Spanish

Classes in the Spanish program will prepare you for a career that puts your knowledge of a foreign language to good use. Along with your core foreign language coursework, you’ll take classes such as Elementary and Intermediate Spanish, Literary and Cultural Readings, and Hispanic Literature. You’ll have unique and dynamic internships to pursue. You’ll have numerous off-campus and on-campus ways to practice your language. And when you graduate, you’ll be ready to make an impact in the workforce right away.

To learn more, you can also view the program strengths and learning outcomes for this program.

Students looking to get a major in Spanish will complete a variety of Spanish language, linguistics, and culture courses. Students will also be required to earn six credits in study-abroad courses.

• Intermediate Spanish I: An intermediate course that continues the study of the language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills. Some attention given to the nature of language. Emphasis on the development of cultural understanding and sensitivity, with a study of the people’s values and beliefs as expressed in their economic, political, and religious systems. Comparison of this culture with our culture in the light of the cultural mandate.
• Intermediate Spanish II: This is a second intermediate Spanish course that provides students with continued opportunities to strengthen their language skills, to develop their cultural competency, and to reinforce their knowledge and use of grammatical structures. Its focus is on communicating in meaningful contexts to further develop and consolidate students’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. This course will be conducted in Spanish.
• Literary and Cultural Readings: Designed to strengthen speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Spanish through a variety of readings, to develop the ability to value diverse communities and an appreciation for Hispanic cultures and literature. This course will be conducted in Spanish.
• Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition I: This course includes an in-depth study and practice of Spanish grammar and a rigorous component in writing. Emphasis is given to more complex grammatical structures that tend to present difficulties for learners of Spanish as a foreign or second language. The course will be conducted in Spanish.
• Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition II: Continues an in-depth study and practice of Spanish grammar and a rigorous component in writing. The course will be conducted in Spanish.
• Hispanic Literature: An understanding and a historical introduction to Hispanic narrative, poetry, and drama. A study of each genre’s origins, major developments, and figurative language will engage students in analytical exercises. An overview of periods, movements, significant authors, and literary currents in Spain and Latin America. This course will be conducted in Spanish.
• Hispanic Cultures and Civilizations: Designed to give insight into Hispanic cultures and civilizations, and a more global understanding of the issues and challenges that the Spanish-speaking world has faced and is facing. Listening and speaking abilities will be enhanced through classroom activities. The course will be conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 201 or 202 or equivalent; or permission of instructor.
• Puerto Rico: Language, Culture, and Society: Explore the historical roots and influences shaping Puerto Rico while improving your Spanish skills or learning some Spanish for the first time. Emphasis is placed on understanding the challenges and potential of Puerto Rico today. Students will engage in contact with locals through service projects, travel to different historical sights, and explore Puerto Rico’s abundant natural beauty. Daily excursions will supplement onsite instruction and exploration. Spanish is not a prerequisite for this course.
• Applied Linguistics and Spanish Phonology: An in-depth study of specific areas of linguistics, such as neurolinguistics (brain and language), psycholinguistics (language acquisition), computational linguistics (computer processing and language), and language change (how language has changed and still changes). One third of the course is geared at the special interests of the students. Spanish students will study the phonology (the study of sound patterns) of Spanish and learn how to teach Spanish pronunciation.
• Spanish Phonology: Students will study the phonology (the study of sound patterns) of Spanish and learn how to teach Spanish pronunciation. This one-credit lab is meant for students who are also registered for Linguistics 301 because they want to graduate with both an ESL and a Spanish education endorsement.
• Introduction to Linguistics: An introduction to the basic principles of linguistics, including phonetics (the sounds of language), morphology (the words of language), syntax (the sentence patterns of language), and sociolinguistics (how language functions in society). Data from different dialects of English and a variety of other languages will be used. Special attention will be given to a biblical view on language.
• Elementary Spanish II: Continuation of Spanish 101. The course includes a weekly session with advanced students or native speakers to practice oral skills.
• World Literature I: This course offers the study of ancient and medieval texts that are foundational to any study of history, culture, literature and art. It will deal with the major forms of ancient literature, including epic poetry, tragedies, comedies, and lyric poetry. It will discuss the historical transition from literature written during the pre-Christian to the Christian era. Although emphasis may be placed on the ancient literatures foundational to Western Civilization (e.g., Hebrew, Greek, Roman), the instructor may use ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Hindu, Chinese or other influential literatures from elsewhere in the world.
• World Literature II: This course discusses the major literary texts from the Enlightenment to the 20th century, focusing only on texts from the non-English-speaking world. Texts may be chosen from France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Africa, or anywhere else besides the United Kingdom and the United States. The instructor may connect these texts to discuss historical trends and important issues, such as science, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization.
• Special Topics: The topics for these courses will be chosen from areas of literature, advanced language studies, culture, or teaching methods. The offering of the course as well as the content will reflect student interest and need.
• Individual Studies
• Conversation: Designed to give the student practice in listening and speaking. The content of the courses will be altered each year. The class will meet two times each week.

See the course catalog for more information.