SPAN - Spanish

Course Descriptions

SPAN 1070 Intensive Introduction to Spanish: Level I (1-3)

This is a beginning-level course offered in a variety of formats. It teaches listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is to develop basic linguistic structures and vocabularies for specific needs: e.g. travel, business, medicine, law enforcement. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (INTC).

SPAN 1080 Intensive Introduction to Spanish: Level II (1-3)

This course is a continuation of SPAN 1070. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: SPAN 1070 or equivalent.

SPAN 1090 Introduction to Spanish (1-4)

Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and related cultures with this beginner-friendly course. Learn how to structure sentences in Spanish and recognize differences in vocabulary and pronunciation across variants of Spanish. Explore cultural links between Hispanic-speaking countries and the region where you are studying. Students will develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing and be able to express basic ideas in Spanish by the end of the course. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (INTC).

SPAN 1091 Language Lab (1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. 

SPAN 1100 Basic Communication in Spanish (1-4)

Express yourself in Spanish with growing confidence.  This beginning-level course builds conversational competence through interactive practice. You will also strengthen skills in Spanish writing and aural comprehension. You will be able to apply the language and intercultural skills you acquire to practical contexts—everyday social interactions, travel, and study abroad. By the end of the course, you will be able to manage simple communication tasks and converse on familiar topics.  May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair.  Prerequisite: SPAN 1090 or equivalent. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (OCOM).

SPAN 1101 Language Lab (1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. 

SPAN 2090 The Hispanic World (1-4)

Take your Spanish language skills beyond the basics towards an intermediate level of proficiency through an exploration of the diverse Hispanic world. This course develops your Spanish skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening through interactive discussions and the analysis of culturally relevant materials (articles, videos, songs, graphic novels, and more). Engage with guest speakers from countries and regions around the globe. Throughout the course, you will use the Spanish language to explore and reflect on diverse cultural practices and perspectives. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify the main ideas in texts on this topic and be able to hold simple conversation with native speakers. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: SPAN1100 or equivalent.

SPAN 2091 Language Lab (1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. 

SPAN 2100 Between the Lines: An Intermediate Spanish Reading Course (1-4)

Develop intermediate reading proficiency in Spanish by engaging with a wide variety of contemporary texts. Learn how to decode the significance of cultural artifacts (social media posts, short fiction, websites), academic and journalistic writing (articles), and bureaucratic forms. Looking for information and meaning in these texts will help you navigate different registers of the Spanish language (administrative, informal), reinforce your writing skills, and expand your vocabulary for a wide range of situations and tasks. Selected texts will also provide insight into contemporary Hispanic cultures. By the end of the course, you will be able to use Spanish language to interpret and reflect on diverse texts and perspectives. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair.  Prerequisite: SPAN 2090 or equivalent.

SPAN 2101 Language Lab (1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. . 

SPAN 2170 Intermediate Conversational Spanish (1-3)

Develops the vocabulary, linguistic structures, and cultural understanding needed for more successful communication in everyday situations. Includes a variety of audiovisual materials and task-oriented activities. It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with SPAN 2100. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 2090 or equivalent.

SPAN 2250 La cocina española e hispanoamericana (1-3)

A course on the art of Spanish and Latin American cooking, taught in Spanish. The contributions of the various cultural traditions -- European, Arabic, Jewish, and Indoamerican -- one finds at the basis of Spanish and Latin American cooking are explored. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 2100 or equivalent.

SPAN 3090 Advanced Spanish: Level I (1-3)

Provides a thorough review of Spanish linguistic structures. The goal is to strengthen previous language knowledge and to lead students to advanced levels of proficiency in spoken and written Spanish. May be repeated once for credit if content differs or with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: SPAN 2100 or equivalent.

SPAN 3091 Advanced Language Lab (1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. 

SPAN 3100 Advanced Spanish: Level II (1-3)

This course is a continuation of SPAN 3090. May be repeated once for credit if content differs or with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: SPAN 3090 or equivalent.

SPAN 3101 Workshop (1-2)

This workshop is intended for listening and speaking practice, vocabulary development, grammar review, and cultural contextualization. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair. 

SPAN 3150 Culture and Civilization of the Spanish-Speaking World (1-3)

Presents an integrated picture of the social, economic, political, and cultural forces that have shaped the Spanish-speaking world. Includes a variety of audiovisual materials, guest speakers, and media articles and reports. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 3100 or permission of the instructor.

SPAN 3151 Advanced Language Lab(1-2)

This course is designed to support your Spanish learning by focusing on real-time speaking and listening practice. Through guided activities and conversational application, students will strengthen their ability to communicate across a variety of scenarios. 

SPAN 3170 Advanced Conversational Spanish (1-3)

This course gives students the opportunity to improve their skills in conversational Spanish. It includes a variety of audiovisual materials and task-oriented activities. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 3100 or permission of the instructor.

SPAN 3250 Introduction to Literature (1-3)

Introduces the student to a variety of authors and literary works from the Spanish-speaking world. It develops the understanding and appreciation of literature in a wider cultural context. It also provides opportunities for discussion, and the development of listening comprehension and writing skills. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 3100 or permission of the instructor.

SPAN 4090 Topics in Advanced Language (1-3)

Develops skills in advanced composition, conversation, vocabulary, and grammar. May also focus on the history of the Spanish language or contemporary linguistics. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: SPAN 3100 or permission of the instructor.

SPAN 4170 Conversation and Culture (1-3)

An umbrella course taught in a variety of formats, e.g. intensive Spanish weekends or intensive workshops. This course further develops speaking skills in highly specialized content areas such as in-depth study of a particular country or a group of related countries, the music or folklore of certain areas in the Spanish-speaking world, the films of a particular director, or a set of historic events that caused important socio-political changes. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 3170 or permission of the instructor.

SPAN 4250 Topics in Literature (1-3)

Studies different periods as well as different genres (essay, poetry, drama, fiction, documentary, and testimonial literatures, etc.) of Spanish and Spanish-American literary studies. Introduces elements of literary criticism, textual analysis, and cultural history essential to the understanding and appreciation of literature. The content of this course varies and is presented in rotation. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: SPAN 3250 or equivalent.

SPAN 4650 Advanced Topics (1-3)

Focuses on specific themes in the culture and literature from the Spanish-speaking world, e.g., Jewish and Islamic Spain, the narratives of discovery and conquest, revolution and change, contemporary Spain or Latin America through films, dictatorship in fiction, the culture of food, contemporary theatre from Spanish America, the novels of development, etc. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: SPAN 3150, SPAN 3250 or equivalent.