Stephen P. Broker
Assignment #1.
Use the Michelin map provided to plan a two week car trip through Andalusia, Spain. Plot the course of your trip on the map, identify highways and secondary roads, and develop a list of the route numbers you need to follow. Your trip should begin in Granada (an hour or so north of the Spanish resort region on the Mediterranean Sea), then proceed to Antequera, Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, and Sevilla, with side trips to Cadiz and Huelva. (Keeping track of anticipated expenses for lodging, food, and excursions would bring a greater touch of reality to the travel plan.)
Assignment #2.
Develop an outline of the principal overnight stops you would make along the trip, the landmarks you would visit and the activities you would expect to pursue during your travel. Each student is responsible for collecting and sharing information on an aspect of the trip. Several students will be assigned a particular town or area of Andalucia to research. Following sufficient time for collecting information and a day devoted to brief student presentations, I give color slide presentations on Andalusia, Spain, focusing on Granada, Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, Sevilla, Cadiz, and Huelva. One section of the presentation addresses the significant locations and events in the life of Christopher Columbus, from his arrival in Spain and efforts to convince the Spanish monarchy to bankroll his voyages of exploration, to his completion of four New World trips, his death, and his modern legacy. While not essential, the presentation of this information can be timed with the occurrence of Columbus Day, a regularly scheduled school holiday in New Haven.
Assignment #3.
Pursue research on the geography, history, and culture of the Andalusian region. (These student activities are stated in objectives form.)
Objectives.
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1. Develop some familiarity with the basic geography of Spain (southwestern Europe) and its Andalucia region, including Andalucia's two mountain ranges, the Andalucian plain, and the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea coastlines.
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2. Associate Andalucia with a dry Mediterranean climate.
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3. Become familiar with the several contributing cultures of Andalucia - Islamic (Moorish), Jewish, and Christian. Important elements of these cultures include: Muslim and Christian architecture (palace fortresses, cathedrals, churches, plazas, gardens), visual and performing arts (painting, flamenco music, singing, and dance), foods (tapas, gazpacho, etc.), festivals (including bull fighting), customs, and religious observances.
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4. Recognize key events and locations in the life of Christopher Columbus (ports from which he sailed, monasteries and churches where he worshiped, present day monuments and attractions).