Spanish V: Literature
Essential Questions:
1. What are some themes found in contemporary Latin American literature?
2. What socio-political issues does Latin America face today?
3. What is the current relationship between the United States and Cuba?
4. How do Cubans view the Cuban Revolution?
5. What impact did the Mexican Revolution have on the cultural and political dynamics of the Mexican people?
6. What is the role of women in Latin America as seen in literature?
7. What are my values and beliefs?
8. What is my cultural identity?
9. How are new immigrants assimilated into my culture?
Content:
Literature
Students are exposed to a selection of contemporary Latin American literature.
Students learn literary terms.
Students gain an understanding of Magic Realism as a literary style.
Grammar
Indicative and subjunctive, preterit and imperfect, compound tenses, if clauses, relative pronouns, prepositions.
Culture
Proverbs
Current Hispanic magazines and newspapers
The Mexican Revolution
The Cuban Revolution
Social norms
Immigration
Nationalism and patriotism
Government and politics
Skills and Processes:
1. Analyze, hypothesize and interpret a literary text.
2. Discuss the themes and narrative styles of modern Latin American literature.
3. Engage in a debate.
4. Lead the class discussion by presenting one chapter of Como agua para chocolate.
5. Evaluate information and viewpoints present in authentic resources.
FUNCTIONS
1. Express opinions and concerns
2. Analyze and synthesize
3. Evaluate
4. Critique
5. Elaborate
6. Design and create with language
7. Hypothesize
8. Argue and debate
9. Persuade others
10. Explain a problem
11. Propose solutions
12. Justify and support opinions and interpretations
13. Summarize, interpret and analyze authentic materials and literary works
Assessment:
1. Written interpretative essays.
2. Grammar and vocabulary tests.
3. Participation in the discussion.
4. Leading the class discussion.
5. National Spanish Exam.
6. End of semester conferences.
Resources:
Movies, cultural videos, music, television
Computer software programs
Internet
Multicultural Dimension:
1. Foment an appreciation of contemporary Hispanic literature.
2. Recognize and identity various accents particular to Hispanic countries.
3. Gain an appreciation of the Hispanic world via its culture, literature, and history.