Notes regarding credits...

This course consists of 40 hours of instruction. However, students may earn 45 hours by attending supplemental sessions and completing additional coursework. Please check with your home university to find out whether you need 40 or 45 hours to earn course equivalents.

Note: A placement exam will be required when you arrive on site.

High Intermediate

This course is designed for students who have completed or tested out of a minimum of three semesters (or five quarters) of college-level Spanish. However, students must take a placement exam to determine the course level into which they will be able to enroll.

1. Introduction
This class will try to give a general understanding of the country through the geographic study of the natural means, the population, economic activities and regional reality.

2. Program
1. General introduction. Unity and diversity of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain and the European context. Spain and its relation with America and Maghreb.
2. General characteristics of the physical means. The relief. The climate. The waters. The natural vegetation.
3. The Spanish population. Evolution. Natural movements. Geographic distribution.
4. General characteristics of the Spanish economy. Principle elements and factors. The phases of the contemporary economy. The productive sectors. Spain and the European Union.
5. Spanish regional division. Historical antecedents. The constitution of 1978 and the definition of the autonomous model. The Spanish regional map.
6. Atlantic Spain: Galicia. Asturias. Cantabria. The Basque country.
7. The Ebro Valley: The Floral de Leon community. La Rioja. The Aragon community.
8. Mediterranean Spain: Catalonia. The community of Valencia. The Murcia region.
9. The Plateau: the community of Castile- Leon. Community of Castile- La Mancha. Extremadura. Community of Madrid.
10. Autonomous community of Andalusia: physical means. The population. The economic activities. Unity and regional diversity.
11. Insular Spain: Balearic Islands. Canary Islands
12. Cities with special status: Ceuta and Melilla.

3. Evaluation
The evaluation of the student will take into account class attendance and participation. The final exam will consist of a written test in which the student will have to expound on a broad theme or essay. They will be given two questions and the student will choose one. The fulfillment of some kind of specific work over a theme will be voluntary but will serve to adequately complete the final evaluation.

4. Bibliography
1. Basic works for consultation:
-MENDEZ, R. Y MOLINERO, F., Geografía de España, Barcelona, Ariel, 1993.
-TERAN, M. de y otros, Geografía General de España, Barcelona, Ariel, 1986.
-TERAN, M. de y otros, Geografía General de España, Barcelona, Ariel, 1988.
-BIELZA DE ORY, V., Territorio y Sociedad en España, Madrid, Taurus, 1989,
2 vols.
-VARIOS AUTORES, Geografía de España, Barcelons, Planeta, 1992, 10 vols.
-CANO PÉREZ, G. y otros, Geografía de Andalucía, Sevilla, Tartessos, 1991, 7 vols.

2. Other documentation
In function with the progress of the class and the availability of material in the video library of the Center, videos will be shown in 30-minute sessions.