SPAN 216: Living on the Edge: Identities in Motion in Argentina and Uruguay Argentina and Uruguay

SPAN 216 (4 credits)

Living on the Edge: Identities in Motion in Argentina and Uruguay

4 weeks in Argentina and Uruguay

Professor Seth Michelson

Conducted in Spanish in Argentina and Uruguay, this course comprises a study of Argentine culture, language, and identity. Students will live in Buenos Aires with Spanish-speaking families while pursuing coursework on identity in local, national, and international contexts. More specifically, the coursework hinges on lively in-class discussions of assigned readings in the literature, politics, economics, and history of the region, with that coursework being continuously enriched by pertinent site visits to museums, plazas, tango houses, law centers, Chinatown, a literary press, soccer venues, and more. During the final week the group will travel to Uruguay to study transnational spaces influencing the creation and transformation of identities, including a nineteenth-century meat market and a former political prison turned upscale mall. To reflect on the readings, excursions, and cultural events, students will maintain a daily journal in Spanish. Conducted in Spanish in Argentina and Uruguay, this course comprises a study of Argentine culture, language, and identity. Students will live in Buenos Aires with Spanish-speaking families while pursuing coursework on identity in local, national, and international contexts.

Pre-requisite: SPAN 162 or 164 or equivalent.

Program Fee (paid to W&L): $2,790. This includes accommodation (homestays in Buenos Aires), breakfast and dinner with host families (except Saturday dinners), site visits and cultural events (including transportation), Uruguay trip.

Estimated Other Expenses: $2,200. This is an estimate for round trip airfare to Argentina, curios, lunches, Saturday dinners, books.

For further details, please contact Professor Michelson at michelsons@wlu.edu.