Spanish Immersion
Programs
Spanish
for beginners: Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4. The program
for beginners focuses primarily on verbal expression, vocabulary
expansion and listening skills. This approach is supplemented
by work on reading texts for information, writing and basic
grammar. We recommend that students follow between four
to six hours of this course on a daily basis. Beginners
can also enroll in supplementary courses Conversation I
and Mexican Culture, the latter being the only content course
taught in English.
Intermediate
Spanish: Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8. The focus in these
programs is on developing the grammatical competence needed
to maintain both informal conversation and more formal communication,
as well as developing sufficient vocabulary for reading
and writing purposes. Students who on placement testing
demonstrate sufficient competence to study at Level 7 and
beyond may also enroll in a variety of supplementary content
courses.
Electives
These courses are available
for those who demonstrate ability to understand spoken Spanish
to an advanced level (levels 7 and up). The courses vary
according to the time of year students are attending classes.
A group can be started according to demand if there is a
minimum of five students. Some of the courses available
are the following:
Advanced
Spanish: Levels 9 and 10. Advanced classes concentrate
on total mastery of the language, including reading excerpts
from literature, the writing of essays and enhancement of
oral expression. Advanced students can enroll in any supplementary
or content courses, according to their needs.
Contemporary
Mexican literature: This course first consider modern
works such as asYañez' "Al filo del agua"
and "Pedro Paramo" by Rulfo, and then looks at
outstanding authors of the present day such as Laura Esquivel
and her novel "Like water for chocolate". general
history of Mexico I (up to 1872) This course will give a
general history of pre-hispanic and colonial Mexico, as
well as Mexico after independence, seen from the point of
view of history, society, economics and politics
*A
general history of Mexico II (contemporary) This
course will look at Mexico from the age of Porfirio Diaz
(1872-1911), focusing on the principal changes in the country's
economic, political and social structure during the twentieth
century.
*The
history of relations between Mexico and the United States
This course traces the history of Mexico and the United
States, observing over time not only the changing relationship,
but also the need of both nations to maintain mutual respect,
despite the considerable commercial, political, territorial
and social problems that have arisen since 1825.
*Latin
American literature The course covers the most representative
writers, such as Benedetti, Guimaraes, Jorge de Lima, Cardenal,
Lezanma and writers who have made outstanding contributions
to literature.
*Hispanic
American literature This covers the most distinguished
modern writers, such as Garcia Marquez, Vargas Llosa, Borges,
Guillen and many other classic writers.
*Economic
and political history of Mexico (1880-1994) This
course aims to give the student a global view of Mexico's
recent economic and political history.
*Economic
and political history of Latin America The evolution
of Latin American states is traced from the period of independence
to the present day. Focus is given to the development of
an inter-American system and the most significant events,
political, economic, social and cultural, that have determined
international relations.
*The
Mexican political system The historic development
of the political system is analyzed against the changing
background of the country's social and economic structure,
with emphasis on the current transition towards democracy,
as well as the role played by forces that influence this
change of political regime.
*Mexico
and international trade This course gives students
insights into the risks and opportunities afforded to Mexico
by the opening up of international markets. It reviews the
history of commerce in Mexico and looks at the implications
for the current commercial scene.
*International
trade The content of this course is the significance
of foreign trade, basic exports and imports, and models
for international negotiation. It affords the student a
glimpse of trans-cultural cooperation and mutual understanding
Mexican culture The student is given a historical tour from
pre-hispanic times to the present day, with focus on significant
examples of Mexican culture, including its traditions, art,
architecture, music and folklore.
*History
of Mexican art A historical tour of Mexican art from
pre-hispanic times, through the colonial period, the nineteenth
century, muralism and the principle artistic trends of the
twentieth century.
*Mexican
civilization and culture The development of the modern
nation Students following this course will receive a panoramic
view of the various stages through which Mexican civilization
has passed from indigenous cultures to the modern state.
*Pre-hispanic
cultures, society and myth The course describes a
number of pre-hispanic cultures and attempts to present
the indigenous world-view, through an analysis of their
myths.
*Mass
media in Mexico An examination of current models
of mass media in Mexico, especially radio, television and
the press.
*Mexican
cinema This course analyses the history of Mexican
films against the social and political background of the
country.
*Mexican
culture This is the only course taught entirely in
English. It is intended to help students gain insight into
their experience of living in Mexico by focusing attention
on the most relevant cultural aspects.
|
