Spanish, Portuguese receive prize
Department teaches more than just language
The department of Spanish and Portuguese won a $10,000 award from The Center for Teaching Excellence. They have expanded their program to include cultural studies.
By Kyle Carter
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
The Center for Teaching Excellence awarded the Department of Spanish and Portuguese with the 2007 Departmental Award for Exceptional Teaching and Learning. The award recognizes one exceptional department each year with a $10,000 award.
We emphasize writing as a vehicle and as a tool for critical thinking.
- Isidro Rivera
The winner is selected based on the culture of learning within the department, evidence of student learning and constant evaluation of progress. Professor and chair of undergraduate studies Isidro Rivera said the department focused on teaching students to think critically rather than simply learning to memorize vocabulary and verb tenses.
“We emphasize writing as a vehicle and as a tool for critical thinking,” he said.
Rivera said the department had moved away from simply teaching a language and now included cultural studies as well. He related the importance of this change through a comparison to American culture.
“Imagine trying to learn English without knowing what ‘The Simpsons’ is,” he said.
Dan Saunders, Lawrence senior, studied abroad in Mexico and Spain while working toward a Spanish degree. He took a 20th Century Spanish literature class to further his understanding of the cultures that accompany the language. Saunders said assistant professor Jorge Perez invited Spanish poet Laura Freixas to class one day to talk with students after they studied her work.
“It’s easier to understand subject material that you can relate to,” Saunders said.
Rivera said the department had modified its teaching philosophy significantly since he arrived in 1992.
“We look at our teaching in a constructive and critical way” he said. “When something’s not working, we adjust it.”
The award money will go back into the department to fund teaching and other areas of the department.
Kansan staff writer Kyle Carter can be contacted at kcarter@kansan.com.
— Edited by Sharla Shivers
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