Spanish
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
101, 102 Beginning Spanish
(4 s.h. each) An introductory course designed to teach the student the basics of Spanish language. The goal of this two-semester sequence is to develop basic proficiency in Spanish in the four skills: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. For students who have never studied Spanish before or have taken only one year of Spanish in high school. Students with more than two years of Spanish may NOT take Spanish 101 or 102.
150 Spanish Conversation
(3 s.h.) Study Abroad. The student who is at an early stage of language study concentrates on the development of communication skills in everyday situations. Extensive use will be made of videos and 118 audio tapes. Class conducted in Spanish.
151, 152 Intermediate Spanish
(4 s.h. each) This two-semester sequence continues to develop the student’s proficiency in Spanish language, enabling students to communicate successfully in everyday situations. They will also build on their reading and writing skills. For students who have taken two or three years of Spanish in high school. Students with more than three years of Spanish may NOT take Spanish 151 or 152. *Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or equivalent.
201 Advanced Spanish
(3 s.h.) Intensive grammar review and amplification of knowledge of grammatical principles enable the student to achieve greater accuracy and idiomatic flavor in the use of oral and written language. Particular emphasis is given to developing reading and writing skills. Regular practice in controlled and free conversation. *Prerequisite: SPAN 152 or equivalent.
204 Business Spanish
(3 s.h.) Study of the language, documents, and formats used in common business contexts. Students will also develop an understanding of cultural-based behaviors that govern commercial interactions in the Spanish speaking world.
205 Spanish Composition
(3 s.h.) A writing course designed to develop the student’s ability to write critical essays in Spanish. Special attention is given to developing strategies for planning, developing, and organizing a scholarly writing assignment from the first to the final draft. *Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or permission of Instructor.
210 Advanced Spanish Conversation
(3 s.h.) Study Abroad. Intensive oral training designed to help the student achieve more sophisticated expression in Spanish, along with good pronunciation and intonation and a reasonable degree of speed. *Prerequisite: SPAN 152 or the equivalent.
215 Let’s Talk About Movies/Hablemos de Cine
(3 s.h.) A conversation course for students interested in improving their speaking and listening skills. We will watch a selection of Latin American and Spanish movies and discuss the language and cultural issues presented. The movies also provide an excellent example of natural language in context. Students will develop techniques for understanding oral language, will learn to identify different regional accents, and will acquire advanced level speaking skill. *Prerequisite: SPAN 152.
216 Women Writers in Spanish
(3 s.h.) This course focuses on the works of outstanding women writers from Spain and Latin America. We will study the tradition of women’s writing in Spanish language: What are its characteristics? Who are the founding/canonical authors of this tradition? How do contemporary writers relate to this tradition? The texts will be treated analytically, we will analyze form, structure, and rhetorical strategies. *Prerequisite: SPAN 205 or the equivalent.
218 May Term Abroad
(3 s.h.) Study Abroad. Students spend the May Term abroad, where they live with native families while attending language and culture classes taught by native professors. With an MBC director, students visit museums and monuments of artistic and historic interest. All travel and other expenses abroad are in addition to the MBC tuition already paid for the semester. Provides a total immersion experience. *Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
227 U.S. Latino Literature and Culture
(3 s.h.) Students learn about the main Latino communities in the United States: Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans, and read and discuss fictional and non-fictional texts from these Latino groups. They also watch several movies that explore the experience of Latino life in the US. Taught in English. Students who wish to count this course for the major or minor are required to write their term essay in Spanish.
232 Topics in Hispanic Culture
(3 s.h.) This course explores the political, cultural and social relations between Spain and Latin America through the study of historical, cultural, and literary texts, and of films that deal with this transatlantic subject. In order to do this, we will analyze a wide variety of cultural expressions: movies, music, art, web pages, and religious celebrations, among others. *Prerequisite: SPAN 205. Fall semester.
241 Topics in Hispanic Literature
(3 s.h.) The topic dealt with during the semester is selected to accord with the interests and needs of the students enrolled. It may be an entire period in Spanish or Latin-American literature, a literary movement, a specific work or author. Class taught in Spanish. *Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
246 Approaches to Hispanic Literature
(3 s.h.) Introduction to literary analysis through close readings and interpretation of representative works by major Latin American and Spanish writers. Students will learn to identify texts of different genres, and will become acquainted with the styles of the different periods of Hispanic literary history. Throughout the course, the students will acquire the appropriate vocabulary and the critical skills that will allow them to write critical essays and comment on what a text says and how it says it. *Prerequisite: SPAN 205 or permission of the instructor.
324 Contemporary Latin-American Fiction
(3 s.h.) We will read novels and short stories of contemporary Latin American writers. Through reading these works, as well as critical texts, students acquire an understanding of the development of Latin-American narrative and insight into important aspects of Latin-American culture. *Prerequisite: SPAN 205.
325 Spanish Literature of the Golden Age
(3 s.h.) The literary works in poetry, prose, and theatre of the 16th and 17th centuries play a pivotal role in Hispanic literature and culture; their study is fundamental to understanding the literary tradition of Spanish language. Students will acquire insight into important aspects of the Spanish Renaissance and Baroque. *Prerequisite: SPAN 205.
400 Senior Seminar
(3 s.h.) A required course for all Spanish and Spanish combined majors. Students pursue research on a theme or issue of their choice approved by their thesis supervisor. Throughout the semester, students give three oral presentations of their work, which will be evaluated. The work culminates in an oral presentation and a research paper in Spanish.
