Eligibility
You must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and sophomore status to study in Honduras. Because the semester is an advanced Spanish studies program, you must have completed at least Spanish 301 at Calvin.
Cost
The final program cost is based on many factors and is not known exactly until the number of students in the group has been identified. The financial information page covers the details that go into the cost of the program and rough estimates for each. The Spring 2012 program cost is expected to be within $1000 of Calvin tuition and room and board on campus. More specific cost information will be sent with your acceptance letter. The price for the Honduras semester will include:
- Tuition
- Roundtrip air transportation Grand Rapids/Tegucigalpa
- Full room and board with Honduran families
- Administrative fee
- Program excursions in Honduras, Guatemala & Nicaragua
Additional expenses not included in the program fee: passport, books, medical insurance (required), independent travel and spending money.
Accommodations
You will live with a Honduran family in San Lucia, a beautiful town in the mountains 20 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa.
Courses
You must have taken Spanish 301 at Calvin before participating in the Spanish Semester is Honduras.
Interim/Spring Program
All courses are taught in Spanish. You must enroll in SPHO 205 and SPHO 315, and then choose among the remaining courses for a total of 12–16 hours during the semester.
Watch a video about La Universidad Pedagogica Nacional where some of these courses are taught.
| SPHO 205: Poverty and Development | |
| Analysis of development theories and major issues such as population, the environment, and globalization, and the role Christian values can play in shaping responses to them. Includes several field trips. | 3 semester hours, fulfills Global and Historical Studies core and elective for International Development and Missions minors |
| SPHO 315: Engaging Honduran Culture | |
| A weekly seminar in which students compare and reflect on what they have learned from readings, interviews, and daily experiences. Includes speakers and excursions. | 3 semester hours, fulfills CCE credit |
| SPHO 302: Advanced Grammar, Conversation, and Composition II | |
| A continuation of Spanish 301 and the second gateway course to the major or minor sequence. Designed to improve speaking and writing skills through vocabulary acquisition, honing of grammatical accuracy, and extensive practice in oral and written communication. | 3 semester hours |
| SPHO 308: Introduction to the Hispanic World | |
| This course introduces students to the major developments of the Hispanic World from antiquity to the independence of the American colonies in the early 19th century. Discussions center on the relationship of major literary and artistic works to economic, political, religious, and social developments in the Iberian Peninsula and the Castilian colonies in the Americas. This course is normally the first in a sequence of two and is designed to prepare students for advanced-level culture and literature courses. | 4 semester hours, fulfills Global and Historical Studies core |
| SPHO 309: Introduction to the Hispanic World II | |
| This course introduces students to major developments of the Hispanic World from the independence of the Spanish American colonies to the present day. Discussions center on the relationship of major literary and artistic works to economic, political, religious, and social developments in Spain and Spanish America. In addition, students develop their skills in reading and evaluating literature in a second language through representative texts, and they sharpen their skills in critical writing and analysis. This course in normally the second course in a sequence of two and is designed to prepare students for advanced-level culture and literature courses. | 4 semester hours, fulfills Literature core |
| SPHO 364: Central American Authors | |
| An in-depth study of major Central American authors and works. The course requires the reading of several complete texts and the writing of a major research paper. Prerequisites: Spanish 308 and 309, or permission of the program director. | 3 semester hours |
| SPHO 390: Independent Study | |
| Course taken at the Universidad Pedagógica. Prerequisite: Spanish 308, 309, and permission of the program director. | 3 semester hours |
| SPHO 393: Independent Ethnographic Study | |
| Placement in a local agency, school, or business to observe and/or participate in a work setting. Prerequisite: permission of the program director. | 2 semester hours |
Apply
First, submit a preliminary application to the Off-Campus Programs office. Once your eligibility for the program is determined (within 1–2 weeks), you will be sent an application via e-mail.
The final application deadline for this program will be due September 25.
Guest students may apply for this program.
Contact
Program Director, Spring 2013
Pablo Villalta, Spanish department
Email: pvillalt@calvin.edu
616.523.7717
Past and Future Program Directors
Spring 2010 (in Mexico): Olga Leder
Spring 2011: Pablo Villalta
Spring 2012:
Pablo Villalta
Spring 2014: TBD
