Spanish culture midterm notes

Unit 1 - Cultural Competence Terms

Iceberg Concept of Culture:
Culture is like an iceberg, with visible aspects (such as food, language, dress) above the surface, and deeper, more implicit elements (values, beliefs, norms) hidden beneath.

Intercultural Competence:
The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from other cultures. This includes understanding cultural differences and developing sensitivity and respect.

Multiculturalism:
A societal approach that recognizes and promotes the presence of multiple cultures within a community, encouraging coexistence and respect for diversity.

Prejudice:
A preconceived opinion or bias against a group or individual, often based on stereotypes, without sufficient knowledge or justification.

Stereotype:
An oversimplified and fixed idea or belief about a particular group of people, often generalized and not based on personal experience.

Unit 2 – Overview of Spanish History and Geography

Government and Culture

  1. What are the official languages of Spain? Where is each one spoken?

    • Spanish (Castilian) – spoken nationwide.

    • Catalan – spoken in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia (where it’s called Valencian).

    • Galician – spoken in Galicia.

    • Basque (Euskara) – spoken in the Basque Country and parts of Navarre.

  2. What form of government does Spain have?

    • Spain is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy.

  3. When did Spain ratify its current constitution?

    • In 1978, following the end of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.

  4. What political party currently controls the Spanish government?

    • The party in power may vary. As of 2024, check for updates (likely Spanish Socialist Workers' Party - PSOE).

  5. Who is Spain’s head of State? Who is the head of the Spanish government?

    • Head of State: King Felipe VI.

    • Head of Government (Prime Minister): Pedro Sánchez (as of 2024, check for updates).

  6. When did Spain join the European Union?

    • Spain joined the EU in 1986.

Geography

  1. Which countries share a boundary with Spain?

    • France to the north, Portugal to the west, and the small British territory of Gibraltar to the south.

  2. What are the most important rivers of Spain?

    • The Ebro, Guadalquivir, Tagus (Tajo), Duero, and Guadiana.

  3. What is its highest elevation?

    • Mount Teide on Tenerife (Canary Islands) at 3,718 meters.

  4. What is an Autonomous Community in Spain? How many are there?

    • An Autonomous Community is a region with its own government and powers. Spain has 17 Autonomous Communities and 2 Autonomous Cities (Ceuta and Melilla).

History and Archeology

  1. What does it mean to be named a “World Heritage Site”? What are 10 World Heritage Sites in Spain?

    • A World Heritage Site is designated by UNESCO for its cultural, historical, or scientific significance.

    • Examples in Spain: Alhambra, Sagrada Familia, Seville Cathedral, Camino de Santiago, Aqueduct of Segovia, Burgos Cathedral, El Escorial, Palau de la Música Catalana, Park Güell, Tarraco.

  2. Did the Spanish language derive from classical Latin or vulgar Latin?

    • Vulgar Latin, the colloquial form spoken by common people in the Roman Empire.

  3. The Aqueduct of Segovia is from which century?

    • The 1st century AD.

  4. Research, cut, and paste three examples of Roman Architecture in Spain:

    • Examples include Aqueduct of Segovia, Roman Theatre of Mérida, Tarraco Amphitheatre.

  5. Arabs ruled in Spain for how many centuries?

    • Approximately 8 centuries (from 711 AD to 1492 AD).

  6. What are some examples of Arab words that have survived in modern Spanish?

    • Words like almohada (pillow), aceituna (olive), azúcar (sugar), and alcalde (mayor).

  7. What is the current use of the Great Mosque of Cordoba?

    • It is a Catholic cathedral now, called the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

  8. What is a significant example of medieval Jewish architecture in Spain?

    • Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca in Toledo.

  9. How did the medieval Jewish presence in Spain come to an end?

    • The Expulsion of the Jews in 1492, ordered by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

  10. Who were the rulers who ended Arab rule in Spain?

    • Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile.

  11. What are the two royal dynasties that have been on the Spanish throne since the sixteenth century?

    • The Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties.

  12. What two centuries are called the “Spanish Golden Age”? Why is this period considered the “Golden Age”?

    • The 16th and 17th centuries. This period saw a flourishing of Spanish arts and literature, and the Spanish Empire was at its height.

  13. When did the Spanish empire begin to decline?

    • The empire began to decline in the 17th century, worsened by the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

  14. When was the Peninsular War? Who was it against?

    • 1808–1814, against Napoleonic France.

  15. How many republics have there been in Spain? During what years?

    • Two republics: First Republic (1873-1874), Second Republic (1931-1939).

  16. When was the Spanish Civil War?

    • 1936–1939.

  17. What was the name of the Spanish Dictator and what years did he rule?

    • Francisco Franco, from 1939 to 1975.

Unit 3 – Daniel Chornet Talk on Communication

Passing greeting vs passing farewell:
Cultural norms around greeting or saying goodbye briefly in passing without engaging in deep conversation.

Gratitude in Spain:
In Spain, expressions of gratitude can sometimes be more understated compared to other cultures.

Confianza:
A Spanish term meaning trust or confidence, crucial in building strong interpersonal relationships.

Sobremesa:
The time spent lingering at the table after a meal, chatting and enjoying the company.

Unit 4 – Gentrification and Urbanism

Gentrification:
The process by which a deteriorated urban area is renovated and improved, often leading to increased property values and displacement of lower-income residents.

Short-term rentals and Madrid housing market:
The rise of short-term rentals (like Airbnb) has contributed to higher rents and housing shortages in Madrid.

Mass tourism:
Large-scale tourism that can overwhelm local infrastructure and lead to cultural and environmental degradation.

Unit 5 – The Medieval and Early Modern Heritage

Mudejar Architecture:
A style of architecture that blends Islamic and Christian design, prominent in Spain during the 12th-16th centuries.

San Isidro:
Madrid's patron saint, celebrated with festivals and traditions in May.

Beatriz Galindo, “La Latina”:
A scholar and advisor to Queen Isabella I, known for her contributions to education and learning.

Dama de Elche:
An ancient Iberian statue representing a woman, dating back to the 4th century BC.

Visigoths:
A Germanic tribe that ruled parts of Spain before the Muslim conquest in the 8th century.

Medieval Convivencia:
The coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in medieval Spain.

End of Convivencia/Remembering Al-Andalus:
The Reconquista and expulsion of Muslims and Jews marked the end of this coexistence.

Reconquista and its Legacy:
The Christian reconquest of Spain from Muslim rule, culminating in 1492.

Isabel and Ferdinand:
The Catholic Monarchs who unified Spain and completed the Reconquista.

1492 Expulsion of the Jews:
The forced removal of Jews from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs.

Spanish Inquisition:
A religious tribunal established to maintain Catholic orthodoxy, often targeting conversos (converted Jews and Muslims).

Legacies of Spanish Imperialism:
The vast global empire Spain established, with cultural, linguistic, and political legacies still felt today.

Fiesta Nacional/Día de la Hispanidad:
Spain’s national day (October 12), celebrating Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.

Christopher Columbus:
The Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic, leading to European colonization of the Americas.

Black Legend:
A term referring to propaganda that demonizes Spain, particularly regarding its colonial policies.

Bartolomé de las Casas:
A Spanish priest who advocated for the rights of indigenous peoples in the Americas.

Unit 6 – Folklore/Popular Culture

La Tomatina:
A tomato-throwing festival held annually in Buñol.

Las Fallas:
A Valencian festival involving the burning of large sculptures (ninots).

La Feria de Abril:
A spring festival in Seville, known for flamenco, food, and traditional attire.

Los Sanfermines:
The Running of the Bulls, held in Pamplona as part of the San Fermín festival.

La Tamborrada:
A drum festival in San Sebastián held in January.