Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for SPA 261C Winter 2025


Course Number:
SPA 261C
Course Title:
Hispanic Culture
Credit Hours:
1
Lecture Hours:
10
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces Hispanic culture through reading, discussion, and writing. Explores specific regions and topics of a single country (e.g. the music and culture of Cuba; culture and religion in the Dominican Republic; or the culture and cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico). Conducted in Spanish or English. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

  1. Begin to interpret cultural and social perspectives and contributions as related to the region or topic of focus, based on a basic understanding of related themes such as Hispanic history, ecology, society and politics.

  2. Use critical thinking skills to demonstrate an emerging understanding of the relationship between the products, practices, and perspectives of the culture(s) studied.

  3. Begin to identify one's own culturally-grounded assumptions and apply a basic understanding of the Hispanic culture(s) of focus.

  4. Begin to 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, religion).

Aspirational Goals

  1. Apply cultural understandings learned in class effectively in authentic interactions with the Hispanic community.

  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

Course Activities:

  • 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

  • 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 any the following:

  • Concept of culture
  • Cultural identity (contrast of the cultures of the specific region and the United States of America)
  • Cultural diversity in the specific region and social hierarchy as it relates to the topic
  • Geography, ecological environments, History, Society and Politics of specific region as it relates to the topic
  • Relationship between the specific region and the United States as it relates to the topic
  • Choice of key figures in history, visual art, music and specified region’s literature