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.
There are two pathways by which this outcome can be fulfilled:
There are two pathways by which this outcome can be fulfilled:
- Pathway 1: 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.
- Pathway 2: With prior approval and guidance from WLC faculty, the student may opt for a more individual pathway. He or she may choose to independently study, research and analyze four of the following areas as they are reflected in the civilization or national culture of the language chosen to study: architecture, dance, dress, fiction, healing processes, high art, issues of gender and racial equity, music, national history, poetry, political systems, popular art, religious beliefs, theatre.
MLO Narrative
In the Spanish major at CSU Monterey Bay we are required to complete and meet a few major learning requirements before we can be done with our studies and receive our degree. In this particular requirement MLO 3 we are required develop a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking such as ideas, beliefs, values, etc. the behavioral practices and the cultural products of the Hispanic culture. The requirement can be accomplished by following either pathway 1 or 2. In my case I chose to do pathway 1 for the reason that my emphasis is on language and linguistics and I am only required to take two courses to satisfy this requirement. The two classes that I took in order to complete this major learning requirement were SPAN 309 (Hist & Polit of Latin Amer) and SPAN 308 (Hist/Cult Aztlan). SPAN 309 focused on the study of study Latin American history focusing on the development of political and social structures since the independence movements of the 19th century. It also emphasized on the Latin phenomenon as caudillismo, indigenismo, the Church and liberation theology, and the revolutionary movements in the 20th century. As for SPAN 308 it covered the story of indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States: Aztlan, the Spanish colonial period, the Mexican period, and the acquisition and settlement by the United States. This class seeks the exposition of indigenous and Hispanic historical and cultural foundations of the region and the confluence with other Asian and European influences. Both classes helped me get a better understanding of the Hispanic culture from both Latin America and Mexico. In both classes we were required to read two books that focused on different perspectives of the Hispanic culture. Through the different assignments, projects and tests I was able to clearly demonstrate my accomplishments and cultural knowledge gained while taking those two classes. One of the things that I found challenging while trying to complete this MLO was the fact that I had to take cultural classes which is something that I am not very interested in.
Please click on the link below to learn more about the course(s) and assignments that met the requirement (MLO)