"HISP 231A Youth and Sociocultural Practices in Latin America Soledad F" by Maria Soledad Forcadell
 

Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Fall 9-1-2024

Course Description

The purpose of this class is to build and expand upon your preexisting knowledge of the Spanish language. Instead of pursuing this goal in a vacuum, we will explore the different ways of thinking about construction of identities and cultural practices, particularly in youth in Latin America. Youth can be understood from diverse disciplinary perspectives, either as a stage of life or as a distinct social group. As a stage, youth represent a period of physical, psychological, and social transition between childhood and adulthood. This phase is associated with the formation and consolidation of identity, emancipation, and entry into the workforce, with the specific age range varying across cultures. As a social group, youth refer to individuals who share certain characteristics shaped by their socio-historical and cultural context. Given the diversity of experiences and conditions that define this period, youth should not be seen as a singular concept but as a plurality of “youths,” each shaped by different socio-historical factors. Latin American region is marked by deep-rooted historical and structural inequalities (Batthyány, 2023; Vommaro, 2019). These disparities are shaped by intersecting economic, environmental, political, ideological, cultural, social, and health-related factors. Within this context, young people navigate social spaces while being influenced by various social markers such as class, gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, and geographic location, all of which impact their opportunities and experiences.

Student Outcomes

1. Clearly express their ideas and the ideas of others to varied audiences in Spanish, both in written and oral contexts 2. Understand and participate in conversations on a wide range of topics, demonstrating the ability to ask and answer questions, share opinions, and engage in discussions. 3. Comprehend and analyze authentic Spanish texts, such as articles, short stories, and literary works, demonstrating improved reading comprehension skills. 4. Write coherent and well-structured compositions and other written assignments in Spanish, showcasing a deeper understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. 5. Demonstrate a solid grasp of intermediate-level Spanish grammar, including verb tenses, sentence structure, and grammatical concepts. 6. Expand their vocabulary and use more advanced language to express themselves accurately and appropriately in different contexts. 7. Gain an understanding of and question the complexity of cultural products, processes, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world 8. Engage with multimedia resources, such online platforms, to further develop listening and comprehension skills. 9. Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret Spanish texts, identifying main ideas, themes, and literary devices. 10. Develop their communicative competence such that they will be able to progress to the next HISP course in the curricular sequence.

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