This course is designed to advance oral communication skills in Spanish and develop intercultural competence by discussing a variety of current issues in the Hispanic and contemporary world. Through interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational activities, students will collaborate with their peers to effectively convey ideas and opinions based on authentic materials, i.e., short films and texts created by and for native speakers of the target language.
- Master basic idiomatic expressions, acquire a more sophisticated vocabulary and reinforce the use of certain grammar structures.
- Better understand speeches in different accents, linguistic registers, and cultural contexts of Spanish.
- Identify and interpret the basic elements of visual, audiovisual, and written texts, and critically discuss competing views on a subject.
- Formulate similarities and differences between Spanish-speaking products, practices, and perspectives, and those of students’ own cultures.
- Express, support, explain and defend or contradict an opinion with respect.
- Survey, interview, consult different sources of information and present findings either orally or in writing.
Revista: Conversación sin barreras (6th. Edition) by Vista Higher Learning. (Digital access only)
Preparation and Homework 20%
Participation 24%
Oral Exams 16%
TalkAbroad Conversations 12%
Oral Presentation 10%
Final Project 18%
As conversation is essential in this course, class attendance is mandatory and therefore will be monitored in Canvas. Three (3) unexcused absences will be allowed without penalty. From the fourth absence on, one (1) point per each absence will be deducted from the final grade. Exceptions to this rule apply only in the case of official Georgia Tech events, religious holidays, illness, and personal emergencies. The student must submit relevant documentation to the Office of the Dean of Students within one week and email the excuse letter to the instructor. Three (3) tardies or early departures equal one (1) unexcused absence.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence