Courses

Spanish 101 is a beginning language course designed for students with no previous experience in Spanish, or whose experience does not make placement in a higher level Spanish course advisable. The course focuses on communicative skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. SPN 101 includes high frequency vocabulary, basic constructions, common phrases, and cultural aspects. Student participation in skills development is also stressed. The course is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of Spanish pronunciation and grammar, as well as an introduction to Hispanic culture.

This course is a continuation of SPN 101 with emphasis on basic language skills for communication and on cultural aspects to promote understanding and appreciation of Hispanic cultures. The content of the course will include vocabulary building, more complex sentences, and more varied readings on Hispanic cultures. Memory and length of time since the student last studied Spanish are factors in successful placement. Prerequisite: SPN 101 or two years of high school Spanish, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

This course is intended for students with a firm foundation in elementary Spanish communication both written and oral. Grammar and vocabulary are continued at a higher level. Cultural topics are included in the study of grammar and structure. Memory and length of time since the student last studied Spanish are factors in successful placement. Prerequisite: SPN 102 or successful completion of high school Spanish 4, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

This course is designed to continue developing the skills introduced in Spanish 103. There is a special emphasis on mastery of some of the more difficult aspects of grammar, as well as on more formal vocabulary. Through the use of selected films and short stories the course will broaden the student's understanding of Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: SPN 103, the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

This course provides intensive practice in conversation and writing, working from intermediate toward an advanced level of proficiency. Attention is given to idiomatic expressions and a thorough review of the grammar. Activities include weekly writing assignments such as compositions, journals, oral presentations, and short literary and cultural readings. The course requires active class discussions on a variety of topics from current events or researched themes. Attention is on idiomatic expressions and a thorough review of the grammar. SPN 203 will help students continue developing fluency and vocabulary building and prepare for the most advanced Spanish conversation and composition courses. Active class participation required. Prerequisite: SPN 104 or permission of the instructor.

This course is designed for students wishing to improve their communicative skills. Emphasis is on fluency and pronunciation through extensive conversation practice, debates and oral presentations. Through discussions, readings and compositions students consider commonalities and differences to expand their consciousness, knowledge and understanding of history, peoples and cultures. Topics include ethnicity, religion, politics, education, and family viewed from alternative perspectives. Conversation groups outside of class are required. Prerequisite: SPN 104 or permission of the instructor.

This course is an in-depth study of the grammatical structure of Spanish with extensive practice in the varieties of written communication. Reading and writing assignments on a variety of topics will be used to build a more extensive vocabulary. Special attention is given to developing writing skills, syntax, idiomatic expressions, and some creative writing. Students receive practice in areas of Spanish grammar that are problematic for the English speaker (e.g., the subjunctive/indicative, preterit vs. imperfect, etc.). Videos, current events, short stories, and newspaper and magazine articles will be used for oral and written practice. Requirements include weekly compositions, oral presentations, and a research project as the final paper. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 203 or permission of the instructor.

This is a special topics course designed for students interested in using Spanish in a profession: rotating among business, teaching, nursing, social work, criminal justice, ministry, and communication. It is an advanced language course specializing in basic professional practices, terminology, reports, professional correspondence, and cross-cultural management skills. Students will analyze written documents in the profession. Continued emphasis on oral and written communications. Conducted in Spanish.

Spanish 310 is an introduction to the cultural, geographical, and political development of Spain from pre-Roman times to the present. This course exposes students to the rich culture and history of Spain. Focus is placed on the development of the arts, history, major ideologies, religious traditions and geographical divisions. Students refine oral and written communication skills through oral presentations, group activities, cultural and historical readings, essays, and a thorough examination of Spanish grammar. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 215 or permission of the instructor. This course should not be taken at RWC if participating in a study-abroad program that covers this material. (Offered on demand)

This course explores the ideas and events shaping the culture of Spanish America, from pre-Columbian times to the present, with an emphasis on the colonial period, mestizaje, and the formation of national cultural identity. It will focus on the formation, development, and characteristics of Latin American culture. Strong consideration will be given to contemporary issues: classicism, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic problems, gender, societal norms, nation-building, and the problem of imperialism and colonization-all important factors in the process of cultural production. Texts will be drawn from history, sociology, anthropology, the arts, and film. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 215 or permission of the instructor. This course should not be taken at RWC if participating in a study-abroad program that covers this material. (Offered on demand)

This course will study Spanish and Spanish-American cultures through analysis of films concerning the Spanish-speaking world. The films will introduce students to culture, some history, political and religious issues, native speech, and regional accents. It offers the students the ability to expose themselves to the diversity of cultures in the many Spanish speaking countries. The students will broaden their knowledge and analyze, compare and enrich their vocabulary and hone their analytic thinking skills through their enhancement, solidification of the knowledge of the language, and its variety of uses. Strong oral and written participation is a key feature of the course, designed to help students in developing critical thinking and communication skills. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 215 or permission of the instructor.

A study of the major cultural movements and genres of Hispanic literature. This course introduces students to critical writing and the basic principles of literary analysis through the study of short prose, drama and poetry presented within the context of literary movements. Students will read and discuss a wide range of authors and genres from Columbus through the 20th century Spanish Peninsular literature and Spanish-American literature. Theoretical approaches will be introduced to help the student interpret key texts. Readings include texts by Sor Juana, Garcilaso, Cervantes, Becquer, Jose Marti, Gabriela Mistral, Garcia Lorca, Neruda, Rosario Castellanos, Octavio Paz, etc. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 215 or permission of the instructor.

This course will provide students with the linguistically related knowledge of the Spanish language. Topics of study will include the historical development of the Spanish language; the variation of the language throughout the Hispanic world; issues of bilingualism as they relate to Spanish in the United States and other countries; structural comparison of Spanish to English; pronunciation issues for the student of Spanish; language change from a geographical (dialect) and social perspective (gender, ethnicity); educational and cultural implications. Topics of research will specifically relate to student’s professional goals. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 215 or permission of the instructor. (Offered alternate years)

This course is a survey of Spanish Peninsular literature covering a wide range of texts and authors belonging to the main cultural periods of Spanish history from the Middle Ages to the 17th-century in Spain. Authors include: Fernando de Rojas, Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Teresa de Avila, Maria de Zayas, San Juan de la Cruz, Góngora, Quevedo, and Calderon de la Barca. Students will be exposed to different genres (poetry, drama, narrative, and the essay) as they are introduced to basic concepts of literary criticism and textual interpretation. This is a discussion-based survey course requiring active participation by all students. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 320 or permission of the instructor. (Offered alternate years)

This course is an introduction to modern Spanish literature and to basic concepts of literary analysis. The course will study the most representative writers and movements from 18th to 20th century Peninsular literature: Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, The Generation of '98, Modernism, the Generation of '27 and post Civil War. All literary genres (poetry, drama, short story, novel, and essay) are analyzed. Authors include: Fernandez de Moratin, Becquer, Larra, Perez Galdos, Ruben Dario, Antonio Machado, Unamuno, Garcia Lorca, Miguel Hernandez, Buero Vallejo, and Camilo Jose Cela. Special emphasis is given to the theme of Spain, its history, and its myths as they were represented by these writers. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 320 or permission of the instructor. (Offered alternate years)

This course will examine the major Spanish-American literary works in a historical and cultural context. It presents the historical and literary contexts in which the selected works emerge and discusses the relationship between the writers and their cultural environment. The course also develops analytical perspectives in literary criticism and strengthens reading and writing in Spanish. Themes for discussion include: colonialism, machismo, feminism, gender, and magical realism. All literary genres--essay, drama, poetry, short story, and novel--are studied. Readings include texts by Gracilaso Inca, Sor Juana Ines, Echeverria, Jose Hernandez, Jose Marti, Ruben Dario, Quiroga, Gabriela Mistral, Pablo Neruda, Rosario Castellanos, Juan Rulfo, Octavio Paz, Borges, Cortazar, Garcia Marquez, etc. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 320 or permission of the instructor. (Offered on demand)

The course will analyze several plays and short stories while examining the following literary movements: romanticismo, realismo, criollismo, vanguardismo, and postmodernismo. It will involve the study of theories on the short story and their application to selected works of the most important Spanish American writers. Students use their Spanish speaking skills, as class participation is strongly encouraged. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisites: SPN 320 and 340 or permission of the instructor. (Offered on demand)

The course will survey the literary accomplishments of Hispanic women from the Golden Age to the present. It will include such issues as the condition of women's lives as reflected in their writings, autobiography or self-invention, relations between the family and the state, gender, sexual identity, oppression and submission, the rights of the woman, and the evolution of a feminist consciousness. The reading list includes plays by Maria de Zayas, Teresa de Jesus, Sor Juana, Gomez de Avellaneda, Pardo Bazan, Ana Maria Matute, Gabriela Mistral, Carmen Laforet, Rosario Castellanos, Elena Poniatowska, Rosario Ferrer, Carmen Martin Gaite and Soledad Puertolas. SPN 350 may also be used toward a Women's Studies minor. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 320 or permission of the instructor. (Offered on demand)

Independent study provides opportunity to pursue advanced or special-interest topics not covered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: 1. Junior standing. 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the Independent Study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the department in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the Department Chair, the School Dean, and the Registrar.