Foreign Language Department: Spanish Courses

SPAN 101, 102 Elementary Spanish I,II (3,3)

Designed to enable students with no prior study of Spanish to develop the communicative skills of understanding, reading, writing and speaking Spanish.  Presents fundamentals of pronunciation, basic grammatical structures, readings and cultural assignments.

SPAN 103, 104 Advanced Elementary I, II (3,3)

Designed for students with one year of high school Spanish or equivalent.  (Exceptions must have written approval from foreign language chair.)  Reviews pronunciation and grammar beginning with an intensive review of present tense and basic thematic vocabulary.  Attention also given to the development of writing skills and reading comprehension within a cultural framework.

SPAN 201, 202 Spanish for the Social and Public Service Professional I, II (3,3)

Designed for students with two years of high school Spanish or equivalent with majors dealing with the increasing Hispanic population in the United States.  Reviews basic Spanish pronunciation and grammar in the context of specialized professional vocabulary.  Attention given to conversational role-play, written expression and issues of cultural sensitivity.  Students who wish to continue their study of Conversational Spanish take Spanish 209.

SPAN 207, 208 Spanish for the Health Professional I, II (3,3)

Designed for students with two years of high school Spanish or equivalent with majors in health related fields including nurses, dieticians, physicians and physician assistants.  Reviews basic Spanish pronunciation and grammar in the context of specialized professional vocabulary.  Attention given to conversational role-play, written expression and issues of cultural sensitivity.  Follow up course for students wishing to continue study in Spanish 209.

SPAN 209 Conversational Spanish for the Public Service Professional (3)

Designed for students with three years of high school Spanish or equivalent with majors in service related fields.  Follow up course for Spanish 206 and 208.  Designed to further develop speaking and writing skills with emphasis on dealing with issues concerning the increasing Hispanic population in the U.S.

SPAN 211, 212 Intermediate Spanish I, II  (3,3)

Designed for students with two to three years of high school Spanish or the equivalent.  Emphasizes the acquisition of communicative skills within a culturally significant context. Reviews the basics of Spanish grammar. Uses readings to give an understanding of Spanish and Spanish-American culture and lifestyles. Provides opportunities for practice in conversation. 

SPAN 223 Spanish for Reading and Review (3)

Designed for students with four years of high school Spanish or equivalent. Emphasizes reading and writing strategies so that students may continue studying Spanish at the advanced level.  Fundamental grammar structures will be reviewed in the context of reading.  Conversational practice through class discussions and oral presentations.

SPAN 275 Conversational Spanish (3)

Follow up course for Spanish 223.  Seeks primarily to increase the level of student communication skills in Spanish. Designed to stimulate the spontaneous use of spoken Spanish.

SPAN 280 Contemporary Cultural Trends in Spanish-Speaking Films (3)

This course explores the culture, social issues, art, and ideologies of Spanish-speaking countries through award-winning films. The course objectives involve the further development of conversational as well as critical thinking skills in Spanish. All the films discussed have been created by Spanish and Hispanic directors, and all will be shown in the original language.

SPAN 290 Visions Of Spain Through Art And Literature (3)

Spanish 290 traces the historical, political, religious and artistic past of Spain through the works of master artists such as El Greco, Velazquez, Goya, Picasso, Dali. Unamuno, Garcia Lorca and Banuel among others. The course includes a 10 day visit to Spain over Spring Break. Please consult the Foreign Language Department for further details and options.

SPAN 300 Intensive Grammar Review (3)

A review and in-depth study of the most common issues in Spanish grammar: ser and estar, por and para, subjunctive, imperfect and preterite, pronouns, etc. Written and oral reinforcement exercises will complement this active learning course.

SPAN 302, 303 Introduction to Hispanic Literature I, II (3,3)

An introductory course treating major works in fiction, poetry and drama from Spain and Latin America: involves the study of primary historical, artistic and literary works with readings and analyses of each point.

SPAN 304 Hispanic Short Story (3)

Offers students the opportunity to improve their communication skills through the study of literary selections and exposes them to the rich and exciting literature of the Hispanic world.

SPAN 310 Contemporary Hispanic Issues (3)

Offers an in-depth look at the recent trends, issues, and changes in the Spanish-speaking world, related to such areas as culture, business, education, politics and history.

SPAN 321 Literature of the Golden Age (3)

Focuses on sixteenth and seventeenth century authors, with reading and analysis of their works. Especially emphasizes the great dramatists.

SPAN 325 Latin American Culture and Civilization (3)

A study of the political, historical, economic and cultural development of Latin America from the pre-Columbian civilizations to the present.

SPAN 330 Advanced Spanish Composition and Conversation (3)

Presents advanced grammar with emphasis on the finer points of grammar and on idiomatic forms.

SPAN 333 Spanish Culture and Civilization (3)

A study of the political, historical, economic, social and cultural development of Spain throughout the centuries. This course is devoted to the history and civilization of Spain up to the encounter of the peoples of Spanish America.

SPAN 337 Commercial Spanish (3)

Designed for International Business Majors and related fields.  Highlights professional business vocabulary, correspondence and issues of cultural sensitivity when doing business in the Hispanic world.

SPAN 338 Hispanic Literature of Social Protest (3)

Focuses on Hispanic writers of fiction, poetry, essay and drama who have used their writings to challenge the cultural, social and political realities of the day.  Includes written and oral reports and readings of authors such as Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Ernesto Cardenal, Oscar Romero, García Lorca, Rigoberto Menchú.

SPAN 350 The Latino Condition in the U.S. (3)

This course will explore the main issues that concern the Spanish-speaking populations living in the United States. We will investigate how their bilingual and bicultural identities are shaped, how Latinos are represented in the media, the problems with borders and immigration, the Chicano literature, “Spanglish,” bilingualism in the U.S., gender issues, political and economic ramifications and the question of assimilation.

Methodologically speaking, this course will use case studies, a problem-based approach and the promotion of analytical and critical skills.

SPAN 421 Modern Spanish Novel (3)

Involves extensive study of some important novels of Spanish literature.  Includes written and oral reports and covers authors such as Ana María Mature, Camilo Jose Cela, Carmen Martín Gaite, Ramón Sender, among others.

SPAN 423 Latin American Novel (3)

Involves extensive study of important novels of Latin American literature.  Includes written and oral reports and covers authors such as Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, Juan Rulfo, Carlos Fuentes, etc.

SPAN 499 Independent Study in Spanish (3)

Requires permission of the chairperson of the Foreign Languages Department. Study abroad and summer courses in Spanish, Mexican, or other Latin American universities are highly recommended.

All advanced Spanish courses may be studied abroad.