Hoyland: MLO3
MLO 3: Literary and Cultural Knowledge
The student develops a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values,
philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible
and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) — of Hispanic cultures.
The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as
either in language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) in Hispanic literature,
culture or society. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology,
geography, history, political systems), art history, music history, religion or other non-Spanish courses
specific to Hispanic culture or society.
Classes Taken for the MLO:
SPAN 304: Intro to Hispanic Literature
SPAN 316: Span Culture & Civilization
MLO 3 Reflection
I completed both courses toward the Literary and Cultural Knowledge MLO in Fall of 2012. The courses I
completed were Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Spanish Culture and Civilizations. The classes I
completed for this MLO were incredibly interesting and have influenced me to spend more time looking into
aspects of the culture and history of the Spanish Speaking world.
The first course, Hispanic Literature was one of the most challenging courses I have completed as a Spanish
major. In general, I love literature but find analysis and discussion about underlying themes, metaphors, etc. to
be difficult. This challenge multiplied by taking place in a second language. The course mainly focused on the
genres of poetry and short stories. We read several works from each genre from authors around the Spanishspeaking
world and from various writing styles and eras. This course provided students with an overall
introduction to the many works of Spanish literature and made me interested in finding other works from many of
the authors sampled. For the midterm and final, we completed extensive exams with definitions of literary terms,
essay questions, and analysis. I have included the Poetry midterm below.
In Spanish Culture and Civilizations, students were given an in-depth history of the Spain’s origins, geography,
people, and culture. We spent time discussing the different groups that ruled over Spain throughout the centuries,
beginning in prehistoric times. We discussed in depth the Romans and their continuing influence in the country,
the Moors, Basques, Iberos, etc. We discussed many of the different cultural artifacts left behind by each of the
conquering groups, specifically art, architecture styles, scientific advancements, and language influences. In the
end of the semester, each student completed an in-depth research project discussing a piece of Spanish culture
from modern times. My project discussed the history and importance of the attack at Guernica by Franco’s
forces along with the help of Nazi forces. I argued that while many know of Pablo Picasso’s artwork of the same
name, many know nothing of the attack that inspired the work. I have also provided a link to the essay I wrote
about Guernica and the Powerpoint presentation I created for the course below.
Examples:
Guernica Powerpoint
Guernica Essay
Literature Poetry Midterm
The student develops a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values,
philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible
and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) — of Hispanic cultures.
The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as
either in language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) in Hispanic literature,
culture or society. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology,
geography, history, political systems), art history, music history, religion or other non-Spanish courses
specific to Hispanic culture or society.
Classes Taken for the MLO:
SPAN 304: Intro to Hispanic Literature
SPAN 316: Span Culture & Civilization
MLO 3 Reflection
I completed both courses toward the Literary and Cultural Knowledge MLO in Fall of 2012. The courses I
completed were Introduction to Hispanic Literature and Spanish Culture and Civilizations. The classes I
completed for this MLO were incredibly interesting and have influenced me to spend more time looking into
aspects of the culture and history of the Spanish Speaking world.
The first course, Hispanic Literature was one of the most challenging courses I have completed as a Spanish
major. In general, I love literature but find analysis and discussion about underlying themes, metaphors, etc. to
be difficult. This challenge multiplied by taking place in a second language. The course mainly focused on the
genres of poetry and short stories. We read several works from each genre from authors around the Spanishspeaking
world and from various writing styles and eras. This course provided students with an overall
introduction to the many works of Spanish literature and made me interested in finding other works from many of
the authors sampled. For the midterm and final, we completed extensive exams with definitions of literary terms,
essay questions, and analysis. I have included the Poetry midterm below.
In Spanish Culture and Civilizations, students were given an in-depth history of the Spain’s origins, geography,
people, and culture. We spent time discussing the different groups that ruled over Spain throughout the centuries,
beginning in prehistoric times. We discussed in depth the Romans and their continuing influence in the country,
the Moors, Basques, Iberos, etc. We discussed many of the different cultural artifacts left behind by each of the
conquering groups, specifically art, architecture styles, scientific advancements, and language influences. In the
end of the semester, each student completed an in-depth research project discussing a piece of Spanish culture
from modern times. My project discussed the history and importance of the attack at Guernica by Franco’s
forces along with the help of Nazi forces. I argued that while many know of Pablo Picasso’s artwork of the same
name, many know nothing of the attack that inspired the work. I have also provided a link to the essay I wrote
about Guernica and the Powerpoint presentation I created for the course below.
Examples:
Guernica Powerpoint
Guernica Essay
Literature Poetry Midterm