SP: Courses in Spanish
Department of Languages and Literature
A student with high school Spanish should consult with the instructor for placement in courses, and see index for page number for Language Placement Guidelines.
SP 101-102 Acquisition of Spanish I and II 6 credit
Participants in these introductory seminars read, write, listen, and discuss
current events as well as cultural, political, economic, and psychological
topics. Learners acquire vocabulary in authentic communicative
contexts and build the structural foundations of the language necessary
to understand and communicate progressively and adequately in
Spanish. Offered annually. Prerequisites: None for SP 101; SP 101 or
equivalent for SP 102. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
SP 150/250/350 Intensive Spanish Immersion Abroad 6 credit
This program consists of three levels of proficiency: SP 150 for students
with no prior knowledge or experience with Spanish, SP 250 for students
who have successfully completed SP 102 or have the equivalent
knowledge or experience with Spanish, and SP 350 for students who
have successfully completed SP 204 or have the equivalent knowledge
or experience with Spanish. The program offers the student the opportunity
to become immersed in the Spanish language while experiencing
the cultural and societal conditions of the country where the program
takes place. The methods used in this program are intended to foster the
acquisition of Spanish both in and out of the classroom. The acquisition
will take place through students’ and teachers’ active interaction
with the language and daily life in the host country. Students will read,
write, and speak Spanish on a daily basis and will be required to analyze
social, political, and cultural aspects of their surroundings. Through
this process, students also will have the opportunity to develop new
perspectives with regard to peoples of other cultures and a point of
comparison upon which to base questions of human existence.
SP 203-204 Acquisition of Spanish III and IV 6 credit
While continuing to pursue topics from the introductory seminars,
participants begin to read Hispanic short stories and texts examining
contemporary and historical issues in Latin America and Spain.
Students also examine language issues they have encountered in their
discussions and compositions. Offered annually. Prerequisites: SP 102
or its equivalent for SP 203; SP 203 or its equivalent for SP 204. Fulfills
global diversity requirement.
SP 205-206 Spanish Conversation 3 credit
This course fosters and improves the student’s spoken facility with
Spanish through perceptual encounters with the language and through
each student’s actions to understand and be understood in a variety of
contexts. Instruction involves participants in extensive and intensive
conversation, listening, and reading through active, open, and authentic
dialogue. Prerequisite: SP 204 or consent of instructor. Spring
semester. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
SP 301-302 The Hispanic Short Story I and II 6 credit
Participants in this course become critically conscious of major cultural,
political, economic, and psychological themes as conveyed in short
stories. Through thoughtful discussion and composition, students
deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Hispanic literature while
developing facility in reading, speaking, and writing. Prerequisite: SP
305. Offered at the discretion of the Department. Satisfies CORE
literature. SP 301 fulfills global diversity requirement.
SP 304 Spanish Phonetics and Phonology 3 credit
This course is an introduction to the science of language. Students will
examine the linguistic features of speech synchronically, diachronically,
and dialectically; study different varieties and registers of spoken
Spanish; focus on articulatory phonetics; learn how to transcribe speech
and written texts to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA); and
consider how to analyze, describe, and explain linguistic data, including
sound changes. Prerequisite: SP 204. Fall semester.
SP 305 Reading and Writing in Spanish 3 credit
This course will facilitate the transition from early Spanish acquisition
courses to upper-level courses in which more precision is required
with respect to both receptive and productive aspects of the language.
Prerequisite: SP 204 or the consent of the instructor. Fall semester.
Fulfills global diversity requirement.
SP 306 Spanish Morphology and Syntax 3 credit
Students develop their Spanish grammar by examining texts and their
own essays in Spanish to resolve grammatical problems. In addition,
students are introduced to the study of syntax, morphology, and sociolinguistics
as the field pertains to grammatical varieties and changes.
Prerequisite: SP 204. Spring semester.
SP 401-402 Culture and Literature of Spain I and II 6 credit
This course is a survey of the history, civilization and literature of Spain
from ancient to modern times. The course covers the arts, literature,
economics, education, and geography, as well as important events
that have shaped the psychology of the Spanish people. Prerequisite:
SP 305. Offered at the discretion of the Department. Satisfies CORE
literature. Fulfills global diversity requirement.
SP 403-404 Culture and Literature of Latin America I-II 6 Cr
This course is a survey of the history, civilization, and literature of Latin
America from the pre-conquest to modern times. The course covers
the arts, literature, economics, politics, customs, and geography, as
well as important events that have shaped the psychology of the Latin
American people, including the issue of underdevelopment of the different
countries. Prerequisite: SP 305. Offered at the discretion of the
Department. Fulfills global diversity requirement.