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La Academia de España | Courses
COURSE SELECTION
Architecture. Students in this course receive a varied, hands-on introduction to architectural history and theory amid some of the world’s most recognizable monuments and buildings. Students spend each day venturing through the city to examine over two thousand years of urban development and design, from the city’s ancient Gothic Quarter to the creations of the modernistas and Barcelona Football Club’s majestic Camp Nou. Stimulating on-site workshops and presentations enable participants to identify and define the most important schools of architecture at a glance, and to explore the social, political, and cultural contexts that have inspired them.. Back to top
Art History. Art History. In a city renowned for its artistic riches, this course introduces students to major European artists, and to the dominant themes and techniques of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, and Modernism. Students examine Spanish masters, such as Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Dalí, and Miró, as well as other major figures, and particularly important works by Surrealist, Cubist, and Pop artists. Students visit the Dalí Museum as well as collections in the Picasso Museum, the Museum of
Modern Art, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, and the Miró Foundation. Back to top
Barcelona and Modern Culture. This interdisciplinary course examines the art, architecture, literature, music, fashion, and cuisine that have shaped Barcelona over the last century. From the Modernismo movement in the early 1900s to the Spanish Civil War and recent events, such as Spain’s admission to the European Union in 1986 and the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona has come into its own as a world capital. Classes involve readings, guest speakers, and visits to contemporary art studios and museums, with the aim of introducing students to artists and thinkers – from Gaudí and Miró to the writer Jorge Luis Borges, the tenor José Carreras, and the celebrated chef Ferran Adriá – whose contributions have shaped, and continue to shape, Barcelona. Back to top
Creative Writing. Working with a published writer, students compose fiction and poetry, exploring their own potential as they experiment with new forms and styles of writing. Students draw on Barcelona’s many cultural and visual resources, and take inspiration from Spain’s rich literary history as well as readings and workshops given by established poets and writers. Students develop a portfolio of their best writing and collaborate to design, edit, and publish the program’s literary
magazine. Back to top
Global Medicine. Natural disasters, pandemics, and world health issues ensure that medical experts continue to be in demand across the planet. Students examine the role of charities, aid agencies, and other NGOs that employ doctors, nurses, and aid workers to deal with international medical emergencies. In addition to discussing organizations such as the WHO and Médicos Sin Fronteras, students are introduced to specific medical procedures and lab projects. They debate the ethical and logistical dimensions of modern-day global health issues, such as AIDS treatments, genetic engineering, and the challenges that nonmilitary
personnel face in war zones. Back to top
International Business. Taking advantage of our residence’s proximity to Barcelona’s financial center, this course introduces participants to the world of global business, seen through the lens of Europe’s expansion and its ever-increasing importance in international finance. Thanks to visits to such places of interest as the national headquarters of La Caixa, one of Spain’s biggest banks, and the Barcelona Stock Exchange, as well as the regional offices of major companies such as Microsoft or Capgemini, students gain first-hand knowledge of current issues in the world of business and economics. Major course projects include real-life case studies (on topics ranging from brand positioning to crisis management), consulting projects, a real-time investment game, and the design of a theoretical start-up venture. Back to top
International Politics. This cosmopolitan, vibrant city is the ideal location to learn about the schools of thought, organizations, and diplomatic strategies that shape international politics in the modern world. Through a number of case studies and hands-on projects, students examine how such bodies as the UN, WTO, EU, and ICC act upon the world stage, and how sovereign nations influence (and are influenced by) the world beyond their own borders. Globalization, peacekeeping, diplomatic negotiation, legal arbitration, the media, and the interface between Islam and the West are examined. Through role plays, mock summits, and a final project, students gain fascinating insights into how the world really works. Back to top
Postwar Europe: From D-Day to eBay. In 1945, after the most violent and destructive war in its history, Europe was physically devastated, bankrupt and, according to many observers, doomed. Today the European Union is the wealthiest
and most powerful trading bloc in the world, one that relies on a system of social organization that makes it the envy of the planet. The object of this course is to chart the dramatic story of Europe’s rise from the ashes, all set against the backdrop of the Cold War, violent decolonization, and widespread social turmoil, culminating in the remarkably successful creation of the EU. Students take part in seminars, debates, attend lectures, and visit related sites in and around Barcelona. Back to top
Studio Art. Designed for beginners as well as students with more advanced art training, this course uses art as the medium for imaginative engagement with Barcelona. Students receive instruction in the techniques of charcoal, pencil, and watercolor, and spend much of their time outside of the studio – capturing Gaudí’s fantastical Parc Güell, his soaring Sagrada Familia, the bustle of the harbor and las Ramblas, or the tranquility of a hidden plaza or quiet cobblestone street. Students mount an exhibition of their best pieces at the end of the program and take home a portfolio of their best work. Materials fee of $200 US for Majors; $100 US for Minors. Back to top
Spanish Language:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Favoring innovative and interactive teaching methods, our language courses cover elements of language and grammar with a heavy focus on conversational proficiency. Language learning is approached through the exploration of various cultural themes such as theater, cinema, gastronomy, music, regional cultures, and literature. A special emphasis is placed on exercises that bring students into contact with Spaniards. Students are evaluated on the first day of class and placed in a group of the appropriate level. Classes are taught entirely in Spanish, so as to simulate an immersion environment and optimize students’ learning potential. Back to top
Immersion Courses: The following courses approach Spanish learning through specific cultural themes – literature, philosophy, art history, political science, etc. –
allowing students to gain in-depth knowledge in this one topic while at the same time perfecting their Spanish. The focus is on advanced writing techniques as well as discussion and debate using more complex grammar skills. Students wishing to enroll in an immersion course must provide a writing sample in Spanish and a lette
of recommendation from a Spanish teacher. For an English translation of any of these courses to show your parents, please call or email us. Back to top
Barcelona and Modern Culture/Barcelona y la cultura moderna. Este curso interdisciplinario examinará el arte, la arquitectura, la literatura, la música, la moda y la cocina que tanto influenciaron y transformaron Barcelona durante el siglo pasado. Comenzando con el movimiento modernista al principio del siglo XX
y pasando a la Guerra Civil Española y los acontecimientos más recientes, como la admisión de España a la Unión Europea en 1986 y las Olimpiadas de 1992, Barcelona se ha transformado en una ciudad de gran importancia a nivel mundial. Las clases incluirán lecturas, conferenciantes especiales y visitas a estudios de arte contemporáneos, museos, centros de información y comunicación, y otros lugares similares. El objetivo principal es dar a conocer a los estudiantes los artistas y pensadores más destacados – incluyendo a Gaudí, Miró, el escritor Jorge Luis Borges, el tenor José Carreras, y el distinguido chef Ferrán Adriá – cuyas contribuciones han transformado, y siguen transformando, la ciudad de Barcelona. Back to top
Barcelona: A Literary Workshop/Barcelona: Taller literario. El primer objetivo de este curso es que los estudiantes se familiaricen con algunos escritores españoles y latinoamericanos cuyas obras se centran en Barcelona o bien la toman como musa de su inspiración (Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Mercè Rodoreda, Juan Marsé, Eduardo Mendoza, Ildefonso Falcones, Carlos Ruiz Zafón). Mediante visitas a los diferentes barrios, cafés y monumentos y a través del análisis y la lectura de extractos de novelas y poemas, las obras de estos emblemáticos autores adquieren otro sentido para los estudiantes. El segundo objetivo del curso es dar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de crear su propia relación literaria con la ciudad mediante la escritura de un diario y la creación de escritos de diferentes estilos. Back to top
Culture and Cuisine/Cultura y cocina. Los estudiantes aprenden la historia de la cocina española centrándose durante la primera parte del curso en las especialidades de las diferentes regiones - desde la paella valencia hasta el gazpacho andaluz, pasando por los pinxos (tapas típicas) del País Vasco – y cómo éstas se relacionan con las diferentes culturas de estas partes de España. La segunda parte del curso se centra en el papel que Barcelona – junto con sus célebres cocineros, como Ferran Adriá – ha llegado a tener en el mundo culinario. Las sesiones de clase se complementarán con visitas regulares a los mercados de Barcelona, incluyendo la espectacular Boquería, construída en 1836, pastelerías, carnicerías y panaderías, las cuales son testimonio de la extraordinaria gastronomíade la ciudad. Durante la última semana del programa se ofrecerán varias lecciones prácticas de cocina impartidas por expertos locales. Honorarios de $300 US para la clase de Major; $250 US para la clase de Minor. Back to top
Spain
in Cinema/España en el cine. Este curso ofrece una visión caleidoscópica de España cultural, política, histórica y geográficamente a través del mundo cinematográfico. Los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de comparar el trabajo de una serie de directores españoles tales como Buñuel (Tristana), Almodóvar (Kika, Tacones Lejanos) o Amenábar (Tesis), quienes presentan una perspectiva de España vista desde dentro y por lo tanto consiguen reducir la cantidad de tópicos típicos y clichés presentes en sus largometrajes, con el de directores internacionales que han descrito el país según la visión que se tiene de él en el resto del mundo. Este curso da una consideración especial a la descripción
de España en períodos importantes de su historia como, por ejemplo, durante la Guerra Civil (la obra maestra de Ken Loach Tierra y Libertad, La Guerre est Finie de Alain Resnais) una época en la que existían reglas muy estrictas sobre lo que estaba permitido mostrar en una pantalla de cine. A través de este curso que ofrece múltiples perspectivas, los estudiantes podrán ampliar sus conocimientos de una cultura compleja y fascinante. Back to top
War and the Arts/La Guerra y las artes. Historiadores y artistas han querido siempre capturar el horror, la esperanza y la desesperación de la guerra. En este curso los estudiantes examinarán el tratamiento histórico y artístico de algunos conflictos bélicos en la historia de la humanidad. En España mismo, pintores como Picasso, Miró y Dalí tuvieron que enfrentarse a la Guerra Civil Española mientras que Goya se inspiró en la Guerra de la Independencia española. Los estudiantes también observarán el ‘arte’ de propaganda, como arte propiamente dicho y como intencionado vehículo de persuasión política. Se estudiará el papel del arte (y su censura) como arma en su función al lado de otras instituciones culturales y sociales en tiempos de guerra, como expresión de humanidad o como síntoma del conflicto por sí mismo. De esta forma el curso combinará historia del arte con la historia cultural y militar, basada en Barcelona, algo que permitirá un acceso inimitable a obras originales vitales para que los estudiantes tengan experiencia en el tema. Back to top
NOTE: There is no final application deadline.
We accept applications on a rolling basis until the program is full. Students who apply on or before January 29, 2010 and are accepted have their first choice of courses guaranteed, subject to enrollment levels. This is absolutely not a final application deadline but we do begin receiving applications in October so we recommend that students apply as early as possible for subjects that are in very high demand.
Our Philosophy
All of our courses, regardless of subject area, are designed to introduce students to new subjects and skills. As much as possible, classes venture out into Barcelona to see and understand their subject in an immediate and tangible way. We put students in small classes to study exciting and engaging courses conducted by lively and imaginative teachers with Barcelona as a classroom for all.
Course Selection
Our students choose any two courses on the list, one as a MAJOR course and one as a MINOR. Major courses meet six mornings a week and depending on the nature of the course include in-class time for fieldwork, labs, workshops, guest speakers, group discussions, and one-on-one instruction. They also include homework and require project and preparation time outside of class. Minor courses meet three afternoons a week, with all work contained within the class session. A Minor course presents highlights of the Major and most students find their Minor a welcome opportunity to sample a new subject for the first time.
Language Courses
How better to learn a language – or perfect one’s speaking, reading, writing and comprehension in that language – than to practice it among native speakers on a daily basis? We offer all levels of Spanish with basic language classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, and immersion courses in specific subject areas for students who would like to challenge themselves further.
Evaluation
Each student receives grades and comments for their coursework at the end of the summer. Our participants often find these comments to be a valuable addition to their college applications, where they stand as testimony to their academic achievements during the program. We keep copies in our New York office and are happy to send them to colleges when alumni apply for admission.
601 Cathedral Parkway, Suite 7R, New York, New York 10025-2186
Telephone: (800) 828-8349 / (212) 932-3049 Fax: (212) 663-8169
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