Foreign Languages
oreign language study at Buxton enables students to hone their understanding of the subtle and complex relations among the world’s peoples. In the course of this effort, we present opportunities to foster an appreciation of cultural and literary traditions and increase awareness of both historical and current issues facing the countries and societies in which the target language is spoken.
In the beginning courses, topics are divided into short segments and the focus is on basic skills and vocabulary acquisition. At the higher levels, students concentrate on understanding and expressing complex ideas while continuing to study grammar and to increase their use of idiomatic expressions. Group projects encourage students to learn from each other and to understand that they have a personal responsibility for contributing to the class effort. Extracurricular arts activities such as performing songs in a second language, the creation and production of foreign language videos and plays, and the presentation of creative writing are strongly encouraged.
As a class we will define Mexican Nationalism and its characteristics. This definition will happen as we navigate through the aesthetics of Mexican Nationalism. We will use readings, music, videos, photography, and other mediums to critique and pick apart Mexican Nationalism. We’ll also see the creation of this identity as we move through different time periods–focusing on the culture before the Mexican Revolution of the 20th century and afterwards. Then, we’ll jump to the later part of the twentieth century and to the present. Cultural phenomena we might look into are Mexican folkloric dance; Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera; the muralist movement; to Vicente Fernandez and the telenovela.
Español Avanzado- El Mito del Nacionalismo Mexicano
Juntos como clase vamos a definir qué es el nacionalismo Mexicano y cuales son sus características. Vamos a llegar a una definición a través de las estéticas del nacionalismo mexicano. Utilizando las lecturas, música, videos, fotografía, y otros medios para criticar y analizar este nacionalismo. Además aprenderemos sobre la creación de la identidad mexicana por medio de diferentes periodos históricos, enfocándonos en la cultura antes de la Revolución Mexicana del siglo 20 y después. Otros fenómenos culturales que podríamos investigar son la danza folklórica, Frida Kahlo y Diego Rivera, el movimiento muralista, Vicente Fernandez y la telenovela. Tendremos proyectos durante el transcurso del semestre, como ensayos y quizás una presentación.
Introduce beginning students to basic reading, writing, and listening skills using a variety of methodologies. Emphasis is also placed on discovering the richness and diversity of Hispanic culture. These courses are designed to provide the students with basic and intermediate grammar so that they can engage in conversation about daily life in different speaking styles, to develop a general knowledge about Spanish culture, and to introduce students to Hispanic literary texts from both sides of the Atlantic.
The course relies heavily on the workbook Revista as a resource for grammar review, reading comprehension and composition skills. Occasional presentations and projects allow the students to focus on those aspects of the history and culture of the hispanophone world that they find of particular, personal interest. Frequent use of multi-media supports oral and audio skills. Language immersion is fairly constant at this level.
Centers around the book Cinema for Spanish Conversation. This text uses contemporary Spanish-language films to inspire dialogue and encourage investigation into some of the most pressing themes confronting Spain and Latin America. Some of the topics studied include immigration, revolution, dictatorship, gender roles, and family. The films are often screened without subtitles, and class discussions are also conducted primarily in Spanish. Careful attention is still paid to grammar and vocabulary building in this course.
Continues to inform the grammatical sensibilities of the students, delving at last into the finer nuances and quirks of the language. The course is centered around the discussion and analysis of contemporary literary works by Spanish and Latin American authors. Composition and oral proficiency are heavily emphasized, through in-class essays, research papers, presentations and group projects. This course is conducted completely in Spanish.