Discovering Spain is an interactive textbook that covers 13 chapters with some of the latest information about the second largest country geographically in the European Union. Apart from the usual text, each chapter contains multiple hyperlinks to expand the main body text and also each chapter includes a section called ‘discussion’ with questions for the students to answer. Written in English, its primarily goal is to attract students in General Education and Liberal Arts who have an interest in Spanish culture. Because of the nature of these courses that are taught in English, this eBook has been intentionally written in English. Also, most Spanish programs in North American universities normally include a second-year course taught in English about Spanish culture. Ultimately, this textbook aspires to create a bridge between those students who are registered in a minor/major program in Spanish as well as to attract other students with an interest in Spain. This inclusiveness of Discovering Spain extends to the broad range of students around the world, and offers a factual, lively, and sometimes inevitably political view of contemporary Spain.
Chapter 1: Geography
Demographics
Ethnic Minorities
Entry Requirements
Weathers
Flora and Fauna
Natural Resources
Camino de Santiago
Chapter 2: History
Historical Facts
Loss of the Last Colonies
Two Dictatorships in the Twentieth Century
La Transición
The Transition 2.0
Chapter 3: Language
Origins
Official Languages in Spain
Status of the Spanish Language in the World
Chapter 4: Politics
Flag and Capital of Spain
Some Important Documents
Spanish Constitution
The Armed Forces
The Ombudsman
Territorial and Administrative Organization
Chapter 5: Gender
Global Perspective
Spanish Historical Context
Domestic Violence and Discrimination
Chapter 6: Architecture
World Heritage Sites
Arab and Jewish Legacy
Diverse (Multi)Local Styles
Famous Local Architects
Chapter 7: Painting
Important Museums and Great Spanish Artists
Searching New Painters in the Twenty-First Century
Chapter 8: Gastronomy
Irritating Foodies but with an Obesity Problem Too
Mealtimes
Traditional Dishes
Modern Cuisine
Best chefs and restaurants with Michelin stars
The Wine Industry
Chapter 9: Covid-19
A Global Pandemic with Different Approaches
Late Estado de Alarma
Lessons from Canada and Italy
Chapter 10: Unemployment
The Perpetual Pain of Spain
Chapter 11: Nationalisms
Spanish Citizenship?
Transforming Spain 3
Café para todos
Victims of a Scam
Chapter 12: Multiculturalism
Is Spain a Multicultural Country?
Spain’s Lack of a Multiculturalism Policy
Immigration and Diaspora
Chapter 13: Bullfighting
La fiesta nacional
The Bullfighting Legacy
New Statistics and Changes on Bullfighting
Enrique A. Lopez
After spending ten years in the UK where he finished his degree in Hispanic Studies, and then he obtained his MA in Latin American Studies from the University of Liverpool (1996) and his Ph.D from the University of Durham (2003), in 2004 he moved to Calgary (Canada) where he has been working as a Spanish Professor for Mount Royal University. Over the past fifteen years he has published around forty peer reviewed articles in different academic fields as well as three books, which highlight three major areas of his research –Spanish feminism, Contemporary Spanish Cinema and Literature from Spain and the Hispanic Caribbean, and, Hispanism. In 2017 he became Full Professor of Iberian Studies at Mount Royal University. He currently lives and works in Calgary with his wife and two children.
