Advanced Spanish Conversation through Cinema

This course is designed for Spanish instructors or Spanish-speaking people who would like to improve their reading, listening and oral skills in Spanish.  Hispanic films will be used as springboards for discussion and learning about Hispanic cultural issues.  By using well-known films, participants will hear Spanish as it is spoken in different countries and in a wide variety of situations.  Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interesting conversations regarding the social and cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries around the world.  This course will also provide an opportunity to comprehend the Hispanic community in the United States.

This class will meet for seven sessions (see dates and times below).  Each session will focus on one Hispanic film followed by conversations regarding the issues presented in the film.  These films have been carefully chosen to provide an opportunity to hear different accents and approach diverse dimensions of Hispanic culture.  All of the films in this course present a wide variety of themes, genres, and cultural experiences and will allow the attendant to improve their conversational skills and their knowledge of Hispanic culture.

Participants may register for individual sessions at a rate of $25.00 each OR register for ALL 7 sessions at the reduced rate of $150.00.  See information given below.

All sessions will meet in Pelham at the Continuing Education site for the University of Montevallo located at 2790 Pelham Parkway.  Click on "Directions" in the menu to get directions to this facility.

Session #1

Topic:  Jews in Mexico in the XX Century

Date:                       Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172A (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

Novia Que Te Vea (1994) Two Mexican Jewish girls come of age in Mexico City during the 1960s.  (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Topic:  El Salvador and Liberation Theology

Date:                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172B (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

Romero (1989)  The life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero who opposed, at great personal risk, the tyrannical repression in El Salvador.  (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Session #3

Topic:  Dominican Republic and Dictatorship

Date:                       Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172C (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

En el Tiempo de las Mariposas  (2001)  In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government.  (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Session #4

Topic:  Mexico City and Poverty

Date:                       Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172D (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

De la Calle  (2001)  A young man takes a wrong turn down the lost highway of criminal delinquency in this powerful drama from Mexico.  (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Session #5

Topic:  Chile and Political Unrest

Date:                       Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172E (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

Machuca  (2004)  Two boys observe a political coup in their native Chile.. (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Session #6

Topic:  Cuba, Revolution, and Homosexuality

Date:                       Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172F (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

Fresa y Chocolate  (1994)  A man finds that friendship and understanding can span many boundaries -- age, politics, and gender preference among them -- in this comedy-drama from Cuba. (Written by IMDb Editors.)

Session #7

Topic:  Mexico City and Corruption

Date:                       Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Time:                       6:00 - 9:00 pm

Instructor:                Leonor Vázquez-González, Ph.D.

Course Number:    18172G (for this session ONLY)

Cost:                        $25.00 (for this session ONLY)

Todo el Poder  (2000)  Gabriel (Demian Bichir) is a filmmaker in Mexico City, where he is a victim of crime and violence sometimes even three times a day.  This is a black comedy that shows the extreme situation Mexico City is leaving as far as crime is concerned, and the tension the city and its inhabitants live day after day. (Written by IMDb Editors.)

To register for ALL 7 sessions and take advantage of the special discount, register for Course # 18172.

The cost for all 7 sessions is $150.00.

See you at the movies!