Course Catalogue > 2009-2010 Catalogue > Courses of Instruction > Classical and Modern Languages > Modern Languages > Spanish (SPA)

Spanish (SPA)

Major: A minimum of eight course credits in Spanish at or above the 300 level, which include SPA 301, 311, 411, two elective courses (in Spanish or in other areas approved by the Department as relevant to the Spanish major), and at least one course in each of the following categories:

Culture: SPA 381, 383, 385, or Topics in Culture
Peninsular Literature: SPA 321, 322, 351, 352, or Topics in Peninsular Literature
Latin American Literature: SPA 355, 356, or Topics in Latin American Literature

Teaching Major: A minimum of nine course credits, which include SPA 301, 311, 411; LAL 308 (Language Teaching Methodology); one course in each of the following categories:

Culture: 381, 383, 385, or Topics in Culture
Peninsular Literature: SPA 321, 322, 351, 352, or Topics in Peninsular Literature
Latin American Literature: SPA 355, 356, or Topics in Latin American Literature
Language and Linguistics: ENG 311 (Grammar and the Politics of English), LAL 352 (Linguistics), or SPA 305;
and one other course, either in Spanish at or above the 300 level or in another area approved by the Department as relevant to the Spanish major.

In addition to the foregoing requirements, prospective teachers must also apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program (preferably at the start of their sophomore year) and complete coursework leading to secondary certification described under Education. Prospective teachers should request a current list of the specific course requirements from the Education Office.

Minor: A minimum of five course credits in Spanish at or above the 300 level which include 301, 311, one elective (in Spanish or in another area approved by the Department), and one course in each of two of the following categories:

Latin American Studies Major: see Latin American Studies.

Courses taught in Mexico, Bolivia, and Spain: see 201, 206, 302, 303, and 381 below.

Note: Lectures and discussions in all 300- and 400-level courses are in Spanish.

101-102-103. Beginning Spanish I, II, & III
Essentials of grammar stressing skills in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing with classroom activities promoting conversational skills. Short readings for cultural awareness and vocabulary development.

201. Basic Spanish
Independent, supervised study for students at the beginning or intermediate level who wish to improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Spanish in an approved language school in Latin America or Spain. Students take a placement test before and after the term and the department assigns credit at a level reflecting students' accomplishments. Consult with Spanish faculty for additional information. (CR)

205. Intermediate Spanish
Review of basic grammar with a special emphasis on writing, speaking, and reading. Literary selections and cultural material from Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: SPA 103.

206. Intermediate Spanish Abroad
Same as SPA 205 but taught in Mexico or Bolivia. The final course in the B.A. language requirement offered off campus. Includes a homestay with a Mexican or Bolivian family. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisites: SPA 103 and permission of instructor. Offered two out of three years.

280/380. Internship: see Courses 280/380.

290/390. Individual Project: see Courses 290/390.

301. Composition and Conversation
Intensive practice in speaking and writing Spanish designed to improve pronunciation and develop oral and written fluency. Emphasis on expanding vocabulary and developing cultural awareness. Daily writing assignments. Frequent oral presentations and class discussions. Required of all Spanish majors. Prerequisite: SPA 205 or 206.

302. Advanced Conversation Abroad
Taught in Mexico or Bolivia and designed for students who wish to achieve a higher level of fluency and a comprehensive understanding of life in Mexico or Bolivia. Includes a homestay with a Mexican or Bolivian family. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisites: SPA 205 or 206 and permission of instructor. Offered two out of three years.

303. Advanced Spanish Abroad
Alternative to 302 for advanced students who wish to study Spanish on their own in an approved language school in Latin America or Spain. Intended for students interested in achieving a high level of fluency and a comprehensive understanding of life in a Hispanic country. Includes a homestay. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisites: SPA 205 or 206 and permission of the Department.

305. Advanced Spanish Grammar
Intensive study of Spanish grammar with an emphasis on those aspects of the language which are problematic for the advanced student. Prerequisite: SPA 205 or 206. Alternate years.

311. Introduction to Textual Analysis
Development of reading strategies and skills needed for analyzing and understanding literary texts. Organized around a topic, literary genre, period, or major writer and chosen to meet the needs of students who are just beginning upper-level coursework in Spanish. Special attention given to vocabulary development and to the advanced grammar required for understanding literary/cultural texts. Required of all Spanish majors. Prerequisite: SPA 301, 302, or 303. (Humanities)

321. Golden Age: Romancero and the Comedia
Heroes, legends, history, and the development of a national consciousness seen through popular ballads. The national theatre as an expression of Spanish ideals and aspirations: Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, and Calderon de la Barca. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) LACY-SALAZAR

322. Golden Age: Don Quijote
Don Quijote in the context of the literature of the age. Readings from Amadis de Gaula, Lazarillo de Tormes, El abencerraje y la hermosa Jarifa. Renaissance and Baroque elements, contribution to the modern novel, universal themes and cinematographic interpretations. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) LACY-SALAZAR

351. Twentieth Century Peninsular Novel and Poetry
Spanish novel and poetry from the "Generation of 1898" to the present, with emphasis on representations of the human condition in Unamuno, Baroja, A. Machado, and Garcia Lorca. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) FARRINGTON-CLUTE

352. Modern Hispanic Theatre
Theatre of Spain and Latin America in the twentieth century, including Valle-Inclan's esperpento, Garcia Lorca's lyric tragedy, and the experiment with magical realism in Latin America. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) FARRINGTON-CLUTE

355. Latin American Short Story and Novel
Representative modern fiction: novel of protest, magical realism, and fantasy in the short story and novel of the "Boom." Authors include Quiroga, Garro, Ocampo, Valenzuela, Borges, Cortazar, Rulfo, Fuentes, and Garcia Marquez. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) LACY-SALAZAR

356. Latin American Poetry
Poetry from Modernism to the present, with emphasis on the encounter between reality and the poet and the creation of a new poetic world. Poets include Ruben Dario, women of 1910-20, Cesar Vallejo, and Pablo Neruda. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) FARRINGTON-CLUTE

365 through 369. Advanced Topics in Spanish
Selected topics in the literature and culture of the Hispanic world. See Topics Courses. (Humanities)

381. Peninsular Culture and Civilization
Origins, development, and significance of various aspects of Spanish civilization, with special emphasis on how these influence contemporary economic, political, sociological, and artistic forces within Spain. Taught in Spain. Registration entails additional costs. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) OCHOA-SHIVAPOUR

383. Latinos in the U.S.
Origins, development, and significance of various aspects of Latino life in the United States. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) OCHOA-SHIVAPOUR

385. Latin American Culture and Civilization
Study of the most important cultural and political issues in Latin American civilization from Columbus to the present day. Chronicles, essays, and public speeches provide the main texts and sources of information for discussions. Prerequisite: SPA 311. Offered every third year. (Humanities) OCHOA-SHIVAPOUR

411. Seminar
In-depth studies in the literature and culture of Spain and Latin America. Required of all Spanish majors. Prerequisites: at least two 300-level Spanish courses above SPA 311. May be repeated once for credit if topics are different. FARRINGTON-CLUTE, LACY-SALAZAR, or OCHOA-SHIVAPOUR

501. Theatre in Spanish–Workshop (1/4)
Group reading, discussion, and preparation of one or more Latin American or Spanish plays, with attention to meaning, interpretation, staging, and costuming. Rehearsals and performances in Spanish. Prerequisites: knowledge of Spanish and permission of instructor. (CR) FARRINGTON-CLUTE, LACY-SALAZAR, or OCHOA-SHIVAPOUR

511. Spanish Reading and Conversation Group (1/4)
Maintenance of Spanish language skills through reading and conversation. (CR)

941. Costa Rica: Studies in Latin American Cutlure and Society: see Costa Rica: Studies in Latin American Culture and Society (ACM).

942. Costa Rica: Tropical Field Research: see Costa Rica: Tropical Field Research (ACM).

988. There are semester programs in Spain, Central America, and South America run by the School for International Training. In addition to language and culture studies, many of these programs have a special theme, e.g., Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Social Justice, the Arts, and Language Immersion.