Course Descriptions

Please stay tuned for updates to this page.

Art, Dance and Film

Introduction to Flamenco Dance  (Offered in FALL and SPRING). Overview of flamenco dance as a performing art. Emphasis on sevillanas, tangos flamencos and alegrías. Special attention to body awareness, partner communication and movement efficiency. Performance presentation required at the end of the course. Prof. Laura Murcia. (12 students max.) Download syllabus

What Makes This Art? (Offered in SPRING). Throughout this course, we will study the aesthetic ideas that have changed the way art is perceived as such over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Concepts such as beauty, originality, genius, works of art, the spectator, creativity and authorship have undergone constant overhauls from the avant-garde movements to postmodernism. Our objective will be to study the meaning of these concepts through the lens of a variety of artistic trends and philosophical theories related to political and social contexts. To that end, we will analyze and debate the changes that have occurred in painting, architecture, art installations, performance art and museum spaces themselves. This will entail visits to modern and contemporary art museums in Madrid. Prof. Sergio Antoranz. (16 students max.) Download syllabus.

When Art Speaks (Offered in FALL) This course seeks to familiarize students with the history and ramifications of Spanish art. Although focused mainly on emblematic paintings and architecture, students also explore other artforms such as film and video, experimental art installations, performance art and urban art such as graffiti. A major component of the course consists of classes taught on-site in the many museums, iconic architectural spaces and other unique artistic features that characterize Madrid. Students learn about periods of Spanish art history, from the Middle Ages to the latest trends of postmodernism, as well as the considerable influence that Spanish art has had around the world. Prof. Sergio Antoranz.  (16 students max.) Download syllabus

History and Social Sciences

Aspects of Political and Social History of Spain and Latin America through Cinema (Offered in SPRING) The course proposes a theoretical approach to fiction cinema and creative documentary filmmaking with the aim of exploring themes in the political and social history of Spain and various Latin American countries. It will not only study relevant films from the recent cinematic landscape, but also attempt to show how each film reveals fundamental political and social contexts essential for understanding the contemporary Spanish-speaking world. Prof. Jean Castejón (16 students max.). Download Syllabus

Cultural Anthropology and Contemporary Debates on Human Rights (Offered in FALL) Cultural anthropology helps us understand both the common aspects of human life and the unique qualities of different societies and cultures. This field often deals with human rights issues, which are important for highlighting social struggles, identifying violations, and promoting fairness and justice. Human rights are influenced by culture and history, leading to debates about their Eurocentric origins and individualistic focus. This course will explore these ongoing debates, such as the conflict between respecting cultural differences and the idea that human rights are universal. We will also discuss who is responsible for enforcing these rights. How can we respect local values while promoting global human rights? We will examine these questions, focusing especially on Spanish-speaking regions. Topics will include migration, dictatorships, women's rights, LGBTIQ+ rights, poverty, inequality, abortion, and euthanasia. Our goal is to develop a broad, open-minded perspective that can be applied to other academic fields and to encourage critical thinking. Students are encouraged to bring up current issues or personal interests to help us better understand what it means to be human today. Prof. M. Belén Molinuevo (16 students max.) Download Syllabus

Introduction to the Anthropological Analysis of Gender and Sexuality in Spain (Offered in SPRING) This course is an introduction to the concept of gender from the anthropological and feminist theory. It seeks to provide the tools to give meaning to the events and identities that structure our experience in a global world, focusing on Hispanic culture. It will include key concepts in gender studies, such as equality, identities, religion or racialization, that will help to understand the controversies around human rights, women’s rights or LGBTQ rights, for example. It will cover topics like international migrations, prostitution, trans identities, gender violence or Assisted Reproductive Techniques. The methodology will be mostly participative, and the materials and activities diverse (readings, videos, walking tour, guest speakers, exchange activities) to provide as many perspectives and voices as possible, to help students build their own knowledge in a critical way". Prof. M. Belén Molinuevo (16 students max.) Download Syllabus

Cinema: a social and political vision of Spain (1922-2024) (Offered in FALL) This course provides an in-depth overview of modern and contemporary Spain through its cinema. We'll watch a series of important films that illustrate how Spanish cinema has reflected and expressed the significant changes in Spanish society over the past hundred years. This journey through Spanish cinema starts with the hopes and dreams of the young Republic, moves through the devastation of the Civil War, the long 40-year dictatorship, and finally, the fragile transition to a stable democracy. Through these films, we'll gain a deeper understanding of how Spanish filmmakers have captured and conveyed the social and political upheavals of their times. We'll analyze the unique storytelling techniques, as well as the distinctive visual and sound styles, that make these films true masterpieces of Spanish cinema. Additionally, we'll discuss how the art of film making in Spain has evolved over the decades, highlighting the contributions of key directors and the impact of historical events on their work. This course aims to show the important role of cinema in reflecting and shaping the cultural and political landscape of modern Spain. Prof. Jean Castejon. (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Spanish Society and Economy in the EU (Offered in SPRING) Study of the main changes in the Spanish Society and Economy in the last decades with special emphasis on questions related to EU origins, the Euro vs. the US dollar as an international currency, pros and cons of the European social model, the situation of women in Spain and the consequences of immigration in Spain. All these topics will help students to understand the daily realities they will face during their stay in Madrid. Prof. Ainhoa Marín. (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Language

Advanced Spanish Language in Context I (Offered in FALL and SPRING) Review and refinement of grammatical structure, practical vocabulary and syntax. Regular written compositions will be required. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of conversational skills. (16 students max.)

Advanced Spanish Language in Context II (Offered in FALL and SPRING) Study and analysis of the structure of the Spanish language in both written (formal) and oral (colloquial) contexts, in order that the students acquire maximum competence in the recognition and use of the subtleties of the language. (16 students max.)

Literature

Hispanic Caribbean Islands: Strategies of Resistance (Offered in FALL and SPRING) This course examines the emergence of African cultures in the Hispanic-Caribbean islands. We will review how race played a central role during the Spanish colonization period by establishing a “Caste system,” which classified people based on their racial ancestry, placing indigenous and African subjects at the bottom of the social pyramid. We will analyze concepts and discourses of "race" and its intricate relations with gender, class and cultural politics. By studying literary and visual texts, we will address how the voice of the margins has been excluded or included, and consciously manipulated through the emergence of discourses of identity and nationalism. Other topics that will be considered are: the anthropological representation of the Other, the object/subject of slavery, racial stereotyping and oppression, religion, sexuality and interracial love. (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Cervantes - El Quijote (Offered in SPRING) Study of Cervantes’ masterpiece, with emphasis on its unique contribution to the birth of the modern novel and its reflection of Golden Age Spain. Prof. Francisco Layna Ranz. (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Contemporary Spanish Poetry (Offered in SPRING) The main objective of this course is to approach the topic of the construction of subjectivity in contemporary Spanish poetry from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. To this end, the poetic proposals that have arisen around the issues raised by the theme of identity will be analyzed and interpreted. Our intention is to delve into the uniqueness of the Hispanic poetic response to this question, as it is a central theme for the interpretation and understanding of the Spanish worldview. During the course, we will go through the most significant poetic production of the best creators of the last century, giving special emphasis to writers such as Juan Ramón Jiménez, Antonio Machado, Federico García Lorca, Luis Cernuda, Gloria Fuertes, or Jaime Gil de Biedma. Prof. Marcos Roca (16 students max). Download syllabus

The Short Story in Contemporary Spain (Offered in FALL) This course explores the best Spanish short stories of the past century through critical analysis and class discussion. We will address the work of twenty emblematic authors from an interdisciplinary lens, taking into consideration cultural codes, sociological and philosophical theories, gender and sexuality, psychoanalytical concepts, genre conventions, narrative structure and more. The course will also include a writing workshop where students will write their own stories. Prof. Marcos Roca (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Intercultural Learning Experience

On Site: Developing Intercultural Competence through Experiential Opportunities (Offered in FALL and SPRING) In this class you will develop intercultural competency by exploring different perspectives, learning skills and increasing your experience in cross cultural situations. You will improve your interpersonal communication and Spanish competency by taking part in an academic internship in Madrid. The course uses the Intercultural Development Inventory -> at the start and at the end of the term to measure initial and post course competency levels. Building intercultural competence is a developmental process. You will be able to experience new things and actively practice what you have learned by integrating yourself into the workplace and into the Madrid culture. You will observe others and observe yourself to reflect on what you do and learn. And you will be able to obtain theoretical and in-depth knowledge that will give you the opportunity to increase your self-knowledge, to gain self-confidence, to practice the Spanish language in a professional context, to broaden your cultural perspective about Spain, and to develop work skills in an international context. (16 students max.) Download syllabus

Courses at a Spanish university

Studying at a local Spanish university is a fundamental part of the cultural and academic experience for HCAYS students in Madrid. In addition to courses offered at the HCAYS Center, students can enroll in one course at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) or at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM no avaible in spring 25). Both universities offer courses taught in Spanish, including anthropology, economics, international relations, law, literature, political sciences, sociology and history. We help students navigate through the process of finding the course that best fits their needs and curriculum requirements. Additionally, UAM and UCM offer sports facilities, choirs, bookstores, cafeterias and other extra-curricular activities, allowing students to be fully immersed in the Spanish language and culture. Please let us know if you are interested in taking a course at one of the Spanish Universities by contacting Isabel Cámara, the Academic Coordinator, at icamara@hcays.es