Kevin Anzzolin, PhD
Lecturer, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Community-Engaged Course Name: SPAN 303 – Spanish in the Digital Age
Community Partners: Las Jaras Botánica; Lackey Free Clinic; Newcomers Program Newport News Public Schools; Center for Child and Family Services; Newport News Police Police Department; Katherine Johnson Adult Education Center
Course Description: This course is designed to review advanced structures of Spanish grammar through reading, composition, and discussion, with particular emphasis on developing writing skills. Spanish in the Digital Age will focus on contemporary issues related to the new media of communication. The course itself and the assignments will be structured around digital platforms. The students will elaborate on different types of writing associated with a specific digital format, such as Google Docs, blogs, social media, and digital recordings. The study of grammar will be in context: all of the readings will be selected from real-life materials of the Spanish-speaking world. They will focus on specific grammar structures, especially those of particular complexity for the students. The writing exercises aim to put into practice the grammar structures in meaningful contexts. The course is designed to improve students’ language skills and deepen their cultural awareness in a globalized world through community-engaged components that take students into the community to engage with Spanish-speaking business owners, community leaders, and residents.
