Spanish (SPAN)

Spanish 101 is the first of a four-course sequence designed to develop basic communicative skills in Spanish. The course emphasizes vocabulary building, pronunciation, and control of fundamental grammatical structures, while introducing students to the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Instruction is conducted in Spanish, and class time focuses on active communication using forms and structures practiced outside of class.

Spanish 102 continues the development of basic communicative skills introduced in SPAN 101. Students expand their vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and gain greater control of essential grammatical structures. The course further explores cultural practices and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. Instruction is conducted in Spanish, with an emphasis on meaningful communication in a variety of contexts.

Spanish 201 marks the transition to intermediate-level proficiency, with a focus on expanding communicative ability and developing greater accuracy and fluency. Students engage with more complex grammatical structures and begin to express opinions and narrate in different time frames. The course incorporates cultural materials from the Spanish-speaking world, including texts and media, to deepen linguistic and cultural understanding. Conducted in Spanish.

Spanish 202 builds on intermediate proficiency by strengthening fluency, accuracy, and complexity in communication. Students engage with authentic texts and media from the Spanish-speaking world and Latinx communities, analyzing cultural, social, and linguistic themes. The course emphasizes critical thinking, sustained communication, and the development of more advanced writing and speaking skills. Conducted entirely in Spanish.

Language barriers in health care affect 14 million patients in the United States. "Patients who face such barriers," according to Glenn Flores, "are less likely than others to have a usual source of medical care; they receive preventive care at reduced rates; and they have an increased risk of non-adherence to medication" (Flores 2006: 230). This course will teach students the basic and intermediate skills of medical Spanish that can be put into practice in real medical situations. The main objective of this course is to achieve a communicative competence in medical Spanish through the practice of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures, all within the context of the medical professions. Focus is placed on role-play activities that will cover the most common medical procedures. Through exposure to cultural and scientific texts, furthermore, students will gain an awareness of the profound impact that language barriers play in the health of the Spanish-speaking linguistic minority in the United States. This course is taught entirely in Spanish.

This course explores advanced Spanish grammar through real-world contexts, emphasizing how linguistic structures function across contemporary media, professional communication, and global Spanish-speaking communities. Students refine accuracy and stylistic control while analyzing authentic texts, engaging in nuanced discourse, and examining how Spanish adapts to cultural, social, and regional variation. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish.

This course develops advanced writing skills in Spanish through the exploration of current social, cultural, and political issues across the Spanish-speaking world. Students engage with diverse, authentic sources to analyze contemporary debates, craft well-structured arguments, and refine their written voice. In addition to formal academic papers, the course incorporates multiple modes of writing-such as opinion pieces, reflective texts, digital media formats, and collaborative compositions-to strengthen versatility and communicative effectiveness. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish.

This course examines the historical relationships among Spain, Latin America, and the United States through cultural and artistic expressions such as film, literature, music, and popular culture. It explores key cultural, historical, and socio-political developments in the Hispanic world, with attention to issues such as migration, inequality, historical memory, globalization, and identity. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish.

This interdisciplinary course examines the histories, cultures, and experiences of Latinx communities in the United States, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. It explores issues of citizenship, immigration, activism, and identity, with attention to race, gender, class, and language. Students engage with diverse texts and media and complete a research project. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish.

This course explores rotating topics in Hispanic and Latinx literary and cultural studies. Students engage with a wide range of texts-including film, literature, comics, music, digital media, and visual culture-analyzing how they reflect and shape identities, histories, and social issues across the Spanish-speaking world and Latinx communities in the United States. Emphasis is placed on contemporary debates around culture, representation, and power. Topics vary by region and theme, and the course may be repeated for credit when topics differ. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish.

Medical Spanish is designed to expand the student's vocabulary and proficiency in Spanish for healthcare. The course focuses on building medical vocabulary and developing speaking, writing, and presentation skills in Spanish within the context of healthcare. This includes study and research on various healthcare topics, role-play scenarios, research, significant vocabulary acquisition, and, when possible, guest speakers and visits to local clinics or hospitals.

Business Spanish is designed to expand the student's vocabulary and proficiency in Spanish for business. The course focuses on building business vocabulary and developing speaking, writing, and presentation skills in Spanish within the business context. The course also examines topics on business protocol and etiquette in Latin America and Spain.

This independent study is designed for students in their final semester of the Spanish Education program and serves as a complement to their student teaching experience. Throughout the semester, students will engage in reflective and applied work that connects pedagogical theory with their classroom practice. Students will develop a professional portfolio that documents their growth as educators, including lesson plans, teaching materials, assessments, and reflective writing on their instructional practices. The course will also encourage critical reflection on classroom management, student engagement, and language acquisition strategies. At the end of the semester, students will present their portfolio and deliver a formal presentation demonstrating their ability to design, implement, and assess effective Spanish language instruction.