Course Description

This 300-level conversation course develops communicative competencies in Spanish through the critical analysis of Spanish and Latin American films. Centered on themes of social justice, the curriculum addresses issues such as economic inequality, undocumented migration, gender oppression, racism, and the marginalization of Black and Indigenous communities throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Students engage in dynamic, discussion-based learning, with sessions divided evenly among in-class conversations, instructor-guided teletandem exchanges in a computer lab, and student-initiated off-campus interactions. This blended structure fosters both linguistic immersion and transcultural engagement.

A central feature of the course is a virtual exchange with EFL students in Mexico, designed to support reciprocal language learning and intercultural dialogue. To scaffold success, students use bilingual, film-specific vocabulary lists that equip them to discuss complex social themes with clarity and nuance.

While the vocabulary is intentionally rigorous, many terms have English cognates. These thematically rich and contextually grounded word banks help students deepen their critical engagement and articulate sophisticated perspectives.

By integrating film, language, social justice, and virtual exchange, this course cultivates global citizenship, intercultural competence, and analytical skills. Through meaningful connections with peer learners abroad, students not only improve their Spanish but also grow as reflective, responsible participants in a global society.