MLO 4: Secondary Cultural Knowledge
In addition to the Spanish Language and Hispanic cultures, the student demonstrates a general knowledge of a socio-cultural group other than a Hispanic one or mainstream American culture. The student develops a basic understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products - both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) - of the second culture.
Reflective Narrative
MLO 4: Secondary Culture Knowledge is a Major Learning outcome were students are
expected to gain knowledge of a social-cultural group unrelated to the Spanish
language and the Hispanic Cultures. For
this outcome I choose to enroll in HCOM 324 (African American Narratives) in
order to meet the requirement. Through
this course I was able to develop dipper knowledge of the overall African
American Culture. I learned about the
art, history, music, and literature of this particular ethnical and cultural
group. I did this mainly through the
reading and analysis of several literary works, which served as narratives that
conducted one to exploration of the African American Culture since the times of
Slavery until modern times. I was able
to recognize time periods that were crucial to this cultural group, issues that
relevant to their communities and individuals who were on great importance to
the culture in some particular way. I
enrolled in the country with some background of the African American culture,
but it was not to the extent that HCOM 324 described it. I have to state that
it was a pleasure to have taken this course and to go beyond my learning of the
Hispanic world and the Spanish language; definitely an experience from which I
learned much. Although, I must mentioned that I took this course after having
taken two intense semesters of Upper Division in Spanish. It was somewhat of a challenge to get away
from the Spanish and have courses taught in English and to be expected to write
analytical essay in that language once again.
At the end everything worked out for the best and I realized again, that
is convenient to broaden your perspectives and to be receptive to learn more
than what you have become accustomed to.
I will share some a couple of samples from my work in this HCOM course
and from them one can see a little insight into the African American Culture.