Hispanic Studies

This course is an introductory approach to the Spanish-Speaking World and its diverse cultures united by one common language, Spanish, and a cultural value system stemming from its core linguistic foundation. We will examine what unite the Spanish-Speaking World to then explore the regional differences and idiosyncrasies that make them unique, including the Spanish-speaking cultures present in the United States and in Spain (Europe). From popular culture (film, music, gastronomy) to more academic and formal cultural artifacts (short literary stories and the audiovisual arts), students will enter a journey of discovery to better grasp the cultural background of the Spanish-Speaking population, one and diverse. C21:GE,HU,OC.

Africa begins in the Pyrenees." "Spain is Different." "America is in Spain." Ranging from derogatory stereotypes to snappy slogans, characterizations of Spain have varied over the centuries but remain consistent in their expression of Spain as a land caught somewhere between the Eastern and Western worlds and the Northern and Southern Atlantic, a cultural crossroads where Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas meet. This course will examine the long history of inter-cultural contact in the literature and culture of what we know as Spain today. The course will also examine networks of migration, economics, and power associated with Spain's history as a global empire, the Spanish Civil War, and the present-day immigration boom from Africa and South America as depicted in Spanish works of literature, visual art, and film. C21:AE,HU,OC. EL when offered as a travel course.

Did you know that there are more Spanish speakers in the United States than in Colombia, Spain, and Argentina? Have you noticed the increasing presence of Hispanic politicians, influencers, and artists in mainstream media and commercial markets in North America? This course, given in English, examines how Hispanic populations are contributing to a changing demographic and cultural landscape that is reshaping the political, economic, linguistic, and social panorama of the United States. Throughout the semester, students will be exposed to the fundamental ideologies that promote these changes, including inclusive language, the impact of immigration, heritage identities, bilingual education, and movements such as LatinX. Additionally, through class discussions, readings, articles, and oral presentations, students will gain a better understanding of the diversity and influence of Hispanic populations in US. To that end, students will learn about the demand for cultural and linguistic equity in the North American job market. Finally, students will be able to identify the need for, and presence of, Hispanic populations in fields such as healthcare, education, hospitality, business, and public safety, among others. C21:CL,HU,DI.

A study of the conflictive process of modernization in Spain that concentrates on the clash between the progressive efforts to modernize and the traditionalist efforts to maintain Spain's unique social and cultural identity. This study abroad course in Spain includes visits to historical and cultural sites. Offered alternate years. C21:EL,GE,HU,OC.

This seminar provides intensive study of a literary, cultural, social, political, or linguistic movement, period, phenomenon, or current event, culminating in a major research paper or project. Throughout the capstone seminar, students will learn to situate their work within important frameworks, propose and identify research questions, organize research material, and critically discuss their own, as well as their classmates’ scholarship. Students will complete an original, coherent, accurate, well-documented, and persuasive project that applies the knowledge and skills related to the Hispanic Studies Program. Furthermore, students will integrate, extend, evaluate, and apply knowledge and skills from the Hispanic Studies major program. C21:CS.

Essentials of Spanish, stressing the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Required additional scheduled session of language practice. Given in Spanish. Designed for students with no experience of Spanish. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

Second half of Elementary SPAN. Required additional scheduled session of language practice. Given in Spanish. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

Intensive introduction to Spanish, emphasizing the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Designed for students who have taken Spanish but who do not place in intermediate Spanish. Admittance through placement only. Students who have taken SPAN 111 and/or SPAN 112 may not enroll in SPAN 115. Required additional scheduled session of language practice. Given in Spanish. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

Continued study of the four language skills at a more sophisticated level. Required additional scheduled session of language practice. Given in Spanish. Throughout the course, students will explore cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries. Students will work with authentic materials such as music, videos and articles to negotiate understanding (at a beginning-intermediate level) and awareness of the target culture. Students will also learn to develop cultural awareness of individuals and groups that share Spanish as a common language and relate this awareness to their own understanding and experiences. As part of the course design, activities that facilitate oral and written communication with other students are regularly employed. Furthermore, using online conversation platforms, students are exposed to authentic language use through conversation with native Spanish speakers. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

Second half of Intermediate Spanish. Required additional scheduled session of language practice. Given in Spanish. Throughout the course, students will explore cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries. Students will work with authentic materials such as music, videos and articles to negotiate understanding (at an advanced-intermediate level) and awareness of the target culture. Students will also learn to develop cultural awareness of individuals and groups that share Spanish as a common language and relate this awareness to their own understanding and experiences. As part of the course design, activities that facilitate oral and written communication with other students are regularly employed. Furthermore, using online conversation platforms, students are exposed to authentic language use through conversation with native Spanish speakers. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

Spanish 215 serves as an intensive grammar review with an emphasis on the development of oral communication, listening comprehension, writing skills, reading ability, and cultural knowledge pertinent to the Spanish-speaking world. Students in Spanish 215 will apply the grammatical and cultural concepts learned in class to conversations with native Spanish speakers using online conversation platforms, partial exams and group discussions, among other interactive and skill-building activities. Course designed for students who are beyond the SPAN 211 level but do not place out of the language courses. Students who have taken SPAN 211 and/or SPAN 212 may not enroll in SPAN 215. Given in Spanish. C21:FL.

Curriculum: FL

This language and writing development course offers a comprehensive grammar and composition review to advanced students of Spanish. Vocabulary building and written applications of grammar are emphasized. Given in Spanish. C21:CC.

Curriculum: CC

This course is designed to help students become critical readers in Spanish. Texts are selected for their value in helping students understand literary forms and how these forms are constructed and read. Emphasis is placed on the constituent elements of narrative prose, poetry, drama, essays, and news media. Readings consist of selections from Spanish and Latin–American literature and press, and attention is paid to close textual reading. This course is conducted entirely in Spanish, and attention to the figurative use of language promotes considerable growth in student's ability to understand and use spoken and written Spanish. SPAN 232 highly recommended Given in Spanish. Partially satisfies the AOK requirement for Arts and Literature (literature). Prerequisites: SPAN212 or SPAN215. C21:AE,HU,WA.

Curriculum: AE,HU,WA

In this course, students will hone their reading and writing skills while exploring issues of social justice facing Spanish-speaking communities within the United States. The use of Spanish-language periodicals and online resources will develop vocabulary pertinent to knowledge and discussion of social justice issues also relevant to a diverse range of professional and academic fields; documentaries and short films will be used to deepen the exploration of such issues. Units are organized around the topics of (1) human rights; (2) immigration; (3) employment; (4) education; (5) housing; and (6) citizenship. Classroom visits from multiple community partners with careers in education, law enforcement, and social services will supplement and inform class discussions and written assignments. Students will refine their writing skills in conjunction with their reading proficiency through the regular completion of analytic reading-response papers, in addition to a final research and writing project. SPAN 242 counts as an alternate to SPAN 241, as the required reading skills course on the Spanish major and minor and counts as an elective in the Criminology major and minor. Given in Spanish. C21:CL,DI,HU,WA.

Curriculum: CL,DI,HU,WA

Conversation in Spanish is a great first step to increase your proficiency in Spanish! This course ensures intensive practice in conversational Spanish, which is designed to advance students' fluency and vocabulary. Using a variety of mediums that may include videos, news articles, essays and films, students carry out practical exercises created to enhance spoken communication. In doing so, students develop oral communication skills that will help them navigate the Spanish speaking world with greater ease, increased proficiency and linguistic sophistication. Given in Spanish. C21:OC.

If you aren't quite happy with your accent yet, this is the course for you! Perfecting your accent is designed to help students develop target-like precision in Spanish, especially as it relates to difficult vowel and consonant production. Using numerous video and audio recordings, special attention is given to identifying and correcting individual pronunciation inaccuracies, while also raising awareness of the linguistic principles that help learners to distinguish between primary dialects within the Spanish-speaking world. Students will also apply concepts learned in class through highly interactive and engaging conversations with native Spanish speakers using TalkAbroad. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years.

This course offers intensive practice in conversational Spanish through the study of current issues relating to Latinos in the U.S. and a service-learning component. Students will explore issues in Latino immigration, politics, and culture through authentic print and film media and will participate in community placements speaking Spanish and working with the Latino communities of Ashland and Richmond. Given in Spanish. Satisfies the CAR requirement for Experiential (field studies). C21:CL,DI,HU,OC.

Curriculum: CL,DI,HU,SA

If you are considering working or interacting with Spanish-speaking professionals, this course will help prepare you for the venture! Spanish for Business serves as an introduction to business environments in the Spanish-speaking world, helping students to develop the necessary skills they will need to successfully navigate international corporate settings. Using a task-based approach to learning, students are exposed to industries such as fashion, tourism, marketing, food, and banking, among others. Students will be required to research lucrative businesses abroad, search for job opportunities that require Spanish, lead discussions, analyze reports, write business proposals, and carry out interviews in the target language. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years. C21:CL,HU.

Curriculum: CL,HU

An introduction to the world of medicine and healthcare conducted in Spanish. This course is intended for advanced Spanish students who wish to expand their language skills using practical situations in everyday encounters within the healthcare setting. This course helps students develop the ability to interact with Spanish-speaking patients, doctors, nurses, technicians, and EMT professionals in the medical field and healthcare industry by providing them with the appropriate vocabulary and cultural competence skills. Variety of topics include but are not limited to language and cultural views on health and the relationship with healthcare practitioners, the socio-cultural perspective on diverse healthcare systems, regional linguistic nuances in medical terminology, and exploring and understanding the cultural relationship among patients, doctors, and nurses. Given in Spanish. C21:CL,DI,HU,OC.

Curriculum: CL,DI,HU,SA

Have you ever wondered why Spanish uses accent marks? Have you ever questioned why Spanish sentences don't require explicit subjects? Do you remember asking your Spanish teachers why there were so many irregular verbs? If you are looking for answers, this course takes an analytical approach to the Spanish language, exposing students to fundamental topics, such as sentence structure, word formation, pronunciation, and the construction of meaning. Throughout the course, students will learn to break down and rebuild language from the bottom up, like a puzzle, using problem-solving exercises and hands-on activities. Other topics include the investigation of social and cultural distinctions via the lens of linguistic nuance. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years. C21:HU,QS.

Curriculum: HU,QS

A study of Spanish peninsular literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Selected works from prose narrative, poetry, theater, and essay are read and studied from a chronological or thematic approach. Emphasis on analysis of literary texts, use of critical terms, and historical and cultural context. Given in Spanish. Partially satisfies the AOK requirement for Arts and Literature (literature). C21:AE,HU,OC,WA.

Curriculum: AE,HU,SA,WA

Africa begins in the Pyrenees." "Spain is Different." "America is in Spain." Ranging from derogatory stereotypes to snappy slogans, characterizations of Spain have varied over the centuries but remain consistent in their expression of Spain as a land caught somewhere between the Eastern and Western worlds and the Northern and Southern Atlantic, a cultural crossroads where Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas meet. This course will examine the long history of inter-cultural contact in the literature and culture of what we know as Spain today. The course will also examine networks of migration, economics, and power associated with Spain's history as a global empire, the Spanish Civil War, and the present-day immigration boom from Africa and South America as depicted in Spanish works of literature, visual art, and film. This course will be taught in English and meet the AOK requirement in Literature. When cross-taught with FLET 253, Spanish Majors and Minors will complete an extra credit hour in Spanish. These students will be required to read course materials in Spanish where appropriate and analyze and discuss additional materials in Spanish. Students taking SPAN 353 are not permitted to enroll in FLET 253. C21:AE,EL,HU,OC.

A study of Latin-American literature from the colonial period to the present. Prose narrative, poetry, and theater are studied. Emphasis on analysis of literary texts and use of critical terms. Given in Spanish. Partially satisfies the AOK requirement for Arts and Literature (literature). C21:AE,HU,WA.

Curriculum: AE,HU,WA

This course will evaluate various elements of 20th-century Latin America society through a regional approach to analyzing various topics such as dictatorships, drug wars, diversity, immigration, music, revolution, and more through literature, film, and other media. Emphasis on comparative analysis, use of critical terms, and developing an understanding of the historical context of each work studied. Given in Spanish. Students may not receive credit for both FLET 257 and SPAN 357. Partially satisfies the AOK requirement for Arts and Literature (literature). C21:AE,HU,WA.

Curriculum: AE,HU,WA

A survey of political, intellectual, and artistic life in Spain from earliest times to the 21st century. Ideas and traditions that have had the most profound and long-lasting influence on the cultural heritage of Spain are emphasized. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years. C21:GE,HU,OC,WA.

Curriculum: GE,HU,SA,WA

This course explores contemporary Spanish culture and society through recent film and music production. Topics include the different perspectives and critiques of social structures and constructs like the family, gender, gender roles, sexuality, and "machismo"; Spanish politics of the nation and the significance of memory in film representations of Spanish history (the Spanish Civil War); immigration and ethnic minorities. Pop music and its visual representation through musical clips or videos will also play an important part in understanding social issues through their narratives. Supplementary critical readings on Spanish culture and course topics (scholarly articles, media) will provide students with the background to analyze these topics and their visual representations. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years. C21:GE,HU,OC,WA.

Curriculum: GE,HU,SA.WA

Study of the culture and civilization of Spanish-speaking America from a variety of viewpoints: historical, literary, sociological, anthropological, and political. Extensive use of audio-visual materials. Given in Spanish. Offered alternate years. C21:GE,WA.

Curriculum: GE,WA

Intensive work in areas of language or literature not covered in the general curriculum, tailored to the needs of advanced students. Given in Spanish.

An intensive study of culture and/or an advanced topic that culminates in a major research paper or project. This seminar provides a culminating experience in which students will widely integrate, extend, critique, and apply knowledge and skills from the Spanish major program. C21:CS.

Curriculum: CS

An intensive study of an author, literary movement or literary time period that culminates in a major research paper or project. This seminar provides a culminating experience in which students will widely integrate, extend, critique, and apply knowledge and skills from the Spanish major program. C21:CS.

Curriculum: CS

Individually designed field studies and projects for students of junior or senior status whose maturity and proficiency in Spanish will enable them to enter the fields of business, industry, government, health, or social services. The internship provides 130-160 hours of practical application of knowledge of Hispanic culture and language. Application required with appropriate class status and GPA requirement; see Internship Program. Given in Spanish. Offered as needed. A special fee ($200) is charged for this course. C21:EL.

Curriculum: EL

This course allows qualified students to gain practical experience by applying their Spanish language skills and cultural competency strategies and techniques through collaborations with volunteer organizations, directed research, and/or other projects as designed with a faculty member. Offered occasionally.

These courses focus on areas of spanish not specifically covered in the general curriculum and are designed to meet the needs of advanced students.

An independent study under the guidance of a member of the department. At least a 3.25 cumulative GPA and approval by the curriculum committee are required. Given in Spanish. C21:EL.

Curriculum: EL

An independent study under the guidance of a member of the department. At least a 3.25 cumulative GPA and approval by the curriculum committee are required. Given in Spanish. C21:EL.

Curriculum: EL

This two-semester sequence allows qualified senior majors in the department to research a topic intensively and independently. A formal paper and an oral examination are required. Majors who intend to attempt a senior project are urged to notify the department of their intention during the spring term of their junior year at the latest. Student earns a total of six hours for the full senior project experience (496, 497, and 498).

This two-semester sequence allows qualified senior majors in the department to research a topic intensively and independently. A formal paper and an oral examination are required. Majors who intend to attempt a senior project are urged to notify the department of their intention during the spring term of their junior year at the latest. Student earns a total of six hours for the full senior project experience (496, 497, and 498).

This two-semester sequence allows qualified senior majors in the department to research a topic intensively and independently. A formal paper and an oral examination are required. Majors who intend to attempt a senior project are urged to notify the department of their intention during the spring term of their junior year at the latest. Student earns a total of six hours for the full senior project experience (496, 497, and 498).