Introduction to the Analysis of Hispanic Texts

Syllabus

Course goals:

As stated in the course description, HS 307 introduces a variety of cultural texts in the Hispanic world as well as some tools designed to work with those texts. It also seeks to develop reading, composition and presentation skills in Spanish.
The course also values and endeavors to develop discussion, listening, and critical thinking skills, and seeks to enhance one's ability to work cooperatively as well as independently.
Finally, the course demands a modest effort to use modern technologies appropriate to current communications and methods of research and presentation in the humanities.

Course requirements:

Daily attendance and full participation:

Attendance is monitored. Three unexcused absences are allowed. More than three will result in a grade being lowered, the amount depending on the number of absences. Since the course will be conducted as a discussion/seminar, careful daily preparation and full participation are required.
Submission of assignments, quizzes, presentations, etc.

The course is based on cooperative learning principles and maintains a fairly rigid schedule. Primarily for these reasons, there will be no make-ups allowed or late assignments accepted. Extraordinary exceptions may be made due to unavoidable and unforeseen events. Please plan ahead. With the exception of quizzes, no handwritten work submitted for a grade will be accepted.
Books and other written materials.

Friedman, Valdivieso and Virgillo. Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica, 4th ed. New York: Random House, 1999.

Other written materials will be made available to the class by the professor and/or student groups.
Written work.

There will be two group projects, presented both orally and in writing.

There will also be a major term project, researched and written individually.
Quizzes and other Exams

There will be frequent quizzes on the readings. There are no comprehensive exams.
Course folder.

Each student should maintain a well-organized folder that contains all written and copied course materials.

Evaluation:

30% — Quizzes
30% — 2 Written/Oral Projects
20% — Individual Term Project
20% — Daily Participation