. 2, by Carlos Fuentes
Reflections on Spain and the New World: Conflict of the Gods [1991]
The Buried Mirror, vol. 3, by Carlos Fuentes
Reflections on Spain and the New World: The Age of Gold [1991]
The Buried Mirror, vol. 4, by Carlos Fuentes
Reflections on Spain and the New World: The Price of Freedom [1991]
The Buried Mirror, vol. 5, by Carlos Fuentes
Reflections on Spain and the New World: Unfinished Business [1991]