Spanish 210

Viewing the Hispanic Caribbean: Cuba

Dr. Sara E. Cooper

Trinity 150 * 898-5161 * scooper@csuchico.edu

Office Hours

Prerequisites:

SPAN 104A (mandatory)

SPAN 105A or 105B or any literature course in Spanish (suggested)

Nancy Alonso Cerrado por reparación

1. Grades will be assigned as a letter with a numerical value, and there will be no curve. Final grades will be announced after they have been turned in, the week after finals. For any questions about grading *at any time during the semester* please visit office hours.
2. 94-100=A 90-93.4=A- 88-89.4=B+ 84-87.4=B etc.

• You must turn in all ASSIGNED WORK by the date and time specified for complete possible credit. For each day late, 10% will be deducted from total possible credit. In-class activities can not be made up.
• 20% Participation. Both as a method to improve communicative competency and as a way to demonstrate your understanding of the course material, your attendance and participation are vital to your success in this class. An excellent participation grade will reflect that you ask questions, answer questions, contribute actively in-group work, and are well-prepared for the topics covered. Absence or failure to participate will be reflected in your grade. In-class activities such as Quick-Writes count toward the participation grade.
• 15% Group Presentation. Students will work in a group to present a supplementary reading and direct discussion on their presented topic. You should make good use of visuals and have a number of discussion questions prepared for the class. As a general rule, you should present for 10-20 minutes (5 minutes per group member) and then guide a discussion for 15-20 minutes.
• 30% Electronic Analytical Essays (3) Students will write and post on WebCT three essays that analyze the major issues in Cuban culture and cultural production. Essays will be analytical and text-specific, making direct references to the course readings. Essays may refer to the supplemental readings and/or outside research. Each essay should be from 2-3 pages, include a list of works cited, MLA format, double-spaced, one-inch margins, proofread and spell-checked in academic Spanish. The essay topics are:
  • Essay 1: Pre-revolutionary Cuba. What was the social, economic, and political makeup of pre-revolutionary Cuba? How did race relations, class structure, and the relationship between Cuba and the United States add to the tensions of pre-revolutionary Cuba?
  • Essay 2: The Cuban Revolution and Anti-Revolution. What are the ideological concerns of the Cuban Revolution? What issues form the basis of the Anti-revolution? How have these tensions affected the culture and cultural production of "island Cubans" versus "Miami Cubans"?
  • Essay 3: Changing Gender Roles in Cuba. How have expectations around gender and sexuality changed over the years in Cuba? How has the Cuban family adjusted to accomodate revolutionary ideals and necessities?
• 25% Final Research Project. Students will complete a final research project that demonstrates a deep understanding of one of the issues represented in Caribbean (Cuban) cultural production. Although students must incorporate research in this project, the main focus will be the student's own analysis of the issue or work in question. Throughout the semester, the student will be expected to turn in assignments in preparation for the final project; the grades received on the preparatory activities will be averaged with the grade on the final draft of the project. The final written project should be 8-10 pages, include a list of works cited, MLA format, double-spaced, one-inch margins, proofread and spell-checked in academic Spanish. The possible options for this project include:
  • A literary analysis of a Cuban novel, short fiction, film, art work, or poetry.
  • A literary analysis discussing one specific theme in various works of Cuban cultural production.
  • A literary analysis discussing a literary genre or movement, with specific reference to various works of Cuban cultural production.
  • A cultural analysis of one of the principal issues of import in Cuban history or society.
• 10% Oral Presentation of Final Project. Students will come prepared to make a formal and professional presentation of their work and engage in question and answers with their classmates.

ANY PAPER, EXAM, QUIZ, OR OTHER ASSIGNMENT NOT COMPLETED WITHIN THE STATED PARAMETERS OF ACADEMIC HONESTY WILL BE GIVEN ZERO CREDIT. IN ADDITION, THE STUDENT PRACTICING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY OR PLAGIARISM MAY BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE OR FAILED IMMEDIATELY OR FURTHER SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AT THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY LEVEL. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY INCLUDES (BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO) APPROPRIATING WEB ESSAYS OR TRANSLATING PROGRAMS TO COMPLETE ONE’S OWN ESSAYS.