Electivo Sessions

COSSI Logo

Electivo sessions descriptions. Choose one for each time slot.
All courses are taught in Spanish.

Beginning: This course taught in Beginning level Spanish. All levels are welcome.

Intermediate: This course taught in Intermediate level Spanish. Intermediate and above level students are encouraged to attend. All levels are welcome.

Advanced: This course is taught in Advanced level Spanish. Advanced level students are encouraged to attend. All levels are welcome.

Spanish Culture & Festivals

Money and Morality on the Medieval Camino de Santiago

John Seasholtz, PhD Beginning • Advanced

The twelfth-century Church expected pilgrims to take a vow of poverty that often conflicted with the realities of a robust money economy along the Camino de Santiago. John Seasholtz will present evidence from contemporary literature, church sculptures and coins to explore the evolution in Church attitudes about money, efforts to control lucrative pilgrim markets, and political and spiritual propaganda.

Golden Age of the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

John Seasholtz, PhD Beginning • Advanced

What factors triggered explosive growth in the popularity of the pilgrimage in the twelfth century? John Seasholtz will discuss origins of the legend of St James and evolution of the pilgrimage’s devotional infrastructure. The presentation will focus on the efforts and motivations of two key figures: Archbishop Diego Gelmírez of Compostela and King Alfonso VI of León-Castile.

El Espíritu de los Quechua: Amar, Trabajar y Aprender

Jessica Bollinger • Intermediate • Advanced

This session will present the tenets of life for this interesting and important group of people and their rules of 3 (love, work and learn).

Una Semana En Oaxaca

Laurie Clarcq • Advanced • Intermediate

Explore the preparations and celebrations of the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico. Photos and realia from Day of the Dead 2018 will be shared.

La Buena y mala educación en España (Good and Bad Manners in Spain)

Skip Crosby • Intermediate

Based on the Videos Dreaming Spanish with Pedro, learn cultural standards of good and bad manners in Spain, and compare those with notions in the United States. Students will acquire vocabulary associated with manners.
Spanish Cuisine/Music/Art/Games

Wines of Spain

Sarah Wolcott • Beginning

The wines of Spain are as diverse as the country itself. Come and experience wines from Spain’s most distinctive regions. Pre-registration is required. Participants must be 21+ and show ID.

El maté

Silvi Galmozzi • Beginning • Advanced

Taste this traditional South American, caffeine-rich, infused herbal drink, while learning about unique and ubiquitous, strangely shaped containers used for sipping.

The Culture & History of Tapas

David Engel • Intermediate

This culinary tour of Spain will include the culture and history of tapas in various regions of Spain. Samples will be provided.

Desde el Fondo de mi Corazón

Laurie Clarcq • Intermediate • Advanced

Songs speak to the heart, mind and soul. The class will explore popular songs in Spanish that tell stories and teach expressions that will never be forgotten.

Selena: Para Sempre

Laurie Clarcq • Intermediate

Catch a glimpse into the life and music of Selena Quintanilla Perez. Selena has touched the lives of millions and continues to do so! Come and learn about this lovely young woman and her legacy.

Juegos comunitarios

Michele Whaley • Beginning

Learn to respond to directions in Spanish while playing improv and guessing games designed to build community. Through activities that include learning one another's names, be ready to Interact, move and have fun.

Canciones para niños

Michele Whaley • Beginning

Join a musical journey to expand beginning Spanish vocabulary through playful children's songs. The catchy melodies and accompanying videos will make learning effortless!

El Greco and Goya

Rachel Kirk • Intermediate • Advanced

Learn the styles of two of Spain’s most prominent painters. We focus our lens first on El Greco, followed by Francisco de Goya. At the end of an hour, you will know something about the style(s) of each artist and one of the masterpieces for which he is best known.

Pablo Picasso: Revolutionary Artist

Rachel Kirk • Intermediate • Advanced

Pablo Picasso’s art evolved through a wide range of styles during his long life. He changed art as we know it, forever. This lecture-style course, taught in Spanish, will help you gain an appreciation for Pablo Picasso, his work, his talent, and his wide range of styles.
Spanish Regions/Travel

El poderoso geografia del Perú

Duane Schmidt • Beginning

Perú is one of the most geographically diverse countries on the planet - home to parts of the driest desert, longest river, and the largest jungle in the world. See and discuss some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth and learn how Peru's geography and natural resources have influenced its cultures.

Los Incas Incredibles

Duane Schmidt • Beginning

Explore the amazing people of Los Incas. They governed over 10 million people in an empire the size of the Roman Empire, created a network of 20,000 miles of roads, spanned the Andes with rope bridges, cultivated the potato, and much more – all without using a written language, the wheel, or beasts of burden larger than a llama. Millions of their descendants live in South America today.

Vitilla - A National Pastime in the Dominican Republic

Skip Crosby • Advanced

Learn about a game, similar to baseball, that is hugely popular in the Dominican Republic. Vocabulary associated with this game will be developed and the cultural significance of the game will be discussed.

Yermis -Un Juego popular en Colombia

Skip Crosby • Intermediate

Learn about a street game popular among young people and adults alike. Vocabulary associated with this game and how to play it will be acquired. We will even play the game!

Parques Nacionales de América del Sur

Silvi Galmozzi • Intermediate • Advanced

South America has the most amazing gifts we can witness, and visit, from mother nature herself. Travel with images of parks, reservations, mountains, valleys, and much more. Learn about 10 National Park, from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Perú and plan your next trip to South America!
Spanish Language Acquisition & Comprehension

Comprehensive Input Panel Discussion

Michele Whaley, Skip Crosby, Laurie Clarcq • Beginning

Under Construction

Embedded Reading Practice

Michele Whaley, Laurie Clarcq • Beginning • Advanced

Learn embedded reading techniques in a variety of fun and focused activities designed to heighten interest in and improve comprehension of text and improve overall language acquisition.

La Llorona I - III: Techniques of Embedded Reading

Michele Whaley • Beginning

This three-part session is for complete beginners. You will hear, act out and read the legend of La Llorona. Each session will build on embedded reading techniques as you explore the final dramatic details of La Llorona! Learn why this tale terrifies, yet protects children who hear it. Students can come to any, or all sessions.
Spanish Pronunciation

Pronunciation

Carlos Hutchings • Beginning

Using songs, tongue twisters and common phrases, participants will learn and practice the correct way to pronounce vowels and consonants in Spanish. We will then delve into the perplexing world of syllabication and accentuation.

Memorization Techniques

Carlos Hutchings • Beginning

Learn mnemonic devices and other tricks to memorize vocabulary. Bring your grammar manual so you can put your newfound skills to work.

Web Resources & Next Steps in Spanish

Carlos Hutchings • Beginning

This session will provide helpful internet resources for you to continue your learning and practice in Spanish. Websites, podcasts, and videos will be shared to encourage you to keep your Spanish sharp and keep you moving forward.

One Word Images

Skip Crosby • Beginning • Intermediate

Improve your language acquisition using creative One Word Image techniques. Learn the steps of OWI, from building characters to using questioning and circling techniques for repetition.

Reader's Theater

Skip Crosby • Intermediate

Reader's Theater is an effective, fun and interactive way to make greater strides in Spanish fluency, reading comprehension and overall language acquisition.

Spanish ‘If’ Clauses: How to Talk About Hypothetical Events

Rachel Kirk • Intermediate • Advanced

How many times have you wondered how to talk about hypothetical events in Spanish? “If” clauses such as “If I were you, I would come to COSSI,” require some of the most advanced grammar in the Spanish language. But with a little knowledge and a lot of application, you can come out of a one-hour course with the ability to talk about hypotheticals in Spanish (finally)!
Professional Development

Medical Spanish Terminology I: Basic Anatomy and Related Verbs

Jacqueline Hinds • Beginning

Learn basic human anatomy and ways to speak about physical functionality. This session will go beyond simple lists of vocabulary with an introduction to the application of mind mapping for glossary and quick study guide creation.

Medical Spanish Terminology II: Anatomy and Medical Specialties

Jacqueline Hinds • Intermediate

Build on basic anatomy terminology and explore common medical specialties. Explore how the mind mapping method of glossary creation can comprehensively include vocabulary for a body system and its related symptoms, analyses, diagnoses and treatments.
Spanish for 1st Responders
Holly Graham
Learn high frequency words and phrases used specific to law enforcement/first responders.

Basic Training
- - Pronunciation
  - Pronouns
  - Creating communication - introductions
  - Booking Information (include how last names work in Spanish-speaking countries)
  - Numbers 1-19
Traffic Stops
- - Traffic stops
  - Do you know why I pulled you over?
  - Describing people under the influence
  - Describing traffic violations
  - Describing different vehicles
  - Numbers 20-199
Dealing w/ Offenders
- Giving commands (sit-down / hands-up!)
  
  Describing location
  
  Prepositions of location, colors
  
  Giving directions (commands - go left, take a right, stop, continue); names of city locations
Arriving at the Scene of an Accident
- Injury Accident Assessment: (What happened? Where does it hurt?)
  
  Parts of the body/medical terminology
Responding to Domestic Calls, Arrests
- Dealing w/ domestic calls
  
  Making an arrest
  
  Miranda Warning
Questioning & Describing Suspects
- - Forming questions
  - Describing people (hair, height, clothing)
  - Hay (there is, there are)
  - Days & times