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Spanish
Spanish 1 (SPA101)
4 CU Students are introduced to the Spanish language as they acquire proficiencies in speaking, listening, writing and reading. The main focus is active communication, as students are expected to immerse themselves in the language by expressing daily thoughts, wants and reactions in both spoken and written Spanish. Oral communication is emphasized through practical conversations and exercises that take place in class. Special attention is given to vocabulary, which is introduced through definitions, illustrations and daily conversations. The use of basic grammatical rules, verb constructions, and pronunciation are also stressed. Basic geography, culture, history, and current events of the Spanish-speaking world are presented to promote global awareness and break stereotypes.
Spanish 2 (SPA201)
4 CU, Spanish 1 or its equivalent is a prerequisite Continuing the emphasis on the four skills of language learning established in Spanish 1, this course is designed to cover the basic grammatical structures of the language. Grammar is explained primarily in Spanish, while exercises and drills strengthen the concepts learned. Students develop vocabulary from various media and are encouraged to communicate in oral and written Spanish. Culture and history are presented through readings, video clips, films and music.
Spanish 3 (SPA301)
4 CU, Spanish 2 is a prerequisite The curriculum in Spanish 3 is designed to urther develop all aspects of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will continue the study of grammatical patterns, verb forms and thematic vocabulary and can expect regular practice of written and oral skills. Their listening comprehension is sharpened in an immersion environment, and cultural study is implemented by reading selected articles and excerpts of literature from authentic sources. In this way, students continue to familiarize themselves with different perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. Upper Level Spanish Seminar Courses
The upper level courses promote proficiency in the language and an appreciation of the Spanishspeaking world while continually building the core skills necessary for communication: speaking, listening, writing and reading. Students are expected to communicate thoughts, wants, needs and reactions in Spanish. There are two options for students who have completed Spanish 3.
• Option 1 – Students who would benefit from further strengthening and refinement of their language skills should consider taking the 300 level year-long course Culture and
Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World.
This course reviews the more intricate aspects of Spanish grammar while also enriching other aspects of language study. Upon successful completion of this course, students may, with permission of the department chair, choose the next year to take the advanced seminar courses. • Option 2 – Students who demonstrate particular excellence in Spanish 3 may, with permission of the department chairperson, move directly into the advanced seminar courses (400 level). These electives are conducted entirely in Spanish and require students to demonstrate mastery of complex language skills as they interpret, explore, and express abstract ideas and concepts in Spanish Students will be expected not only to comprehend the content of written and spoken language, but also to conduct critical analysis of literature, film other cultural phenomena.
4 CU, Spanish 3 is a prerequisite This course emphasizes a communicative approach to language learning through which students will grow in both linguistic and cultural competency. Through connections with multiple disciplines such as film, literature, art, and music, students will both engage in authentic communicative exchanges as well as expand their knowledge of and appreciation for the diverse cultural practices and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will solidify and build upon the skills they have acquired in previous Spanish courses, and they will hone both their oral and written skills through a wide variety of creative tasks in which they will improve their ability to provide, obtain, and interpret information in Spanish.
Advanced Conversation – Café Español (SPA411)
2 CU, 2nd semester, Spanish 3 or Culture and Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World is a prerequisite, with permission of Mr. Pratt This advanced seminar course is designed for seriously committed Spanish students interested in furthering their oral proficiency towards fluency in the language. The goal of the course, conducted strictly in Spanish, is to improve the students’ listening and speaking skills in order to effectively communicate with native speakers in various settings. Students will be expected to lead discussions, make several oral presentations, speak Spanish on the phone, engage in role-play exercises, and debate in Spanish. Audio-visual and reading materials include Spanish online newspapers and media, online vidoe conferences, films, online newspapers and magazine articles, and TV. Most quizzes and tests will be oral and will include some sort of personal interview or oral group assessment. Filmmakers of the Spanish Speaking World (SPA429)
2 CU, 1st semester, Spanish 3 or Culture and Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World is a prerequisite, with permission of Mr. Pratt This advanced course will examine a variety of films from Spain and Latin America. Through cinematic presentations from a diverse group of filmmakers, writers, directors and actors, students will have the opportunity to explore trends in history, culture, society, gender issues, and politics. They will study how these and other themes have been imagined and represented cinematically. By viewing, analyzing, and discussing films in the target language, students will naturally expand their vocabulary and improve their communicative abilities.
Dictatorship in the Spanish-Speaking World: Narratives of Resistance and Resilience (SPA434)
2 CU, 1st semester, Spanish 3 or Culture and Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World is a prerequisite, with permission of Mr. Pratt The past century has seen a startling number of oppressive governments in the Spanishspeaking world. This course will explore the complex realities of dictatorship in Spain and Latin America through the lens of those individuals who spoke out against injustice and fought to give voice to those whom the oppressive regimes tried to silence. Students will explore notions of geography, international relations, and colonialism through a variety of media, including film, firsthand testimony, and photography. This advanced course will be conducted entirely in Spanish and is intended for students with a strong grasp of grammatical concepts as well as comfort with and a desire to continue working on their verbal and written expression.
The Museum of Spain: Art, Discovery and Empire (SPA432)
2 CU, 1st semester, Spanish 3 or Culture and Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World is a prerequisite, with permission of Mr. Pratt In this advanced course, students will study the culture and history of Spain through paintings and architecture, in addition to music and literature. By the end of the course, students will understand the differences between various artistic movements, such as the Romanesque and the Gothic in architecture, and also between medieval art, the Renaissance, the Baroque, and various 20th century movements, including Impressionism, Surrealism, and Expressionism. The course focuses on how the different peoples who lived in Spain throughout its history influenced and consolidated the country we know today. It explores topics such as medieval witches and their relationship with the feared Inquisition, the most relevant Spanish monarchs and interesting facts about them, and the lives of medieval knights in castles. The discovery of the New World and the Spaniards’ interactions with the Native Americans will also be discussed through travel journals of Christopher Columbus, Cabeza de Vaca, and Hernán Cortés. The final project for this class will consist of a treasure hunt/escape room in which students will challenge their peers by creating riddles, solving historical mysteries and finding hints hidden in paintings.
Latin America: Then and Now (SPA433)
2 CU, 2nd semester, Spanish 3 or Culture and Conversation in the Spanish-Speaking World is a prerequisite, with permission of Mr. Pratt This course will examine both historical and current events that have shaped and continue to impact the realities and identities of Spanishspeaking countries and peoples in Latin America. The course includes an overview of Latin American history from the Spanish conquest to the present in order for students to better contextualize the events of today. By reading newspapers, viewing newscasts and documentaries, and listening to radio programs and podcasts, students will stay current with social, political, economic, technological, artistic, and scientific trends in Latin American countries. The course will include assigned readings, in-class discussion, oral presentations, and essay writing. Through their engagement with different media forms, students will naturally expand their working vocabulary, as well as improve their reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills.
MATH
