The following are the activities that the residents of the Spanish-speaking floor in Madison Hall organized this semester (Fall 2004):
1. The Weekly Conversation Hour (Las Tertulias): Every Monday at 9:00pm Madison hall holds a Spanish discussion hour open to all students interested in practicing their Spanish language skills. Many professors of Spanish require their students to attend several of the weekly discussion hours every semester. Every week we have hosted groups of 30-40 students who have come to practice their language skills, and learn about Hispanic culture.
- 9/6/2004 --- La Música : To start the semester
we compiled a collection of songs by Spanish and Latin American artists.
We provided printed lyrics to facilitate a discussion on the meaning
of the songs. At this meeting we planned the topics of discussion
for the rest of the semester.
- 9/13/2004 , 9/20/2004 , 9/27/2004 , 10/4/04 . For four consecutive
weeks, students from various Spanish speaking countries shared their
firsthand knowledge and answered questions about their home countries.
Students who attended the discussion hour during these three weeks
saw presentations on the cultures of Uruguay,
Colombia, Cuba,
and Nicaragua. During these weeks, the topic
of discussion also focused on the Basque Country of Spain, home to
Raquel, the Spanish language coordinator at Madison Hall. The Basque
Country's Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism generously
provided Raquel with lots of free printed literature about Basque
culture which we distributed to students who attended these discussions.
- 10/18/04 —We discussed fashion and clothing in Spain.
We compared how fashion plays different roles in the modern societies
of Spain , and the United States. We showed the students web sites
displaying the collections created by Spain 's prominent fashion designers.
- 10/25/04 ---In this discussion students enjoyed comparing the preferences
in spectator sports that are held amongst people of the United
States, Spain, and Latin
America. We distributed information about the history of
Europe 's leading soccer teams and leagues so students could gain
a better understanding of the world's most popular sport.
- 11/1/04 ---We discussed worldwide trends, and preferences
in television. Students enjoyed parodying a typical television
programs in the form of skits, and puppet shows.
- 11/8/04 --- Students who attended this meeting acted out myths
and legends from Latin America.
We discussed the meaning of Latin American myths and legends,
and compared them to Greek mythology, and folklore of the United States.
- 11/15/04 ---Students brought questions about Spanish and
European political processes. Raquel answered questions that
students had about Spain 's electoral process and political parties.
Students who spent time living in Spain shared their firsthand experiences
of learning about the politics of a foreign country. In this meeting
we also answered many questions that students had about independence
movements within the Basque Country.
- 11/29/2004 — We celebrated the end of the semester with a small “fiesta ”. For refreshments we prepared two Spanish omelets so that students could finally sample some typical Spanish cooking. We also provided drinks and deserts. We asked students to contribute ideas and suggestions for more activities next semester.
2 . Other Activities :
- 9/1/2004 ---We set up a booth at the annual club carnival
to generate interest in the weekly conversation hour, and
the Spanish speaking floor.
- 9/24/2004 ---Raquel, and other students from the Spanish speaking
floor, participated in Colores de UMW, the annual
festival held during Hispanic Heritage Month. At Colores de UMW, Students
on our floor contributed to the booths representing Spanish Speaking
countries. We distributed lots of the material that was given to us
by the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Basque
Country. Students living on the Spanish Speaking floor who have participated
in UMW's study abroad program in Bilbao, Spain attended this event
to answer questions for students interested in the program. Dr. Sainz,
Facutly Director of the UMW in Bilbao program also attended and was
available for questions about the program.
- 11/13/2004 ---We organized a day trip to see a
play performed by an Arlington theatre company called Teatro
de la Luna. Teatro de la Luna performs plays by Hispanic playwrights
at Arlington's Gunston Arts Center . All plays are performed
in Spanish with the option of an English translation provided by a
personal radio. A mixture of students who regularly attend the conversation
hour, and students who live on the Spanish Speaking floor attended
this event. We reserved a UMW transport van to provide transportation.
- 11/13/2004 ---We organized a floor dinner with the help of Brooke, the RA on the Spanish Speaking floor. Other students from the German Speaking floor in Madison hall participated as well. We prepared traditional Spanish and German recipes.
Sincerely,
The Spanish Speaking Community, Madison Hall.
Raquel Blave, Spanish Language Coordinator
Joseph Petrusiak, Spanish Language Floor Coordinator
Dr. Jose A. Sainz, Spanish Language Floor Faculty Advisor