Location
Barcelona, Madrid, Spain
Program Description
This program offers a deep dive into the culture and history of twentieth-century Spain, with emphasis on political and social changes. Beginning in the 1920s with dictatorship, the democratic renaissance of the 1930s, the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Franco Regime lasting until 1975, Spain experienced major shifts, often felt most deeply in the major cities of Barcelona and Madrid.
Barcelona, Spain has long been an intellectual and artistic hub, and, in the twentieth century, it saw an explosion of modern art, political consciousness, and revolutionary politics. Both the unique aspects of Barcelona and its national and global ties will be explored during the study abroad program.
While in Barcelona, we will explore contemporary issues like nationalism and the Catalan independence movement, the effect of tourism in the city, and the role of gender and popular culture in creating a complex urban identity. Students will also learn about cultural hallmarks like the Catalan modernist movement featuring Gaudi's architecture and the interplay between the tumultuous twentieth century and the artwork of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Through guided visits of some of the most significant museums and landmarks like the Sagrada Familia, the City History Museum of Barcelona, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, a bomb shelter from the Spanish Civil War, key Gaudi sites and many other locations, students will be immersed in the history of this unique metropolis. Day trips include a visit to the Dali Museum in Figueres, the striking monastery of Montserrat, and to the Medieval town of Girona.
In Barcelona, students will also meet with expert scholars of the the history of Spain, attending workshops and lectures. While in Madrid, students will continue their exploration of the the experience of women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups in the last hundred years in Spain through visits to sites of major historical significance.
Students will also participate in weekly scheduled discussions of course readings and assignments and will have the opportunity for regular one on one academic exchanges with the program directors. The program instructors specialize in Spanish Studies. They represent the disciplines of History , Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and World Languages and Cultures. Upon arrival in Barcelona, the learning will be experiential as we actively explore sites of interest with the program directors and sometimes with a local tour guide. Students will also present to the class research they have completed at these historical sites. During the three weeks abroad, students will read related assigned texts, and complete short writing assignments. For the final tiered project, due after the program concludes, students choose their topic related to the course and produce a traditional academic paper or a digital essay. No Spanish language training necessary but is advantageous. All instruction will be in English.
While in Barcelona and Madrid, the course will emphasize hands-on, immersive learning through daily trips to museums, monuments, landmarks and participating in other cultural activities in the city and surrounding areas. To prepare for these experiences, students will complete readings daily and be prepared to participate fully in the tours organized by the program. Students will demonstrate knowledge gained by writing various papers while in Spain, in addition to a more lengthy tiered research project to be completed after the program concludes. All coursework will be in English.
Location Description
Spain offers an amazing variety of landscapes and cultures. Barcelona is proud of its unique Catalan identity and language. The city of Barcelona is located in Catalonia, a region on Spain’s Northeastern coast. Its geographic location provides the best aspects of the sea including striking Mediterranean beaches on the Costa Brava and fresh seafood, with the amenities associated with a 21st-century metropolitan area, like an excellent array of museums, restaurants, and extensive public transportation network.
Barcelona’s pedestrian-friendly layout offers the chance to stroll past cafes and shops located in the various neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter, the centrally located Eixample, or the quirky Born. During the program's dates, Barcelona is normally warm and partly humid with occasional rain- beach visits are possible.
We will stay in Madrid, Spain's capital city, during the last six days of the program. Traveling several hours by train from Barcelona, we will explore Spain's largest city- an equally dynamic but markedly different metropolis in the center of the country, home of the Bourbon royal dynasty and current seat of the national government. As a group we will visit the Royal Palace, the modern art museum (Reina Sofia), the charming old neighborhood of La Latina, and other key sites of interest. The weather in Madrid will be warm during the month of May.
Director
Jessica Davidson | davidsjb@jmu.edu | History
John Tkac | tkacja@jmu.edu | World Languages and Cultures
Accommodations
While staying in Barcelona, students will live together, in groups of 4-6, in fully furnished apartments located within easy walking distance of a wide variety of restaurants, supermarkets, shops and the Mediterranean coast. Each apartment will have a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom(s), WIFI, central air, and washer. A metro station is easily accessible from the apartment complex.
In Madrid, students will stay in a centrally located hotel for the final segment of the program.
Students will receive a weekly stipend that they can use to eat out or purchase food in the markets to cook in their apartments. In addition, at various points during the program there will be group meals taken with the professors and paid for with program funds.
Additional Items to Consider
Students must have a valid passport.
Prior to departure, we will hold several meetings and short classes in which we will discuss expectations and students will discuss course work and ask any related questions
Applicant Criteria
Students must meet requirements of JMU Honors program.
Open to First Years, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Students must be a current JMU Honors student and meet requirements of Honors program.
Application Process
This list serves as an application preview. To apply, students will need to complete the following:
- Study Abroad Online Application ($40 fee)
- Short Essay
Further details and instructions about these application requirements will be available upon log-in.
Application Deadline
Dates
All dates are tentative and subject to change
Courses
HON 300: Gender and Global Engagement in Spain (3 credits)
HON 300: Capstone Research Project Honors Barcelona Study abroad (3 credits)
Courses listed here are to be used as a general guideline for program curriculum. *All courses are considered pending until approved by the Academic Department, Program, and/or College.
Cost
Center for Global Engagement - Study Abroad
Holland Yates Hall (formerly Madison Hall)
MSC 5731
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
MSC 5731
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
