Van Der Kar: MLO4

Secondary Cultural Knowledge

As it is a requirement of the Spanish major to delve not just into the culture, literature, and histories of Hispanic origin, but to branch out and discover details on a secondary culture, this fourth Major Learning Outcome seeks to validate having done so. Through this MLO, I am expected to have developed a basic 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 the second culture.

Listed below are courses I have taken which have contributed to my completion of this MLO:

  • SBS 348: Mayan Culture and Civilization
To prove my achievement of the aforementioned outcome, I can think of no better class that SBS 348 which offered a wholesome view of the characteristics that made up the Mayan culture and civilization. Taught by Dr. Ruben Mendoza, a professor and anthropologist well-versed in the Mayan peoples, this course opened up a world of which I knew very little. From human sacrifice, to life or death ball games, to great pyramids, to intricate irrigation canals, to great understanding of the stars and the heavens, to a culture rich in art and music; the insights I gained of the cultural aspects of the Mayan people left me both astounded and better equipped to deal with the society in which I live today.

  • SPAN 395: History, literature, and culture of Peru
While the country of Peru’s dominant language is Spanish and for that reason this class may be considered to not pertain to a secondary culture, I would argue in that much of the course content dealt with culture and literature which stemmed from native, pre-Hispanic Peru. This course offered a unique perspective of the country in that the professor of the course, Carlos Arrizabalaga, while originally from Spain, has lived and taught for the past 15 years in Peru. For this reason, he was able to teach us from a much more realistic and direct standpoint. Through this course I became familiar with some of the more important literary actors and accomplishments which have come from Peru. I also gained a better understanding of the Incan, amongst other cultures and civilizations native to Peru, and the incredible monuments left behind such as Machu Picchu. With high hopes to visit Peru one day, thanks to this course and its teachings, I feel much more prepared to do so.

Relevant coursework as pertaining to my satisfaction of MLO #4 includes:

SPAN 348

   >Ancient Maya Cities

   >Mayan Art and Architecture

SPAN 395

   >Quinoa essay

   >Review of “El abrazo”