Spanish
317 combines advanced writing instruction and language analysis
with weekly hands-on experiences in the Atlanta Hispanic community.
Students will hone their writing skills through a series of assignments
organized around their experience working with members of the
Hispanic community within the structures of one of several organizations
who have agreed to collaborate with this course. There are opportunities
for work in schools and a support group. The specific student
assignment will be determined based on an interview with the professor
and the needs of the organizations involved. An important theme
in the course is the issue of literacy and how it is defined in
different contexts. The course also includes an in-depth look
at details of Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Students will be
able to distinguish different registers of Spanish and learn to
negotiate various writing styles, improving their writing skills
through the analysis of different types of text in Spanish and
their components, such as themes, idea organization, tone, interest-provoking
strategies, etc. A central part of learning to write well is learning
to edit one’s own work and to rewrite, and this process is
emphasized in the course. A polished portfolio of texts by each
student will be submitted to the respective organizations as a
formal report at the end of the semester. It is important to note
that the course is not solely focused on language skills, but
rather integrates these into a learning and working experience
that is in itself a kind of “text,” which students will
learn to “read” and reflect upon, using different modes
of writing.
Note: This course counts towards the Spanish major and minor.
