SATA Seville, Spain 2006

Focus on Transatlantic Orientalisms

Courses | Excursions | Pre-departure Plans | Accommodations | Requirements

About the Program
SATA Spain Sevilla 2006, led by Professor of Hispanic Studies and department chair Julia Kushigian, will take place through collaboration with Dr. Daniel García, Ph.D. University of Maryland, Director of IUS, International University Studies, a program with which Connecticut College has had a long and fruitful history in educating its students in Spanish about Spain, Spanish culture, language and history, and Spain’s role in the European Union.

The focus of this first SATA Spain Sevilla initiative will be on Transatlantic Orientalisms. Professor Kushigian wrote a book on the subject, led a successful TRIP Spain with Connecticut College students in 2000, and has numerous times taught the course at the 300 and 400 level.

Conducting a SATA in Seville capitalizes on CC students’ renewed interest in Europe and Spain’s cultural and political role as a rising economic partner and cultural power. The IUS center is centrally located within walking distance of the Cathedral of Seville and Giralda tower, and the University of Seville. Seville is not only a historic landmark of cultural significance to Andalucía and Spain in general, it is a safe and clean city that offers both cultural and social activities for CC students.

The IUS academic calendar coincides with CC, which will allow the small group of 12 students to take advantage of the January language orientation session conducted by IUS. The students and Professor Kushigian will be there to spend the Christian Holy Week in one of the most splendid sites in Spain, and enjoy Seville’s Fair, a special week of celebration, not to mention spring-like weather during most of the semester.

Courses
The IUS curriculum offers courses in Spanish ranging from language development and composition to coursework reflecting the undergraduate, interdisciplinary based experience.
Students will take up to two courses with Professor Kushigian, SPA 493b Transatlantic Orientalisms, and either SPA 305 Old World/New World Tradition and Innovation in Early Latin American Literature, or SPA 208, Introduction to Literary Analysis, depending on student oral and written proficiency levels, as well as the needs of IUS.

SPA 493b: Students explore the influence of the Jewish and Arab peoples on Spain and the New World from the Middle Ages, focusing on Spanish law, literary works and architecture, to its contemporary concerns of religion, immigration, social justice and terrorism.

SPA 305 This course explores the relationship of Europe to Latin America, beginning with works of the earliest explorers and conquerors that sailed from ports not far from our study site. The legal documents, letters, chronicles, diaries of the New World written by representatives of Spain from Columbus to Cortez, Father Las Casas and Sepúlveda will contrast with the voices of the New World of Sor Juana or those of the indigenous in a reverse view of the conquest.

Students may also take two courses with IUS staff, who also teach at the University of Seville, one of Spain’s most respected universities. IUS also permits students to take one course at the University of Seville, a short distance from the IUS site. In addition, IUS offers courses that complement Kushigian’s courses, such as Arab Art in Spain (one of the finest art museums dedicated to Arab art is located in Seville), the History of Spain from the Medieval Period, and Spanish Civilization.

Students will sign a pledge to speak Spanish only unless they are taking courses in English at IUS or the University of Seville.

All courses at IUS are in Spanish except for 101-102, 329 (Workshop in Translation), EDUC 385 (Teaching Modern Languages), where Spanish and English are used in class. Credits for the courses will transfer back to Connecticut College.

Excursions
Field trips coordinate with study in this multicultural course and include Toledo, for its famed Jewish temples, statues to Jewish philosophers and doctors, and museums; Madrid, for the Roman baths and world- renowned museums; Córdoba, for the incomparable Moorish Mezquita (Mosque) and temples; and Granada for the unsurpassed red fortress, palace and gardens of the Alhambra.

The group will explore as much of Seville and the surrounding area as possible, including the ports from which Spanish voyages embarked for the New World.

Pre-departure Plans
At least two pre-departure meetings will be held for students about medical and legal considerations and students’ expectations and cultural differences before traveling to Spain and pon reentry into the United States.

Professor Kushigian offers a breadth of experience in Spain as an undergraduate and graduate student and as a professor and scholar, has immense knowledge of Spanish culture and history and expertise in administering international programs such as the Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts and the Hispanic Studies TRIP to Spain, 2000.

Students will be encouraged to read Spanish newspapers online before departure and be given Web sites to consult as soon as they are accepted for the SATA program.

Accommodations
Professor Kushigian recommends that all students live with Spanish families. IUS provides accommodations, food and laundry service in addition to health insurance for CC students while in Spain. Many of the instructors and administrative personnel have lived and studied in the US.

Requirements
Students must have a working knowledge of everyday Spanish, at the SPA 103 level. Beginning language students (101-102) would not be eligible because their language skills would not be sufficient to perform in content-based courses and IUS has limited intermediate courses. It is important for the students to be able to communicate in Spanish successfully in order to carry out their projects and benefit from the experience.

Students will produce a web page with the faculty about their experience and perspectives of their SATA Spain 2006, that includes the best images of the trip and more importantly, the results of the final presentation of their research completed while in Spain. The final presentation, a short, five-page essay, analyzes the discoveries made through research and individual, cultural experience in the framework of the linkages established among disciplines abroad.

For more information on SATA Spain 2006, contact Shirley Parson or Professor Kushigian.