This program is devoted to intensive Spanish language study and an in-depth look at Peninsular and Valencian cultural and social history and customs.
The Earlham Program in Spain was initiated in 1984 and located in Segovia and Madrid. Over the years, the program has also enjoyed stays in Santiago de Compostela and Santander. In 1990, the program began its association with the University of Valencia in the city of Valencia, capital of the Comunidad Valenciana. The 1998 program was the inaugural Spain program under semesters and, because of the change in the Earlham's academic calendar, it was decided to house the program entirely in Valencia. The Earlham College Program in Spain, Spring Semester 2002, will again be located in Valencia.
Valencia is situated on the Mediterranean coast and is Spain's third largest city. Because of its natural bay, warm climate and rich soil, the area has been fought over throughout history and was conquered successively by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and Muslims. One of Spain's legendary heroes, El Cid, wrested Valencia from the Muslims in the 11th century and made it his fiefdom for numerous years. Because Valencia is situated in an especially fertile region of Spain and located on the Mediterranean coast, it quickly rose to the status of being an economic power within the Iberian peninsula during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The 16th century marked the high point of Valencian cultural and economic reign (known as the siglo de oro valenciano), characterized by outstanding literary production: Joanot Martorell, author of the book Tirant lo Blanc (sometimes called the first European novel although the Quijote more commonly takes that honor); and the authors Ausias March, Ruig de Corella, Isabel de Villena, Jordi de Sant Jordi y Jaume Riog all lived and worked in Valencia during this time.
Valencia, since its beginnings as a kingdom, enjoyed an independent government. During the Wars of Succession (the Carlist wars) in the first half of the 19th century, Valencia supported Carlos de Austria (Hapsburg royal family). When the Bourbons (the other side) won, Felipe V outlawed the longstanding legislative system and Valencia was folded into the national state and the city plus the surrounding area was designated a province. During the First Republic late in the 19th century, Valencia again obtained autonomous status with the creation of the Comunidad Valenciana.
Valencian history in the 20th century more or less mirrors its more famous regional neighbor, Cataluña. The people of the region have gained the reputation through the centuries of being very independent. Valenciano, the regional language, is spoken still (even if it is not as predominant as Catalán is in Cataluña and certainly not as common as Menorquí in Menorca). It would seem logical, then, that the majority of the people would support political stances and movements that promoted a confederated (or autonomous as it is called in Spain) governmental system rather than a strongly controlling federal system. When Franco and his Falange forces won the Spanish Civil War in 1939, Valencia (along with Cataluña, the País Vasco, and Galicia) was targeted as a region that needed to be "controlled" so to speak and be forced to lose its "rebellious, independent ways." After Franco died and Spain's government evolved into a constitutional monarchy, the regions in Spain were once again allowed to form themselves into (more or less) independent governmental states (called Comunidades or Autonomías) based on commonly perceived and self-imposed historical and cultural differences between the regions. Valencia (the old province) plus the provinces of Alicante and Castellón form current Comunidad Valenciana.
The 2002 program begins on January 8 in Madrid. We will stay in Madrid for a two-day on-site orientation until January 10 when we move to Valencia. After another few days of getting to know Valencia, students will begin a two-week intensive Catalán language class on January 14. It is during these initial two weeks that students will also begin work on their field studies. Regular classes begin Monday, January 28. In addition to language and literature classes and their field study, students will take a course in Valencia's political history and 20th century Spanish art. Students will have the opportunity of attending various cultural events, such as film and theater, and a lecture series on issues relating to Spain, its history and cultures. Students will also be exposed to the rich variety of Spanish cultures through various excursions planned throughout the semester. The last day of classes is May 10; the last day of exams is May 14. After the end-of-program festivities on May 15, the program officially ends the morning of Thursday, May 16. Students may leave Valencia at that time.
Many students stay on for a couple of days at their own expense. Other students spend some time after the program traveling throughout Spain and the rest of Europe. A few students may opt to continue studies in Spain with the Environmental Sciences May Term Menorca. If you are interested in the May Term course, you should contact Mic Jackson for more information and register for the course during the 2001 fall registration for 2002 spring courses.
