Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
Course Description
Spanish and South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (culture III)
This course studies the evolution of the culture and civilization of South America as seen through its: art, cinema, music, architecture
and literature. The studies are aimed at developing the student’s analysis of poetry, short stories and novels in relation with the
culture of their country and its relevance in the international setting. The thematic structure of this course is composed of the study of
regional literature, avant-garde Latin American poetry, the Latin American boom and the post-boom literature.
The College Board’s curricular requirements:
CR1 The teacher uses the target language almost exclusively in class and encourages students to do likewise.
CR2a-c Instructional materials include a variety of authentic: audio and video recordings; nonliterary texts such as newspaper and magazine
articles; and literary texts.
CR3a-b The course provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in Spoken and Written Interpersonal Communication
in a variety of situations.
CR4a-b The course provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their ability in Interpretive Communication to understand and
synthesize information from a variety of authentic: audio, visual, audiovisual, written and print materials
CR5a-b The course provides opportunities for students to demonstrate their proficiency in Spoken and Written Presentational
Communication.
CR6a-f The course addresses the six thematic units of:
1. Global Challenges 2. Science and Technology 3. Contemporary Life 4. Families and Communities
5. Beauty and Aesthetics 6. Personal and Public Identities
CR7 The course provides opportunities for students to demonstrate an understanding of the products, practices, and perspectives of the
target cultures.
CR8 The course provides opportunities for students to make comparisons between and within languages and cultures.
CR9 The course prepares students to use the target language in real-life settings.
Materials
“Mas que palabras” Difusion, Center of Investigation and Publications of languages S.L. “El espejo enterrado”, Carlos Fuentes , "Galeria
de Arte y Vida Nivel Avanzado" El español de Nosotros
Organization
The course is divided into 40 weeks of study and is based on the works of Graduate students from the University of Chicago, the
University of New York and the University of Salamanca, Spain. These units of study are guided by essential questions and developed
with corresponding cultural elements that are integrated into activities. Readings and assignments will be posted online via
“Ebackpack”.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
1
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
Units of Study
Week 1-2: La conquista Pizarro y los Incas Week 21-22: La pampa y los gauchos
Week 3-4: El Tahuantinsuyo Atahualpa-Huascar Week 23-24: Buenos Aires - la imigracion europea
Week 5-6: El Sur-La Patagonia Week 25-26: Regionalismos en el sur
Week 7-8: La Nuevas Ciudades Week 27-28: Las revoluciones y las dictaduras
Week 9-10: Los indígenas: servidumbre y esclavitud Week 29-30: Colombia – los niños de la guerra
Week 11-12: La religion hibrida Week 31-32: Obra inacabada en Latinoamerica
Week 13-14: Mestizaje Week 33-34: En busca de modelos- Modelos propios
Week 15: La libertad Week 35: La cultura una manera de ser
Week 16-17: Bolivar y San Martin Week 36-37: La inmigracion y los EE.UU
Week 18: Los criollos y la independencia Week 38-39: La influencia del norte en el sur
Week 19-20: La cultura europea en las Americas
Assessment
There are five categories in which the students will be graded. These categories make up 100% of their grade for the year:
a. Weekly Quizzes 20%
b. Projects/Essays 40%
c. Homework 20%
d. Participation 20%
Academic Integrity
It is expected for all students to conduct themselves with integrity. The following are examples of the types of behaviors that are defined as
academic dishonesty and are therefore unacceptable. If the student has committed an act of academic dishonesty they will receive a 0 on the
assignment and will be reported to the appropriate administrators.
-Plagiarism: Presenting as one's own work, the work of another person
-Cheating on quizzes: Giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after an examination.
-Multiple submission and Forgery: Giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after an examination; and imitating another person's
signature on academic or other official documents.
-Sabotage: Destroying, damaging, or stealing of another's work or working materials
-Falsification: Misrepresenting material or fabricating information in an academic exercise or assignment
-Bribery: Offering or giving any article of value or service to an instructor in an attempt to receive a grade or other benefits not legitimately
earned or not available to other students in the class.
Here is a timeline of the outline of the coursework for the units of study. The first week’s activities is provided in detail. All weeks of
study are provided in detail in Spanish, see instructor.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
2
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value Activities
Week LA CONQUISTA PIZARRO Y LOS INCAS The habitants -reflect upon 1a. Students get a map of South America and name each
1-2 Essential Question of the south. the country and its capital. What do you know about the
Do you know who lived in the south The conquest indigenous indigenous group of the south?
before the Spaniards moved in? and its groups of the 1b. Guess the population in each country
Who were the Incas? ramifications. south and the 1c. Students will read “El espejo enterrado- Pizarro and
Who was Pizarro? AP-Theme conquest. Incas”
Global Pizarro’s 4b. At home students will research about Francisco
Resources: Challenges - background Pizarro and the Incas
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes Population and and how this 5a. Why this civilization didn’t use written language?
El lago encantado- Alejandro Sux Demographics changed What are oral traditions? What are the quipus?
Song: Vasija de barro southamerica 5b. Reading “El lago encantado” Students analyze this
Families and forever reading answer the reading comprehension questions.
Evaluation Communities - 5. Evaluation
El Lago encantado Reading Customs and Create a song as an oral tradition element about yourself,
comprehension questions Values incorporated an
Song –oral traditions
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week QUE ES EL TAHUANTINSUYO? The Inca -reflect on the Personal and Public Identities: Heroes and
3-4 Essential Question empire and its biggest empire of Historical Figures- Atahualpa and Huascar
What’s the name of the Largest and demise the America. Global Challenges: Social conscience
most ancient empire in the Americas? A great A civilization is not conquered from without until it
Who were Atahualpa and Huascar? civilization is not has destroyed itself from within How can we apply
Evaluation conquered from this thought to our nation today? What divisions do
Analyze the quote and write an essay without until it you see in your own community?
about the divisions that exist in your has destroyed
community, how this affects your itself from within
community and how can we change this? – Will Durant
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
3
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week EL SUR-LA PATAGONIA -Climate and -reflect upon Global Challenges: Economic Issues; Population and
5-6 Essential Question the topography how the Demographics
Buenos Aires- The inhospitable land of of South environment >Do you know any major physical features in South
the South Do you know the topography of America. The can change and America? What are the Andes? What is the Atacama?
South America? What are the Andes? influence on create Global Challenges: Enviromental Issues
What’s the Patagonia? the challenges to a How is comtemporary life influenced by cultural
Resources: gastronomy population. products, practices and perspectives?
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Rosa Leyes, El indio – Alberto Cortez
El hijo – Horacio Quiroga
Evaluation
Compare and Contrast your environment
in Long Island with the environment of a
South American country and explain in
what why this could affect the culture?
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LAS NUEVAS CIUDADES -Architecture -reflect upon the Beauty and Aesthetics: Architecture
7-8 Essential Question of the new creation of the >How are aspects of identity expressed in the
What was the Gran Colombia? Why so world. The Gran Colombia architecture?
many churches in the capital cities in cities and how -value the
South America they were build architectural
Evaluation richness of major
Investigate sister cities in South cities such as Lima,
America and Spain Quito, Bogota
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
4
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LOS INDIGENAS: SERVIDURMBRE Y ESCLAVITUD Encomienda -reflect on the Personal an Public Identities: National and Ethnic
9-10 Essential Question system vision of the Identities.
What’s the encomienda? established Indigenous >How did encomienda affect the indigenous groups and their
Social classes during the colonial time social and people of the view and selfsteem?
Resources: racial relations Americas >Why was the encomienda established?
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes as the basis for
Walimai – Isabel Allende the economic
¿Quién Sabe? – Jose Santos Chocano and political
order in the
Evaluation Spanish areas
Students will write a journal entry from of the
from the indigineous prospective. Explain Americas
how they feel and how they are treated.
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA RELIGION HIBRIDA Religion is -reflect upon Personal and Public Identities: Personal Beliefs
11-12 Essential Question a the religion >How aspects of identity expresses in various situations
What's a hibrid religion? What's the Inti powerful practices in
Raymi? part of South America Contemporary Life: Social Customs and Values
Resources: culture in >How do cultural products, practices, and prespectives influence
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes Latinamer contemporary life?
Madeinusa – Peruvian Movie ica
Evaluation
If you were to celebrate the winter or
summer solstice, what would you include in
your celebration?
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
5
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week EL MESTIZAJE -lexical history - -value the Contemporary Life: Social customs and values;
13-14 Essential Question of Spanish interbreeding Education and Careers
Does a "pure” race exist in Latinamerica? -interbreeding of humanity >How do societies and individuals define quality of
Resources: of humanity as positive language?
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes and its effect on >How do cultural products, practices, and prespectives
Orillas- Pablo Cesar (Argentinian Movie) language influence contemporary life?
Discurso (Tomás Eloy Martínez)
Evaluation
Students will write a persuasive essay on
how variety and contact with others
enriches the human experience and
language.
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA LIBERTAD Freedom in the -reflect upon Personal and Public Identities: Heroes and Historical
15 Essential Question Americas, how the value of Figures
What’s freedom? What does it mean to the French freedom in the >What social, historical and political issues influence
be free? Are we completely free? Revolution United States. societies thoroughout the world?
Resources: affected the How freedom of
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes Americas press is handled
Declaration of in Latinamerica
Evaluation Rights of Man
Create a presentation about a political and of the
figure that helped with freedom in any Citizen
aspect.
Research about a political prisioner in
Latinamerica
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
6
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week BOLIVAR Y SAN MARTIN Simon Bolivar -Reflect upon Personal and Public Identities: Heroes and Historical
17-16 Essential Question fought over 100 the meaning Figures
Why was Simon Bolivar significant to battles against of a hero. >What social, historical and political issues influence
South America? Why Chavez used his the Spanish How this societies thoroughout the world?
image in his demagoguery. Empire in South meaning has
Resources: America. His changed
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes military through the
El mensajero de San Martin campaigns years. Who
El Libertador (movie) covered twice are our
the territory of everyday
Evaluation Alexander the heros?
Present a heroic scene from the movie Great. His
(skit) army never
Fun facts about the libertador conquered – it
liberated
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LOS CRIOLLOS Y LA INDEPENDENCIA -the dangers of -reflect upon Global Challanges: Economic Issues; Population and
18 Essential Question sterotypes preconceived Demographics
Who were the criollos? How the social notions towards >What social and political issues pose challenges to
caste was part of the skin color? certain societies thoroughout the world?
What’s ethnicities Personal and Public Identities: National and Ethnic
Resources: -value a Identities; Personal Beliefs and Self-Image
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes sterotype as a >How do language and culture influence identity?
sterotype and >How are aspects of identity expressed in various
nothing more situations?
Evaluation
Students will write an essay
persuading how peace and justice can
be constructed with words.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
7
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA CULTURA EUROPEA EN LAS AMERICAS -cultural -reflect on one Families and Communities: Customs and Values;
19-20 Essential Question practices and own’s cultural Family Structure; Social Networking
How the European cultures influenced products of heritage >How do the roles that individual assumes differ in
the Americas? South America -value the different cultures?
The immigration into the Americas culture of
during the colonial time and WWII. others
How the demographics changed in
South America?
Resources:
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Evaluation:
Present a custom or a dish that is
mainly European and now it’s
practiced in South America
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA PAMPA Y LOS GAUCHOS -The South -reflect upon Personal and Public Identities: National and Ethnic
21-22 Essential Question American how the Identities; Personal Beliefs and Self-Image
What’s a pampa or a gaucho? cowboy environment >How does one’s identity develop over time?
Resources: can develop
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes your personal
A Santos Vega payador argentino identity over
(poema) time.
En la estepa – Samantha Schweblin
El sur – Jorge Luis Borges
Evaluation
Compare the gauchos with the
American Cowboy. Write a
comparative essay about these two
figures.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
8
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Semana REGIONALISMOS EN EL SUR -to learn about -reflect upon Families and Communities: Global Citizenship
23-24 Essential Question preeminente the values that >How do individuals contribute to the well being of
What’s a regionalism? Do you have Hispanic pave the way to communities?
regionalism in the United States? historial figures peace and to
Resources: that have been the resolution of
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes awarded the nonviolent
Rata Ratones y Rateros (movie) Nobel Prize resolutions to
El delantal Blanco and the Prince conflicts.
El individualismo- Lectura of Asturia Prize
Evaluation
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA REVOLUCIONES Y LAS DICTADURAS Life under a -reflect upon Global Challenges: Social Wlfare, Social Conscience
25-26-27 Essential Question military ethic and values >What political issues pose challenges to societies
Who was the Che Guevara? Why the dictatorship demonstrated in throughout southamerica?
dictatorship was prevalent in Latinamerica? the movies and
What was the dirty war? readings about How dictarioship created a fear against police in
Resources: living under a latinamerica.
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes military rule
Un dia de estos – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
La casa de los Espiritus- (movie)
La deuda interna- (movie)
Cartas de Amor traicionado (Isabel Allende)
Evaluation
Students will write a persuasive essay
about a democratic government over a
socialist or a government control by a
dictator.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
9
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week COLOMBIA – LOS NIÑOS DE LA GUERRA -War and how --reflect upon Global Challenges: Social Wlfare, Social Conscience
29-30 Essential Question it affects a the nature of >What political issues pose challenges to societies
Can you imagine a country were war is country and human violence throughout southamerica?
going on? How war affects the children the youth
of a nation? Is war unavoidable and a
product of human nature or is it an
avoidable product of human culutre?
Resources:
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Los niños de la guerra - reading
Evaluation
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week OBRA INACABADA EN LATINOAMERICA -Southamerica - reflect upon Global Challenges: Social Wlfare, Social Conscience
31-32-33 Essential Question in the eye of the national >How certain beliefs are copied from one country to
Why there's no stability in South the storm identities based the other in South America?
America? Poverty and it's effect on on the
society inestability of a Why is there a socialist movement throught out the
Resources: continent region?
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Latinoamerica (song)
Evaluation
Exploring the song Latinoamerica from
Calle 13. Read and analyze what the
song says about Latinamerica. What's
Calle 13 protest?
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
10
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA CULTURA UNA MANERA DE SER - view hispanic -reflect upon Beauty and Aesthetics: Visual and Performing Arts
34-35 Essential Question artists. how culture is >How do the arts both reflect and challenge cultural
Can you name an artist or writer from represented in practices?
South America? the arts
Resources:
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Evaluation
Present a writer or a artist from South
America. Explore it's work and teach
the class one of their paintings or
short stories
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA INMIGRACION Y LOS EEUU -reasons for -reflect upon Contemporary Life: Social customs and values;
36-37 Essential Question migration to culture is rep Relationships
Why do people migrate to the EEUU? the EEUU >How do societies and individuals define quality of life?
Resources: >
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes
Pal Norte (Calle 13)
Mojado (Ricardo Arjona)
Entre Nos (Movie)
Evaluation
Students create a poem about arriving
to the United States from the
immigrant's perspective
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
11
Spanish: South American Civilization, Culture and Literature (Culture III)
WEEKLY LESSON Content Reflect/Value College Board AP Overarching Themes:
Week LA INFLUENCIA DEL NORTE EN EL SUR -Influences -reflect upon Personal and Public Identities: Alienation and
38-39 Essential Question from USA to culture diffusion Assimilation
Do you think the USA influences South South America and how the >How language and culture influence identity?
America? Why and How? influence of
others can
Resources: change your
El espejo enterrado – Carlos Fuentes way of life and
A Rossevelt Ruben Dario your way of
thinking
Evaluation
Students will write an essay about who
has ever influenced their lives.
Submitted by Laura Medina
June 15, 2015
12
