Spanish and the Community (208-0-1)

Instructors

Julia Oliver Rajan

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 223: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

This course introduces students to service-learning by engaging with Chicago's vibrant Spanish-speaking communities. It explores the U.S. legal system and teaches students how to discuss public health, LGBTQ+ issues, and Latinx experiences. Students examine how culture shapes education, reflect on universal human rights, and discover their potential to drive change. An 8-hour service-learning project allows students to apply their knowledge, assess their contributions, and create meaningful connections with the local community. This experiential approach deepens cultural awareness and equips students to make an impact in their communities while building practical Spanish language skills. Prerequisite: Students must currently be enrolled in or have taken and passed SPANISH 200-0 or SPANISH 200-0, OR have an AP score of 5, OR sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisite: Students must currently be enrolled in or have taken and passed SPANISH 200-0 or SPANISH 200-0, OR have an AP score of 5 on the Spanish & Culture exam, OR sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:
✓ Develop critical thinking about social issues in the local Spanish-speaking communities
✓ Have a strong sense of well-being by helping others
✓ Improve research, writing, and communication skills in Spanish
✓ Expand their civic engagement and cultural proficiency
✓ Become confident and involved leaders in their communities

Class Materials (Required)

Oliver Rajan, Amigos de la comunidad: Curso de aprendizaje-servicio en español (2022) First Edition.
Cognella https://titles.cognella.com/amigos-de-la-comunidad-9781516589043
*Any royalties from Amigos de la comunidad received from Northwestern University will be placed in a fund dedicated to supporting the activities of this experiential course.

Ebook
978-1-5165-8906-7

Paperback + Cognella Active Learning Code
978-1-5165-8905-0

Class Notes

General restrictions
-This seminar is for students with an advanced level of Spanish.
- No P/NP in any courses offered by the Spanish Language Program.
- There is no extra credit policy in the Spanish Language Program.
- Auditing is not allowed.
- Class sessions for this course will occur in person. Individual students will not be granted permission to attend remotely except for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation as determined by AccessibleNU.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration for Majors and Minors in either Spanish or Portuguese until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisite. Prerequisite: Students must currently be enrolled in or have taken and passed SPANISH 200-0 or SPANISH 201-0, OR have an AP score of 5, OR sufficient score on the Spanish Language Placement Exam.