Bridging Cultures: Latino Lives and Experiences in NC

SPANISH 313

famworkers walking in trailer park
"Visiting the farm worker camps was one of the most impactful experiences for all of us. Walking around the trailers where they lived in large numbers, seeing the difficult and poor conditions shocked many of us especially given the proximity to which this exists from Duke. It was challenging to take any of it in without being highly self aware of one’s own privilege but still needing to engage in order to learn from them how to help." Axel Herrera-Ramos, SLA (Service-Learning Assistant, Fall 2018)

See a photo essay about the course here.

About Professor Bethzaida Fernandez:

I teach all levels of Spanish with an emphasis on intermediate and advance level courses with core content on health and Latino/a immigration issues. My interests include second-language teaching and learning methodologies, technology in the second language classroom, community-based and service-learning pedagogies, intercultural competence development, Latino/a immigration, Global Heatlh. I direct the Duke in Costa Rica summer abroad program, and coordinate the Intermediate Spanish Language Program (SPAN 203).

About the Course

Exploration of key issues surrounding Latino communities in Durham and beyond, focusing on issues of culture and immigration, health, education, economy. Course includes a minimum of 15 hours of service-learning with a local organization, plus other out-of-class and weekend community trips. Projects promote the development of intercultural competence, as well as facilitate opportunities for building bridges with the local community. Assessment based on knowledge of content, oral and written Spanish, and community engagement. Previous 300-level course is recommended before taking this class. Minimum requirement: Spanish 204 or equivalent.

Notes

Fernandez

Curriculum Codes
  • CCI
  • FL
  • SS
Typically Offered
Fall Only