Latin American Cultural Classes

With Latin American Cultural Classes, students can learn about the most important cultural aspects of South America through an academic analysis of the region's culture.

The Course

Latin American Cultural classes include 10 hours of individual lessons per week that allow students to discover the culture of Latin America through the analysis and study of art, literature, history, and traditions of the region. This course will focus on the most important cultural aspects related to Latin America in general and Argentina specifically, and students will be able to choose from four different modules which will each focus on a different theme. Due to the academic nature of the classes, they are recommended for students who have a Spanish level of A2 or higher, and the exact content of each module may vary depending on each student's Spanish level.

What to Expect? - The Modules

We have developed four different week-long modules of Latin American Cultural Classes, which are designed to frame the material that students will cover throughout the week. The specific content of each module may differ slightly depending on the student's Spanish level.

• Spanish and Customs
  This module will cover the origins and the evolution of the Spanish language from a linguistic and historical perspective. Students will discuss the language's Latin roots as well as the different varieties of the language found around Latin America today, including the development of slang in Buenos Aires. The course will also include the uses of the language in the lyrics of traditional music from Argentina, such as tango and folklore.
• Art and Architecture
  In this module, students will learn about the most prominent artistic forms and architectural movements of Buenos Aires and of Latin America’s other most important cities. The class will also cover the notable Spanish and French influences found in Latin American art through a discussion of the important ways in which immigration has influences artistic expression in South America.
• History and Literature
  Students will study the most important historical events of Argentina’s recent history (19th century to the present) and their significance for Latin America as a whole. Topics can include the independence movements of the 19th century, the era of dictatorships in the 20th century, and the return to democracy beginning in the 1980s. Students will also analyze the importance of literature during this period and the ways in which historic events affected and shaped literary movements in Latin America.
• Culture and Civilization
  Latin America’s fascinating and unique culture is made up of a rare mixture of indigenous traditions and European influences. This module will cover the important traditions and customs that define this culture, including important celebrations, typical foods and their cultural significance, as well as cultural icons both from history and recent times. This may include a discussion about the significance of mate, asado, and empanadas within Argentine culture and also an analysis of famous personalities such as Fidel Castro, Evita and Juan Perón, and Diego Maradona.