Location:

Barcelona, Spain

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

Are you interested in spending a semester in Spain, meeting students from around the world, improving your Spanish proficiency, and getting university credit in the meantime? Then the International Semester at Barcelona International College (BIC) is the one for you! All courses have components outside of the classroom whether it be guest speakers, neighborhood tours, or visits to some of the most renowned museums in the world. Most electives are taught in English but students are highly encouraged to take the intensive Spanish language component to get the most out of their study abroad experience in Barcelona. BIC is accredited by Jacksonville University in Florida, so students will get U.S. credit for courses in English and Spanish in Business and the Humanities. Spanish Language Spanish language acquisition is a top priority for the staff at BIC and they encourage language development in every aspect of the program. From the Spanish language classes to the excursions to the printed materials, we provide students with multiple opportunities to use Spanish in their everyday life. BridgeVirtual Language Lessons As part of your program fee, you will receive three free BridgeVirtual language sessions for your use prior to your arrival on-site! Each session lasts 2 hours and includes both pre- and post-class online activities, as well as private, face-to-face time with a certified native speaking teacher. With BridgeVirtual, you’ll learn from practical assignments that incorporate videos, blogs, news articles, and a large variety of material, appropriate for all levels and interests. You will be assigned your own teacher, who is dedicated to guiding and motivating you through a completely personalized, one-to-one program, which makes learning fun, practical and effective. And most importantly, you’ll have the language tools you need to be successful in your program abroad. Did you know that Barcelona: Has the most UNESCO world heritage sites of any city in the world? Boasts art and architecture from such famous Spaniards as Picasso, Miró, Dalí and Gaudí? Has 13 Michelin starred restaurants? Is home to thousands of students, both from within Spain and around the world? Has over 3 miles of beach within 15 minutes of the city center? Is host to a completely bi-lingual community? Is no more than a 2 hour flight away from the following cities: Rome, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Madrid?

Academics Course Load: 3-5 courses Credit Load: 12-15 credits Language of Instruction: English and/or Spanish Minimum Spanish Proficiency Required: Beginner (no previous Spanish experience required). Minimum GPA: 2.5/4.0 Transcript: Issued by Jacksonville University (in order to receive credit, students must receive a grade of C or higher). During the semester, students can take a Spanish language course worth 3 credits, or an intensive Spanish language course worth 6 credits. As for electives, there are several Business and Humanities courses offered in English. Both the Area Studies and Spanish Language courses are conducted by PhDs or certified teachers with a Masters degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, or in a related field. The courses have been designed especially for an international student group – they maintain a Spanish style of teaching but the courses are adapted towards the international make-up of the students. For the Semester program at BIC, students have the following academic options: Option A (12 credits): 1 Spanish Language course (90 hours, 6 credits) plus 2 Electives (3 credits each) Option B (15 credits): 1 Spanish Language course (90 hours, 6 credits) plus 3 Electives (3 credits each) Option C (12 credits): 1 Spanish Language course (45 hours, 6 credits) plus 3 Electives (3 credits each) Option D (15 credits): 1 Spanish Language course (45 hours, 6 credits) plus 4 Electives (3 credits each) Option E (12 credits): 4 Electives (3 credits each) Possible Courses Include: Barcelona and its Historical Foundations This course takes an analytical look at the present-day cosmopolitan city of Barcelona politically, economically and socially and looks back through over 2000 years of history to see how it has taken shape. This course will reflect on the definitive events in the history of Barcelona and how they have shaped today’s society. Special attention will be focused on its urban development and its reflection in how we interact with the city today. We will determine which historical events most impacted the transformation of this Catalan capital city’s physical, architectural and cultural heritage, and discuss the importance of its location in the Mediterranean. Great 20th Century Artists: Picasso, Dali, Miro The course is centered on surrealist theory and how these theories were manifested in artistic works. The theories and poetry of Andre Breton and Sigmund Freud form the basis for the analysis of visual works by a selection of painters and sculptors but focusing on the works of Miró, Dalí and Picasso primarily, and how Catalonia influenced their works. Students will study both Breton’s Manifesto of Surrealism and Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams Dreams and how the artists conformed to or rejected, the artistic tradition where their background comes from. Sports and Society in Spain and Catalonia This course will examine various aspects of the relationship between sport and society in Spain, with a particular emphasis on sports with a long tradition in Catalonia. We will examine both the impact of sport on Spanish society and the influence of society on the practice of sport in Spain. The course begins with a consideration of general theoretical questions in the study of sport before moving on to an account of the historical development of sports in Spain in general and in Catalonia in particular. We also examine the reciprocal influences of sport violence, gender, race and ethnic and national identities in Spain. Spanish Civilization and Culture The objective of this course is to acquire general knowledge of the main events of the history of Spain and their influence upon contemporary Spanish life and culture. Additionally, we will discuss the major areas of Spanish life and how they have changed in the last century so as to better understand principal current ideological, political and cultural tendencies. Finally, by comparing U.S. and Spanish cultural trends, students should gain a new understanding of their own culture and cultural adaptation. We will look at far-reaching social issues such as politics, gender, class and religion, as well as issues facing Spain today such as obesity, regionalism, changing trends in food, and especially the Spanish family. Architecture and Urban Design: The Barcelona Example This course takes an analytical look at the present-day cosmopolitan city of Barcelona politically, economically and socially and looks back through over 2000 years of history to see how it has taken shape. This course will reflect on the definitive events in the history of Barcelona and how they have shaped today’s society. Special attention will be focused on its urban development and its reflection in how we interact with the city today. We will determine which historical events most impacted the transformation of this Catalan capital city’s physical, architectural and cultural heritage, and discuss the importance of its location in the

Setting Description:

The Host Institution Barcelona International College The Barcelona International College (BIC) offers international students the incredible opportunity to vastly improve their Spanish language skills while earning college credit with courses in English, specially designed for them. The Barcelona International College is located in the heart of the Eixample district of Barcelona – a beautiful, area of the city constructed in the 19th and 20th centuries in typical Modernist fashion. Students studying at the Barcelona International College receive the following benefits: Quality academic classes in English, taught by some of the best faculty Barcelona has to offer Intensive Spanish Language classes for any level of Spanish learner Classes with students from around the world A variety of cultural excursions within the city Weekend excursions outside of Barcelona Wi-fi and computer access Study rooms Terraces and cafés on campus where international studen