Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for SPA 265A archive revision 202104

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Effective Term:
Fall 2021 through Winter 2025

Course Number:
SPA 265A
Course Title:
Spanish Culture
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces Spanish culture through reading, discussion and writing. Explores specific regions and topics (e.g. Spanish film and culture, Spanish food and culture, Spanish Civil War, Autonomous Communities of Spain). Conducted in Spanish or English. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  1. Interpret cultural and social perspectives and contributions as related to the region or topic of focus, based on a deepened understanding of themes such as Spanish history, ecology, society, and politics.

  2. Evaluate social and cultural consequences of human activity as related to the region or topic of focus using critical thinking skills.

  3. Identify culturally-grounded assumptions of one’s own culture and apply a basic understanding of Spanish culture.

  4. Analyze historical and cultural works as related to the region or topic of focus (works include but are not limited to literature, film, art, dance, music, language, philosophy, and religion).

Integrative Learning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to reflect on one’s work or competencies to make connections between course content and lived experience.

General education philosophy statement

This course requires students to focus on Spanish culture and consider the ways in which the experiences of Spanish people have been shaped by factors like history, gender, society, ecology, language and politics. Students must also evaluate relationships between different Spanish cultural products, practices and perspectives. One of the key goals of this course is for students to reflect on their own attitudes, values, and beliefs, and how these affect their perception of products, practices and perspectives in Spanish culture.

Aspirational Goals

  1. Apply cultural understandings learned in class effectively in authentic interactions with members of Spanish society.

  2. Enhance intercultural skills through the practice of self-appraisal and examination of one’s personal beliefs in comparison to the beliefs of others.

Course Activities and Design

  • Regular attendance

  • Assigned readings

  • Research of specific themes individually and/or in groups

  • Discussion in class

  • Presentations individually and/or in groups

  • Written essays assigned outside of class or in-class

  • Written quizzes in-class and/or oral evaluations

  • Optional: Student portfolio

  • Optional: Service Learning activities

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Students will be assessed by any combination of the following:

  • Regular attendance 

  • Active participation in small groups and class discussions

  • Presentations individually and/or in groups

  • Written essays assigned outside of class or in-class

  • Written quizzes in-class and/or oral evaluations

  • Optional: Student portfolio

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

General overview of the following:

  • Concept of culture

  • Cultural identity (contrast of the cultures of the United States of America and Spain)

  • Cultural diversity in Spain

  • Spanish motivations, values, and beliefs

  • Geography and History of Spain

  • Spanish civil war and transition to democracy

  • Modern Spain

  • Spain and the European Community

  • Relationship between Spain and the Americas

  • Choice of folkloric festivities and music

  • Choice of key figures in history, graphic art, architecture, music and Spanish literature