Questions?
Are you a student eager to improve your creative writing and Spanish language skills? Join us for an inspiring study abroad experience in Spain, where you’ll immerse yourself in the vibrant culture that has fueled some of the world’s greatest literary voices. This unique course offers the perfect blend of creative writing workshops and Spanish language instruction, helping you develop your storytelling while deepening your language proficiency. You’ll explore the rich literary history of Spain, visit iconic sites, and draw inspiration from the beautiful landscapes and lively culture around you. Earn academic credit while honing your craft and expanding your linguistic abilities. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to grow as a writer and a global citizen!
At a Glance
| Courses | SPAN 1101: Spanish I OR SPAN 2205: Conversational Spanish ENGL 3394/4494: Creative Writing OR Independent Study |
| Faculty | Dr. Brian McDermott (bmcdermott@piedmont.edu) Dr. Jaydn DeWald (jdewald@piedmont.edu) |
| Dates | May 10-24, 2025 |
| Course category | SPAN 1101 is a GenEd course SPAN 2205 is a major course ENGL 3394/4494 is a major course OR an elective (no pre-requisites) |
| Class eligibility | Completed at least one semester at a university 18 years old or older |
| Language pre-requisite | None |
| Course pre-requisite | SPAN 2205 requires successful completion of SPAN 2202. |
| Cost | $5,880 |
| Included in cost | Tuition for 6 hours of credit Flights Accommodations Excursions 1-2 meals/day |
| Accommodations | Double rooms anticipated |
| Activity level | Moderate, anticipate a lot of walking |
| Program capacity | 20 students |
| Deadlines | 12/31: Initial interest form 12/31: Deposit due ($500) 3/31: Remaining fee due ($5,380) |
Course Descriptions
SPAN 1101: Spanish I (Dr. McDermott)
Involvement at the elementary level in spoken and written use of Spanish through class experience and language laboratory. Introduction to the peoples and cultures of Spain and Spanish America.
Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:
Speaking: Novice-Mid
1. Communicate using a number of isolated words and memorized phrases.
2. Use vocabulary sufficient for handling simple, elementary needs and expressing basic courtesies.
Listening: Novice-Mid
1. Understand some learned utterances, particularly where context strongly supports understanding and speech is clearly audible.
2. Comprehend words and phrases from simple questions, statements, and high-frequency commands about topics that refer to basic personal information or the immediate physical setting.
Reading: Novice-Mid
1. Recognize the symbols of the syllabic writing system and a limited number of characters in a system that uses characters.
2. Identify an increasing number of highly contextualized words and phrases including cognates and borrowed words.
Writing: Novice-Low
1. Students can reproduce from memory a very limited number of isolated words or familiar phrases, but errors are to be expected.
2. Students are able to copy or transcribe familiar words or phrases.
Culture:
1. Students will be able to integrate their knowledge of the Spanish language, cultures and customs to appropriately address the differences of multilingual communities.
2. Students will develop a basic knowledge and understanding of Latin American and Spanish cultures. Make connections to other disciplines and to additional bodies of knowledge that may be unavailable to the monolingual speaker.
3. Students will compare and contrast their native language with the Spanish language. Students will develop insight into the nature of language and the concept of culture and realize that there are multiple ways of viewing the world.
ENGL 3394: Creative Writing (Dr. DeWald)
Study of the various techniques for writing fiction.
Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:
1. Discuss peer work in a thoughtful, honest, and empathic manner.
2. Analyze literary texts in order to question, investigate, and draw conclusions about their form, content, patterns, and interpretive ambiguities.
3. Employ a variety of creative devices in the careful construction of original stories and creative prose.
4. Demonstrate a working knowledge of critical concepts and basic theoretical terminology.
Itinerary
Two-week Spanish Civil War trip rough itinerary
- Days 1-4: Madrid: We’ll begin our journey in Madrid, the heart of Spain and a key battleground during the Civil War. Madrid’s role in the war was critical, as it endured a prolonged siege by Franco’s forces.
- Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen): This controversial monument was built by Franco's regime and initially served as his tomb. It’s crucial for understanding Spain’s struggle with historical memory and reconciliation.
- Museo Reina Sofia: Students will see Guernica by Picasso, a powerful depiction of the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica. The painting symbolizes the suffering caused by the Civil War.
- Barrio de Malasaña and University City: These neighborhoods were key resistance zones during the Siege of Madrid, offering on-the-ground exploration of the battle’s impact.
- Days 5-7: Logroño (La Universidad de La Rioja): Our next stop is Logroño, where we’ll visit La Universidad de La Rioja. This stop provides students with an academic connection and insight into how the war affected the northern regions.
- Guest Lecture on the Civil War in Northern Spain: We'll arrange a session on the regional impact of the war, especially the political and social tensions that played out in this part of the country.
- Explore the Basque influence: As we drive towards Logroño, we’ll visit nearby regions in the Basque Country, which experienced heavy nationalist and republican divisions during the war. Pamplona or nearby towns offer context on regional resistance to Franco’s regime.
- Days 8-10: Salamanca: Salamanca, a Francoist stronghold during the Civil War, will be our next major stop. This city was the administrative capital for part of Franco’s forces during the conflict.
- Plaza Mayor and Historic District: The city center will provide insight into how Franco's government operated from Salamanca, making it a key center of power.
- University of Salamanca: We’ll explore the intellectual resistance, including the famous confrontation between philosopher Miguel de Unamuno and Francoist generals, where Unamuno’s “You will win, but you will not convince” speech became legendary.
- Casa Lis Museum: While known for its Art Deco collection, this museum will help students understand the cultural climate of Spain in the early 20th century, which shaped the divisions that led to the war.
- Days 11-14: Extremadura: We’ll conclude our trip in Extremadura, a region deeply affected by the Civil War, particularly in terms of brutal repression by Franco’s forces. It will give students a chance to reflect on the human toll of the war.
- Mérida: As one of the first cities to fall to Franco’s forces, Mérida provides a strong example of the war’s impact on rural Spain. We’ll explore both its Roman history and the Civil War’s consequences here.
- Badajoz: The Massacre of Badajoz will be a key focus here. After Franco’s troops seized the city, thousands of civilians were killed. Visiting the site will allow students to grasp the war’s brutality and the long-term effects on local populations.
This route provides a comprehensive exploration of key Civil War sites across Spain, from the heart of the conflict in Madrid to regions like Salamanca and Extremadura, which experienced significant repression. Each stop is carefully chosen to provide students with historical context while deepening their understanding of the Civil War’s legacy in contemporary Spain.
Next Steps
- AUGUST
- Talk to your Piedmont Advisors about your circumstances
- Your Academic Advisor can make sure you are taking classes that keep you on track to graduate.
- Career Services will give you advice about how to make the most of your experience. Travel study is a great way to build employable skills and begin to fill up your resume. Having a plan before you leave is the best way to get the most out of the experience.
- Financial Aid can verify whether your financial aid package can be applied to the faculty-led courses.
- Apply for a passport
- At times it can take 6-8 months for your passport application to be processed, so apply early.
- If you already have a passport, check to make sure that it does not expire within 6 months of your RETURN date. You may not be allowed into the host country by immigration officials if it expires in less than 6 months.
- Talk to your Piedmont Advisors about your circumstances
- OCTOBER
- Complete an initial interest form
- The sooner you let us know your interest, the better. Deadline for initial interest form is December 31st. Completing this form does not obligate you to participate.
- Complete an initial interest form
- DECEMBER
- Pay deposit ($500)
- Deadline for the deposit is December 31st. This deposit is non-refundable, unless the trip is cancelled or there are extenuating circumstances preventing a student from participating.
- Pay deposit ($500)
- FEBRUARY
- Pay remaining travel study fee
- Deadline for fee is March 1st. The fee is non-refundable, unless the trip is cancelled or there are extenuating circumstances preventing a student from participating.
- Attend required orientation seminar (dates TBA)
- An orientation seminar for all students traveling abroad will be offered during February. The seminar will cover logistical concerns (university paperwork, passports, travel health insurance, etc.), safety while traveling and will prepare you to get the most out of your travel study experience.
- Pay remaining travel study fee