Spanish 325 "Art as Protest in Spain and Latin America"

For the Fall 2020 semester, nine student-curators in Spanish 325 "Art as Protest in Spain and Latin America" mounted digital exhibits that demonstrate how art can be an effective mode of protest throughout the Spanish-speaking world. From works that shine a light on US imperialism in Latin America, to collective street protests in Chile, to campaigns to highlight the costs of environmental destruction in Central America and Spain, these nine exhibits tell striking stories of resistance through a diverse array of art, music and film. We invite you to take a virtual tour through our Museum of Art as Protest. (Amherst login required)

— Professor Sara J. Brenneis

Follow Spanish's Camino de Santiago course trip to Spain!

Prof. Carmen Granda's course, Camino de Santiago, traveled to Spain at the end of May 2019 to walk the last 118 kilometers (approximately 73 miles) of the camino francés, the most popular route, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. In Santiago de Compostela, students received the coveted Compostela, a certificate given by the Pilgrim's Office. The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The interdisciplinary course explores the origins of the Camino through the Middle Ages, and its transformation into a popular cultural phenomenon. The course Instagram page is a collection of photos that document the class's journey from the first day of the semester to their arrival to Santiago. ¡Buen camino! 

“Art as Protest” digital exhibitions

During the Fall of 2018, eight students mounted their own digital exhibitions for the “Art as Protest in Spain and Latin America” class. As the curator, each student chose and researched five objects centered on an individual theme, writing descriptions for each work and an introduction to their exhibit. The result is an artistic tour through the most important and controversial matters affecting the Spanish-speaking world today.

We invite you to explore these diverse and striking exhibitions. You can begin with the “Exhibit Pages,” where each student has contributed the introduction to their exhibit and links to the five objects with their descriptions.

We hope that these exhibitions allow the viewer to reflect on how art can be an effective form of protest and resistance throughout the Spanish-speaking world. — Professor Sara J. Brenneis

Puerto Rico Pa’lante: a student documentary

Students in Prof. Schroeder Rodríguez’s course SPAN 345: Puerto Rico Diaspora Nation created a 22-minute documentary based on interviews made in Amherst, in nearby communities, and during a trip to the island during Spring Break.  Students practiced effective interviewing skills, video and audio recording, and how to edit for narrative effect, all the while honing their Spanish language skills.  Click here to view!