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Words and worlds : attending to culture as interculture in the Spanish language classroom through Chicana literature

University of British Columbia

This thesis explores how Spanish language teachers may present the notion of cross-cultural understanding in their classes. It argues against a definition of culture that divides students from the target cultures into "us" and "them," but rather, advocates the understanding of culture as "interculture." This concept of "interculture," which involves questioning stereotypes and self-exploration, can be well illustrated through integrating Chicana literature into the curriculum. In particular, the metaphor of the "borderlands," which is critical to understanding Chicano culture, provides a relevant point of departure for learners of Spanish to see the target cultures, as well as their own, as hybrid, constructed, and dynamic.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-07-30

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/11521

Hispanic Studies

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace