Spanish
The Spanish program provides students the opportunity to develop a solid command of the Spanish language, and an understanding of the literature, culture, and linguistics of the Hispanic world. Diverse course offerings allow students, in consultation with their advisers, to tailor a program of studies consistent with various goals: to prepare for graduate school, to usefully complement a variety of majors (business, political science, psychology, etc.), to interact with Spanish-speaking people in the US and abroad, to analyze the Spanish language and apply what is learned to a variety of contexts, and to read great Spanish and Spanish American literature. We offer (and strongly recommend) study abroad as a fundamental component of the Spanish major.
Major in Spanish
- In consultation with their major field adviser, students must complete thirty-two (32) credits in courses numbered 300 and above:
Required Core Courses (12 credits):
- SPAN 300 Advanced Spanish Grammar (4 credits)
- SPAN 301 Advanced Written Spanish and Culture (4 credits)
- SPAN 305 Spanish Oral Expression and Culture (4 credits)
Areas of Concentration: Cultural and Literary Studies or Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
For the remaining 20 credits, students must choose an area of concentration and take a minimum of 12 credits in that area. Up to 8 of the remaining 20 credits may be taken from the other concentration or in courses numbered SPAN 393, SPAN 476, SPAN 478, SPAN 485, SPAN 487, SPAN 489, SPAN 490, or SPAN 495.
Cultural and Literary Studies
Required for concentration (8 credits):
- SPAN 335 Introduction to Spanish Literature (4 credits)
- SPAN 331 Spanish Culture and Civilization (4 credits) OR SPAN 332 Latin American Culture and Civilization
For the remaining 12 credits, students may choose from the following electives.
Up to 8 credits may be taken from the Linguistics and Applied Language Studies area or in courses numbered SPAN 393, SPAN 476, SPAN 478, SPAN 485, SPAN 487, SPAN 489, SPAN 490, or SPAN 495. For the concentration in Cultural and Literary Studies, students must take a minimum of four (4) credits in courses numbered SPAN 340 or higher:
- SPAN 331 Spanish Culture and Civilization (4 credits)
- SPAN 332 Latin American Culture and Civilization (4 credits)
- SPAN 340 Themes in Spanish Literature (4 credits)
- SPAN 345 Transatlantic Visual Culture and Literature: Hispanic Connections (4 credits)
- SPAN 380 Themes in Latin American Literature (4 credits)
- SPAN 405 Spanish Genre Studies (4 credits)
- SPAN 410 Women and Discourse of the Spanish-speaking World (4 credits)
- SPAN 411 Ethnicity and Multiculturalism of the Spanish-speaking World (4 credits)
- SPAN 412 Chicano and U.S. Latino Culture(s) and Literature(s) (4 credits)
- SPAN 415 Hispanic Cinema Studies (4 credits)
Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Required for concentration (4 credits):
- SPAN 315 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (4 credits)
For the remaining 16 credits, students may choose from the following electives.
Up to eight (8) credits may be taken from the Cultural and Literary Studies area or in courses numbered SPAN 393, SPAN 476, SPAN 478, SPAN 485, SPAN 487, SPAN 489, SPAN 490, or SPAN 495:
- SPAN 316 Studies in Spanish Linguistics (4 credits)
- SPAN 317 Spanish Phonetics and Pronunciation (4 credits)
- SPAN 318 Introduction to Spanish Translation (4 credits)
- SPAN 320 Business Spanish (4 credits)
- SPAN 434 Spanish Applied Linguistics (4 credits)
Students in teacher licensure programs must include a course in linguistics (recommended SPAN 315).
Students majoring in Spanish must take a minimum of twelve (12) credits in Spanish at the 300-level or above at St. Thomas or in a St. Thomas-approved study abroad program.
Students must complete the introductory and intermediate language program (SPAN 111, 112, 211, 212), or its equivalent, with a C- or above in all coursework before moving on to SPAN 300. Spanish majors/minors must complete SPAN 300, 301, and 305 with a C- or above in each course before proceeding on to further courses in the Spanish major/minor.
For administrative purposes, students will complete assessment measures at the beginning of their major (in their 300 class) and during their final semester.
Minor in Spanish
In consultation with their minor field adviser, students must complete twenty (20) credits in courses numbered 300 and above. After completing the core courses (SPAN 300, 301, 305), students may select two additional courses from any of the remaining upper-division Spanish courses (numbered above 305). Students must complete the introductory and intermediate language program (SPAN 111, 112, 211, 212), or its equivalent, with a C- or above in all coursework before moving on to SPAN 300. Spanish minors must complete SPAN 300, 301 and 305 with a C- or above in each course before proceeding on to further courses in Spanish.
Students minoring in Spanish must take a minimum of eight (8) credits in Spanish at the 300-level or above at St. Thomas or in a St. Thomas-approved study abroad program.
Spanish Undergraduate Courses
| Course Number | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAN 111 | Elementary Spanish I | 4 | |
| Description of course Elementary Spanish I : | Pronunciation, essentials of grammatical structures, aural-oral practice, writing, reading of simple Spanish prose, introduction to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. For those with fewer than two years of high school Spanish. Registration by permission. SPAN 111 cannot be taken if credit for a more advanced SPAN course has already been received. | ||
| SPAN 112 | Elementary Spanish II | 4 | |
| Description of course Elementary Spanish II : | Continuation of SPAN 111. Emphasis on grammatical structure, aural-oral practice, writing, reading. Continuation of Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: SPAN 111 or its equivalent with a grade of C- or better. | ||
| SPAN 122 | Elementary Spanish II With Rev | 4 | |
| Description of course Elementary Spanish II With Rev : | SPAN 122 is a beginning level Spanish course developed for students with previous language experience. It begins with an accelerated review of SPAN 111 followed by material covered in SPAN 112. The course prepares students to communicate in Spanish in everyday situations at an elementary level of proficiency. It also introduces students to cultural products, practices and perspectives from different parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Cannot be taken if credit for SPAN 111 was received. | ||
| SPAN 211 | Intermediate Spanish I | 4 | |
| Description of course Intermediate Spanish I : | Designed to increase listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. Intensive review of grammatical structures of Elementary Spanish I and II. Continued exposure to Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: SPAN 112 or SPAN 122 or their equivalent with a grade of C- or better. | ||
| SPAN 212 | Intermediate Spanish II | 4 | |
| Description of course Intermediate Spanish II : | Continuation of SPAN 211. Emphasis on Hispanic culture, conversation, writing, and expansion of vocabulary based on thematic discussions and cultural readings. Prerequisite: SPAN 211 or its equivalent with a grade of C- or better. | ||
| SPAN 220 | Spanish for Health Care Profes | 4 | |
| Description of course Spanish for Health Care Profes : | This is an intermediate level Spanish language and culture course for students who plan to work in health-related careers such as medicine, nursing, medical translation/interpretation, physical therapy, or health education. The course provides students with the medical Spanish terminology and intercultural competence to improve their interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and clients. Prerequisites: SPAN 211 or its equivalent with a grade of C- or better; placement beyond the SPAN211 level | ||
| SPAN 243 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| SPAN 297 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| SPAN 300 | Advanced Spanish Grammar | 4 | |
| Description of course Advanced Spanish Grammar : | Advanced Grammar with emphasis on review of grammatical structures, language development, mechanics, and expansion of vocabulary. Writing of basic structures in expository prose. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 212 or its equivalent with a C- or above in all lower division language courses (SPAN 111, 112, 211, 212). | ||
| SPAN 301 | Adv Written Spanish & Culture | 4 | |
| Description of course Adv Written Spanish & Culture : | Intensive practice in written Spanish using selected materials to acquire a high level of competence in writing Spanish. This writing course aims to improve technique, expand syntactic depth, increase vocabulary and learn good writing through a process approach involving stages of idea development, thesis construction, structural development, bibliographic notation, evaluation of ideas and rewriting of the text. Lectures and class discussions are based on major topics that relate to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Written skills will be assessed. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 300 or its equivalent with a C- or better. | ||
| SPAN 305 | Span Oral Expression & Culture | 4 | |
| Description of course Span Oral Expression & Culture : | The aim of this course is to develop aural and oral skills through the analysis and interpretation of representative cultural expressions of the Spanish-speaking world. This course is intended to stimulate creative, critical thinking in Spanish through activities that require students to argue, persuade, analyze, and interpret other points of view. Oral skills will be assessed. Prerequisite: Successful completion of SPAN 300 or its equivalent with a C- or better. May be taken simultaneously with SPAN 301 or 315. | ||
| SPAN 312 | Intro to Medical Interpreting | 4 | |
| Description of course Intro to Medical Interpreting : | This course introduces the complex task of spoken language for medical interpreting, focusing on developing critical thinking, decision-making, cognitive skills related to interpreting, and basic interpreting skills. Coursework includes theoretical knowledge and practical application of medical interpreting skills, medical terminology, glossary development, culturally responsive mediation skills, and role-plays in different healthcare settings. We welcome and encourage Spanish Heritage Learners to register for this course. Prerequisites: Completion of SPAN 220 or equivalent with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor | ||
| SPAN 315 | Hispanic Linguistics | 4 | |
| Description of course Hispanic Linguistics : | An introduction to both contemporary and historical Hispanic linguistics. Descriptive Spanish phonetics and phonology. History of the Spanish language with emphasis on historical sound-change phenomena. Systematic study of dialectal variation in both Spain and Spanish America. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 301 and 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course, (may be taken simultaneously with SPAN 305). | ||
| SPAN 316 | Studies in Spanish Linguistics | 4 | |
| Description of course Studies in Spanish Linguistics : | This course provides an in-depth study into a particular area of Spanish Linguistics. Topics may vary with each offering and may include Phonology/Morphology, Syntax, Dialectology, Semantics/Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis, and Second Language Acquisition. Credit may be earned more than once under this number for different emphases. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 301 and 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course (may be taken simultaneously with SPAN 305). | ||
| SPAN 317 | Spanish Phonetics and Pronunc. | 4 | |
| Description of course Spanish Phonetics and Pronunc. : | This course provides undergraduate students with an understanding of the basic concepts of phonetics and phonology. Students apply these concepts to achieve more native-like pronunciation in Spanish. Tasks include recognizing, producing, transcribing and describing in linguistic terms the sounds of Spanish. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 301 and 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course, (may be taken simultaneously with SPAN 305). | ||
| SPAN 318 | Intro to Spanish Translation | 4 | |
| Description of course Intro to Spanish Translation : | In this course students will learn introductory techniques and principles of translation, review Spanish grammar and improve their reading and writing skills. The main objective of this course will be to develop the necessary skills in order to become proficient communicators in bilingual contexts. We will mainly use Spanish as a source language to translate an array of journalistic, literary, academic, and technical texts into English. At some specific instances, we will translate from English to Spanish to give students the opportunity to practice this skill as well. To enhance the practical component of the course, we will reflect on key theoretical issues related to translation practice through selected readings on translation as a process and as a product, cultural issues in translation, and the role of the translator today. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 301 and 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course, (may be taken simultaneously with SPAN 305). | ||
| SPAN 320 | Business Spanish | 4 | |
| Description of course Business Spanish : | Practice in the language skills and vocabulary needed to conduct business in the Hispanic world; an overview of political, economic, social and cultural factors which affect business in the Hispanic countries. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 301 and 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course (may be taken simultaneously with SPAN 305). | ||
| SPAN 327 | Environment Health-Hisp World | 4 | |
| Description of course Environment Health-Hisp World : | The National Environmental Health Association has listed climate change as the biggest human health threat of the Twenty-First Century. In this course, we will explore the connection between health and the environment by examining the mutual dependency of all forms of life (human, social, animal, vegetal, etc.), with special attention to Spanish-speaking populations. We will scrutinize the interrelated effects of climate change on individual health and social health, and we will examine the effects of human action on environmental health in Spanish-speaking areas. Since unhealthy environments have an especially devastating effect on the mental and physical health of certain communities, this course will cover the above-mentioned topics from a social justice angle, examining both specific problems (environmental pollution, water contamination, pesticides and transgenics in food; hunger) and alternatives (such as food sovereignty, ecofeminism, sumak kawsay) that can be found in the Hispanophone world. The course is conducted 100% in Spanish. We welcome and encourage Spanish Heritage Learners to register for this course. | ||
| SPAN 331 | Spanish Culture & Civil | 4 | |
| Description of course Spanish Culture & Civil : | A study of the evolution of the civilization of Spain from the time of early human settlements through the present. This course examines socio-economic developments, political movements and artistic creations within an historical context. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 or their equivalent with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 332 | Latin Amer Cult & Civil | 4 | |
| Description of course Latin Amer Cult & Civil : | Physical and human geography. History of Latin America from pre-Hispanic civilizations through modern times. Political problems. Rural Latin America. Latin American society, cultural values. Religion. Economic problems. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 335 | Intro to Spanish Literature | 4 | |
| Description of course Intro to Spanish Literature : | An introduction to Spanish and Spanish American narrative, drama and poetry. Strongly recommended for students who minor in Spanish. The course is designed to teach students the skills of critical reading and literary analysis. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 or their equivalent with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 340 | Themes in Spanish Literature | 4 | |
| Description of course Themes in Spanish Literature : | A comparative study of major themes in the literature of Spain with the goal of understanding their cultural relevance. Works studied represent several of the following: the medieval era, the Golden Age, the baroque, romanticism, naturalism, modernism, and texts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Genres may include poetry, theater, narrative, and essays, among others. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305, and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 345 | Transatlantic Visual Cult&Lit | 4 | |
| Description of course Transatlantic Visual Cult&Lit : | This course is an advanced survey of the literature and the arts produced within the Spanish-speaking transatlantic world. In this course, looking into the transatlantic world will mean paying attention to the Hispanic Atlantic beyond geographical borders. It will engage students in readings, discussions, and analysis of selected iconic paintings, prints, musical texts, maps, photographs, films, letters, short stories, poems and essays. These explorations will provide students with a broad understanding of Hispanic cultural, literary, and artistic production, and will build their familiarity with the movements, encounters, and connections between Hispanophone cultures from the Medieval Ages until today. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305, or their equivalent with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 380 | Themes in Latin-Americ. Lit. | 4 | |
| Description of course Themes in Latin-Americ. Lit. : | A comparative study of major themes in Latin American literature with the goal of understanding their cultural relevance. Works studied represent several of the following historical periods; the pre-Columbian era, the age of Spanish exploration of the Americas, the colonial era, the nineteenth and twentieth centures, and beyond. Genres may include poetry, theater, narrative, and essays, among others. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305, and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 393 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||
| SPAN 395 | UD Spanish Linguistics | 4 | |
| Description of course UD Spanish Linguistics : | For transfer and study abroad purposes only | ||
| SPAN 405 | Spanish Genre Studies | 4 | |
| Description of course Spanish Genre Studies : | An examination of particular genres of Spain and Spanish America during defined literary periods. Topics will vary with each offering and may include the novel, non-fictional prose, short story, poetry, and theater of Spain and Spanish America. Credit may be earned more than once under this number for different emphases. May be taken twice with different topics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 411 | Ethnicity and Multiculturalism | 4 | |
| Description of course Ethnicity and Multiculturalism : | This course aims to analyze the concepts of race, ethnicity and multiculturalism in the Spanish-speaking world. Due to the multiculturalism and diversity in the Hispanic world, this course could include topics such as literary/social interpretations of Islam, Judaism and Christianity in Muslim Spain, Gypsies in film, culture, music and poetry, Equatorial Guinean culture and the poetry of resistance and idealism, abolitionist and neo-slave narratives and their cultural contexts, indigenismo and indigenous cultures in Latin American literature, among many others. Emphasis will vary in the different offerings of the course. May be taken twice with different topics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 412 | Chicano/US Latino Lit/Culture | 4 | |
| Description of course Chicano/US Latino Lit/Culture : | Overview of the different issues that concern the U.S. Latino population. This course studies cultural artifacts and literary texts (in Spanish) relating to the multiple cultures of the Spanish-speaking U.S. Topics of class discussion could include: The United Farmers Workers and the Chicano Power movement in the 1960s, the role of César Chávez and Luis Valdez, and literary interpretations of the Hispanic/Latino/Chicano experience. Authors will be selected from a broad range of writers such as Cherríe Moraga, Sandra Cisneros, Rolando Hinojosa, Miguel Mendez, Julia Alvarez, Cristina Garcia, Gustavo Perez Firmat, Achy Obejas, Esmeralda Santiago, among others. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305, and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course | ||
| SPAN 415 | Hispanic Cinema Studies | 4 | |
| Description of course Hispanic Cinema Studies : | Examination of the cinematic arts as they relate to the cultures and literatures of the Spanish-speaking World. Course topics may include some of the following: gender, class, and/or ethnicity/race in Hispanic Cinema, discussion of film techniques, narrative structures, major directors, cinematic movements of Spain, Latin America, and/or U.S. Latino film, or the relationship of film to history, culture and society. May be taken twice with different topics. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305 and 335 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 434 | Spanish Applied Linguistics | 4 | |
| Description of course Spanish Applied Linguistics : | This course focuses on the theory and development of the field of Spanish second language acquisition and pedagogy. Special attention will be dedicated to the most common grammatical, linguistic, and methodological issues related to teaching Spanish to English native speakers. Topics covered will also include the role of technology in language teaching and methods for evaluating the linguistic competence of learners of Spanish. Prerequisites: Successful completion of SPAN 300, 301, 305, and 315 or their equivalents with a C- or better in each course. | ||
| SPAN 476 | Experiential Learning | 1 TO 4 | |
| Description of course Experiential Learning : | No description is available. | ||
| SPAN 485 | Seminar | 4 | |
| Description of course Seminar : | No description is available. | ||
| SPAN 487 | Topics | 2 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| SPAN 488 | Topics | 2 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| SPAN 489 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| SPAN 490 | Topics | 4 | |
| Description of course Topics : | The subject matter of these courses will vary from year to year, but will not duplicate existing courses. Descriptions of these courses are available in the Searchable Class Schedule on Murphy Online, View Searchable Class Schedule | ||
| SPAN 495 | Individual Study | 2 OR 4 | |
| Description of course Individual Study : | No description is available. | ||