SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I

In this course students will gain proficiency in the skillful use of the language and will be able to refine the necessary tools to engage native speakers in fluid and spontaneous conversation. Students will also be able to maintain a complex argumentation and produce detailed texts on a wide range of subjects. In addition, this course emphasizes a language-in-use perspective. Students will develop their language skills and intercultural competence by means of research projects (‘field studies’), written assignments, oral projects, and critical reading and viewing of advanced materials.

Research has demonstrated that study abroad can enhance every aspect of language ability. One of the most important general findings of this research is, however, that study abroad is most beneficial for the development of abilities related to social interaction. Students who go abroad can learn to do things with words, such as requesting, apologizing, or offering compliments, and they may also learn to interpret situations calling on such speech acts in ways that local people do. In short, and logically, study abroad has been shown to enhance the aspects of communicative competence that are most difficult to foster in classroom settings.

This course engages in depth with the IES Abroad Sustainable Living and Human Wellbeing Pillars. Through periodic discussions and activities in class, students will be able to reflect on different aspects of Diversity in Hispanic countries, Climate Change, and Responsible Journalism. Writing assignments and oral presentations throughout the course will also aim to develop a better understanding of these issues, having students research about sustainable ideas and inclusive traditions taking place in Spain. Finally, Sp351 also engages with the IES Abroad Equitable Living Pillar. Students will participate in field studies where they will be asked to observe and analyze aspects of social integration in different neighborhoods of Barcelona.

NOTE: This course is offered during the regular semester and in the summer. For summer sections, the course schedule is condensed, but the content, learning outcomes, and contact hours are the same.