SPAN 232B: Intermediate Spanish II (2012-2013, Semester 2)
Students explore the diverse histories, circumstances, and contributions of Latinos in the U.S. by reading essays, news accounts, short fiction and autobiographies, viewing videos and TV broadcasts. They consolidate their language skills and continue to develop their ability to analyze and communicate in Spanish by writing compositions, making oral presentations, and engaging in interactive group activities. They also review Spanish structures difficult for speakers of English. Prerequisite: Spanish 231 or placement. Offered each semester.
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In this intermediate-level language course, students will continue to develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish by studying the peoples of Hispanic descent living in the United States. Through a variety of readings, we will consider the unique histories of Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other growing populations of Hispanics in the U.S. and discuss the various formulations of identity for Hispanics, in general and for the different subgroups in particular. As we strive to articulate the nature of cultural identity in the United States, we will explore the contributions of different ethnic groups as well as the challenges that cultural differences often provoke. In seeking to express our reactions to and ideas about these complex matters in Spanish, we will work to develop vocabulary and grammatical structures relevant to the cultural content of the course. At the same time, we must bear in mind that language learning is a complex process that involves taking risks and making mistakes. The success of this course depends upon our collective effort to support one another as we seek to convey new ideas and to experiment with the challenges that communicating in a second language naturally entails.