Courses in Spanish
cursos en español

from the VCU Bulletin

 

Beginning Level
nivel principiante

SPAN 101-102 Elementary Spanish

Continuous course; 5 lecture/recitation hours. 4-4 credits.
Elementary grammar, reading and oral drills.

 

Intermediate Level
nivel intermedio

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. 
Continuation of the essentials of grammar, with emphasis on achieving proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills.

 

SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish Readings

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or the equivalent. Designed to increase the student’s proficiency through the study of selected cultural and literary texts. In order to complete Spanish through the intermediate level, a student may select SPAN 202 or 205.

 

SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish Conversation

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or the equivalent. Designed to increase the student’s proficiency in the spoken language through audio-oral exercises, dialogues and free conversation. In order to complete Spanish through the intermediate level, a student may select SPAN 202 or 205 or equivalent.

Non-foreign language majors who wish to take one or two upper-level classes only need to complete SPAN 202, 205 or equivalent.

 

SPAN 295 Gateway to Spanish Major/Minor

Semester course; 1-3 credits.
Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. This course is composed of three discrete modules of 1 credit each: (1 credit) Portfolio Preparation: orientation to career development in Spanish, reviewing criteria of good writing, program goals and self assessment essay to begin identifying areas of interest and strengths; (1credit) Language Proficiency: practice and review of specifics and general areas of language proficiency; (1 credit) Computer Skills: emphasis on text processing in Spanish and tutorials for grammar and pronunciation practice. Non-foreign language majors who wish to take one or two upper-level classes only need to complete SPAN 202, 205 or equivalent.

 

Core Courses
cursos requeridos

 

SPAN 300, 301 Advanced Grammar and Writing

Semester courses; 3 lecture hours. 3, 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. A systematic review of Spanish grammar with emphasis on the elements of style and vocabulary building, translation and composition.

 

SPAN 305 Spanish Conversation

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. Practice in the spoken language with emphasis on discussions relating to topics of current interest.

 

SPAN 320 Civilization of Spain I

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. A treatment of salient manifestations of Spanish culture and civilization from its origins to the present.

 

SPAN 321 Latin American Civilization I

Semester courses; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. A treatment of salient manifestations of Latin American culture and Civilization from pre-Columbian times to the present.

 

SPAN 330 Survey of Spanish Literature

Semester courses; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. A survey of Spanish literature up to the present.

 

SPAN 331/INTL 331 Survey of Latin American Literature

Semester courses; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Spanish through the intermediate level or the equivalent. Conducted in Spanish. An introduction to major authors and trends up to the present.

 

Electives
cursos optativos

 

Nine credits of 300-level courses in Spanish (including those specifically required for certain courses) are prerequisites to all the following courses.

 

SPAN 400 Spanish Translation

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses).  Conducted in Spanish. Integrates the basic theoretical and practical aspects of translation, focused from a perspective of applied linguistics. The course includes a workshop component and students will practice both written and oral translation of diverse texts.

 

SPAN 401/LING 401 Comparative Structures

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. A comparison of English and Spanish, with emphasis on pronunciation and problems encountered in the teaching of Spanish.

 

SPAN 402 Language Issues in the Spanish-speaking World

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. Through a variety of topics this course explores the links between language and human behavior as exemplified by language phenomena in the Spanish-speaking world. Topics will be drawn mainly from sociolinguistics, language and culture, and education and applied linguistics.

 

SPAN 403 History of the Spanish Language

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. A study of the evolution of Spanish from Latin through the Middle Ages to the Modern era. Historical phonology, etymology, morphology, orthography, semantics and syntax of standard Castilian.

 

SPAN 414 Commercial Spanish

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. This course will develop the student’s ability to use the Spanish language as a means of oral and written communication in the business world.

 

SPAN 420 Civilization of Spain II

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level, including SPAN 320 or 321, or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). This course explores the cultural diversity and differences of Spain. Topics focus on a particular interdisciplinary theme, such as the formation of cities, ethnicity and on a particular area of Spain.

 

SPAN 421/INTL 421 Civilization of Latin America II

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level, including SPAN 320 or 321, or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). This course explores the cultural diversity of Latin America and the social and political forces behind cultural change. Topics will focus on a specific interdisciplinary theme, such as urban life, the politics of identity and on a specific area of Latin America.

 

SPAN 430 Literary Genres

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. An in-depth look at the development and expression of  varieties of literature in Spanish.

 

SPAN 431 Literary Periods

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Conducted in Spanish. An in-depth synchronic look at movements and their context in literature in Spanish.

 

SPAN 485 Spanish Study Abroad

Semester course; variable credit. Prerequisite:

Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Open to Spanish majors, minors and students in other disciplines. This course offers all students the opportunity to improve their oral and written proficiency in Spanish, to enhance their awareness of cultural diversity and to become independent learners of Spanish language and the cultures of its speakers.

 

SPAN 491 Topics in Spanish

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.
May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). An indepth study of selected topics in Spanish. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topic to be offered each semester.

 

SPAN 492 Independent Study

Semester course; variable credit.
Maximum of three credits per semester; maximum total of six credits for all independent study courses in Spanish. Prerequisite: Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). Open generally only to students of junior or senior standing who have six credits of upperlevel Spanish courses and/or have demonstrated a competency in the language. Determination of course content and permission of instructor and department chair must be obtained prior to registration for the course. A course designed to give students an opportunity to become involved in independent study in a literary or linguistic area or subject in which they have an interest.

 

Capstone Course
seminario de coronamiento

 

SPAN 495 Spanish Portfolio Seminar

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits at the 300 and 400 levels or the equivalent. Completion of nine credits of Spanish at the 300 level or the equivalent (including those specifically required for certain courses). This course focuses on self-assessment, compiling a portfolio, career preparation and on the life long application of skills and knowledge acquired in the program.