Open to All Majors - sophomore standing or higher
Courses Offered in Spanish: (subject to change)
- SPN 350: Special Topics: Present day culture of Guatemala
- SPN 430: Maya Folktales & Folklore
Courses Offered in English: (subject to change)
- SPN220.01: Perspectives on Culture: Guatemalan Culture
- SPN220.02: Perspectives on Culture, TBD
Faculty Leader
Dr. Sandra Schreffler
email: sschreffler@rwu.edu
Department of Foreign Languages
Program Dates: Summer 2009 (4 week program) Dates to be determined.
Program Fees: TBD. This will include RWU tuition and fees, room, board and travel.
Course Prerequisites
- Minimum GPA 2.5
- Spanish Students: C+/B– in SPN 202
- Non-Spanish Students: Survival Skills in Spanish
- Must be enrolled at RWU
- Pass Judicial Check
- Consent of Instructor
Credits: 2 courses for a total of 6 credit hours.
To Apply
Students who wish to enroll may contact Professor Sandra Schreffler.
Students can obtain an application form at the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs in NIKE HALL or download from our website.
Short Term Study Abroad Program Application .
A Roger Williams University Scholarship is also available:
"Bridging the World" Scholarship Application
Program Description
The purpose of this 4 week study abroad program to Guatemala is to give those of you who are Spanish majors or minors, or who are interested in traveling to Guatemala for other reasons, an opportunity to experience the language, culture, and history in its natural environment and have first-hand interaction with native speakers in situ. We will travel from Boston to Guatemala City, then to Antigua, the colonial and former capital city of Guatemala. From there, trips will be taken to explore pre-Columbian and colonial sites as well as natural habitats that display the unique beauty that can only be found in this small Central American nation.
Course Descriptions
SPN 220.01 Perspectives on Culture - Guatemalan Culture Today
This course is taught in English and is designed to introduce students to the history and culture of Guatemala. Students will be introduced to an gain an understanding of the most significant historical, cultural and literary aspects of this small Central American nation in a survey style format.
SPN 220.02 Perspectives on Culture - The Story of the Maya
This course is taught in English and designed to introduce students to the folktales from the land that the Maya (Mexico and the Central American republics). These folktales will be analyzed and compared to some of the indigenous tribes and early settlers that inhabited the land that later became the United States. Students will be introduced to the varied tribes that made up the Maya civilization. The survey style format will allow students to gain an understanding of the culture and perspectives of the Mexican and Central American peoples.