Course Descriptions

SPAN 111: Introduction to Spanish Language and the Spanish-Speaking World I

Students begin learning Spanish in an intercultural context. The course introduces the Spanish-speaking world through exploration of topics, for example: the geography of the Spanish speaking world; Mexico, our neighbor; and ecotourism. In-class speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities are complemented by attendance at two required culture tables. Open only to students who place into Spanish 111. Offered fall semester only.  Does not count toward Spanish major.

SPAN 112: Introduction to Spanish Language and the Spanish-Speaking World II

Students continue learning Spanish in an intercultural context. The course continues to examine the Spanish-speaking world through exploration of topics, for example: cities and urban life; housing; and the historical roots of culinary traditions and food production. In-class speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities are complemented by attendance at two required culture tables. Offered each semester and January Term. Does not count toward Spanish major.  Prerequisite: SPAN 111 or placement into SPAN 112.

SPAN 231: Intercultural Connections in Global World: U.S. & Spanish-Speaking World

Through exploring the material and human diversity of the Spanish-speaking world and important connections among the United States, the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America, and Spain, students develop increasingly complex skills for analyzing and communicating in Spanish. An examination of geography, environmental challenges and solutions, development, demographic changes, and ethnic diversity highlights the intersection of cultural, economic, and environmental realities. Required attendance at three conversation tables. This intermediate I-level Spanish course is offered each semester and during January Term. Does not count toward Spanish major.  Prerequisite: SPAN 112 or placement into SPAN 231.

SPAN 232: Latinx Experiences in the United States

Students explore the diverse cultural histories and identities of Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, and Puerto Ricans (among other Latinx groups) by considering how ethnicity, race, language, gender, and social class manifest themselves in U.S. histories of citizenry, immigration, economy, and education through generations of Latinxs. Class activities foster analysis of historical and autobiographical texts to reflect on how power and privilege intersect and shape students’ own experiences. Attendance at cultural events required. This intermediate II-level Spanish course is offered every semester and during January Term.  Does not count toward Spanish major.  Prerequisite: SPAN 231 or placement.

SPAN 240: Politics and Environment in Puerto Rico (off-campus)

This academic civic engagement course explores the culture of Puerto Rico, including its politics, national identity, folklore, and the environment. Students travel to Puerto Rico (a territory of the U.S.A.), where they read and analyze authentic materials in Spanish and participate in talks and discussions with local professors, college students, and community leaders. Among the topics explored are colonialism, religion, citizenship, tourism, gentrification, natural disasters, race, and sustainability. Offered periodically during January Term. Apply through International and Off-Campus Studies. Does not count toward Spanish major. Counts toward Latin American studies major and concentration.  Prerequisites: SPAN 232 or SPAN 233 or placement into SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 250: Family and Gender Roles in Spain: 1900 to Present

Students explore the topic of family and gender roles in Spanish society by analyzing cultural documents (literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work). This cultural analysis provides for the development of critical reading and writing skills (e.g., description, narration, exposition, and argumentation). Taught in Spanish. Offered each semester. Also counts toward gender and sexuality studies and Latin American studies majors and family studies and gender and sexuality studies concentrations. Prerequisite: SPAN 232 or placement into SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 251: Gender and Race in Modern Latin America

Students explore diverse experiences of modern Latin America through the lenses of gender and race, which provide a productive framework for examining economic, class, and other key aspects of Latin American society. Students will work with a variety of sources, both literary and non-literary, including articles, images, documents, and a Latin American novel. This cultural analysis provides for the development of critical reading and writing skills (e.g., description, narration, exposition, and argumentation) used in advanced-level Spanish courses. Taught in Spanish. Offered each semester. Counts toward Gender & Sexuality Studies, RACE, and Latin American studies majors, Also counts toward Latin American Studies, RACE, and Gender & Sexuality Studies concentrations.  Prerequisites: SPAN 232 or placement into SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 270: Spain’s Cultural and Linguistic Legacy (abroad)

This topics course explores a Spanish peninsular cultural, literary, and/or linguistic theme from a base in Spain through analysis and discussion of texts, guest lectures, excursions to appropriate cultural sites, field research, and related experiential activities. Sample topics include: Christians, Jews, and Muslims in Spain; Spain’s Autonomous Communities; and Spain’s Multilingual and Multicultural Landscape. Taught in Spanish. Offered alternate years during January Term. Apply through International and Off-Campus Studies. Also counts toward Latin American studies major. Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 271: Cultures of Spain

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped Spanish culture through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop critical analysis skills through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. This course includes the study of selected literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered periodically.. Also counts toward Latin American studies major. Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 272: Cultures of Latin America

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped Latin American culture through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop critical analysis skills through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. The course features the study of selected literary and non-literary texts, including at least one substantive literary work. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered periodically. Also counts toward Latin American studies major.  Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 273: Cultures of the Latinx/a/o U.S.

Students examine the diverse elements that have shaped the cultures of U.S. Hispanics and Latinx through an exploration of political, social, economic, religious, and artistic topics. They develop critical analysis through reading, discussion, and written and/or oral projects. Students examine processes of identity and inclusion, and its connections to historical narratives. Students analyze materials through an intersectional lens of race, colorism, language, generational differences, class, gender, and sexuality. Taught in Spanish. Offered every three semesters. Also counts toward race and ethnic studies major and concentration.  Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 274: Contemporary Issues in the Spanish-Speaking World

Students analyze selected contemporary issues in the Spanish-speaking world. Using readings from the press, academic sources, and governmental as well as non-governmental documents, students read, discuss, and write about issues at an advanced level of linguistic and analytical sophistication. The course includes study of at least one substantive literary work. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Also counts toward Latin American studies major and management studies concentration.   Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 275: Exploring Hispanic Literature

In this introduction to literary terminology and to principles of literary analysis across genres, literary texts (including poetry, short stories, theater, and novel) are studied in their socio-historical context. In different semesters, the focus may be literature of the Mexican Revolution, urban and rural life, or another topic chosen by the instructor. Taught in Spanish. Offered each semester.  Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 276: Spanish as a First and Second Language

Students explore the processes involved in the acquisition of Spanish as a first and second language and the variation present in the language of both native and non-native speakers of Spanish from Spain, Latin America, and the U.S. Hispanic linguistics are studied with special attention paid to socio-cultural as well as structural aspects. The course includes the study of at least one substantive literary work. Taught in Spanish. Offered each semester. Also counts toward race and ethnic studies major and linguistic studies and race and ethnic studies concentrations. Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251.

SPAN 294: Academic Internship

SPAN 298: Independent Study

SPAN 311: Language in Society

What is the role of language in our society? What is the impact of bilingualism in the U.S.? Students explore such questions from current Spanish socio-linguistics research. Through analysis of data, students examine issues of language contact, variation and change, language and gender, language and power, and/or language planning. May be repeated if topic is different. This course includes the study of at least one substantive literary work. Taught in Spanish. Offered alternate years. Also counts toward race and ethnic studies major and linguistic studies and race and ethnic studies concentrations.
Prerequisites: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251 and SPAN 276.

SPAN 312: Voices of the Spanish-Speaking World

Students examine political, economic, religious and/or social issues through textual analysis of literary and/or non-literary works representing diverse voices of the Spanish-speaking world (e.g. indigenous people, women, non-Castilian nationalities in Spain, or Afro-Hispanic groups). The course includes study of at least one substantive literary work. Sample topics include: Women and Repression or The Afro-Hispanic Struggle for Identity. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered annually.  Prerequisites: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251 and at least one 270-level course.

SPAN 313: Literature and Society in Spain

Students explore one or more periods, genres, or topics of Spanish literature from its beginnings to the 21st century. Selected literary works are analyzed within their socio-historical and cultural contexts and in reference to pertinent critical or theoretical issues. Sample topics include: Sin and the Church in Medieval Literature, The Stage as Political Propaganda in Imperial Spain, and Federico García Lorca: Voices of the Oppressed. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered annually.  Prerequisite: SPAN 275.

SPAN 314: Literature and Society in Latin America

Students explore one or more periods, genres, or topics from Pre-Columbian times to the 21st century. Selected literary works are analyzed within their socio-historical and cultural contexts and in reference to pertinent critical or theoretical issues. Sample topics include: The Shaping of Latin America; Personalism and Politics; Love and Magical Realism; and Literary Representations of Kitchens, Cooking, and Eating in Latin America. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered annually.   Prerequisite: SPAN 275.

SPAN 315: Comparative “Hispanidades”

Students explore a topic pertinent to more than one geographic area of the Spanish-speaking world (Spain, Latin America, and/or the Hispanic U.S.). Students focus on comparative analysis through reading, discussion and writing in Spanish. The course includes study of at least one substantive literary work. Sample topics include: Dictatorship and Literature, and Language and Identity. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Offered periodically.  Prerequisite: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251 and at least one 270-level course.

SPAN 394: Academic Internship

SPAN 399: Seminar in Spanish Studies

Students examine important issues in the Spanish-speaking world related to language, literature, history, or culture. Emphasis is given to close reading, discussion, analysis, and interpretation of selected sources, including the application of appropriate theoretical or disciplinary approaches. Topics vary according to the areas of expertise and professional interests of departmental faculty. May be repeated if topic is different. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisites: SPAN 250 or SPAN 251 and at least one 270-level course.