Students - Course Catalog

Language Courses

SPAN 101-102 Elementary Spanish (4 semester hours each)
A two-semester introductory sequence in the use and comprehension of oral and written Spanish

SPAN 121-122- 202 Introductory and Intermediate Spanish (4 semester hours, 3 semester hours, 4 semester hours)
An intensive course for students who have had at least two years of Spanish in high school, but who, on the basis of a placement test, are not adequately prepared for the 200 level. In this rapid track course, which lease to 202 in the spring, students will complete the equivalent of four semesters of language study in one year.

SPAN 201-202 Intermediate Spanish (4 semester hours each)
A two-semester sequence which includes review of essential grammatical structures and further training in spoken and written Spanish. Cultural and literary readings from significant Spanish authors.
Prerequisites: 101 and 102 or other equivalents. 

SPAN 203 Intermediate Spanish (4 semester hours)
A fourth-semester course offered in the fall intended specifically for students who have successfully completed three years of high school Spanish or who, on the basis of the departmental placement test, demonstrate the requisite preparation. There is an accelerated review of essential grammar topics, as well as a study of literary and cultural readings.

SPAN 301-302 Advanced Grammar, Composition and Conversation I and II
(3 semester hours each)
This introduction and gateway to the major or minor sequence focuses on the improvement of speaking and writing skills through vocabulary acquisition and the honoring of grammatical accuracy.
Prerequisite: 202 or 203 or equivalent

Civilization Courses

SPAN 308 Introduction to the Hispanic World I (4 semester hours)
This course introduces students to major developments of the Hispanic World from antiquity to the independence of the American colonies in the early 19 th 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. Prerequisites: Spanish 301, History of the West and the World I or II, and one course in Persons in Community or Societal Structures in North America .

SPAN 309 Introduction to the Hispanic World II (4 semester hours)
This course introduces students to major developments of the Hispanic World from the independence of the Spanish American colonies to the present day. Particular attention is paid to the literary search for voice and identity. 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 is normally the second course in a sequence of two. Prerequisites : Spanish 301 and 308, or permission of instructor.

Linguistics Courses

SPAN 340 Spanish Phonology and Dialectology (3 semester hours)
An introduction to Spanish linguistics, concentrating on the sounds of Spanish (phonetics and phonology), with appropriate pronunciation practice and contrasts with English pronunciation. Included are units on the history of the Spanish language and the major dialects spoken today. Prerequisite: Spanish 301.

SPAN 341 Advanced Spanish Syntax and Sociolinguistics (3 semester hours) An introduction to Spanish linguistics, concentrating on Spanish syntax, morphology, and semantics, with specific comparisons to English and with connections to applied linguistics such as first/second language acquisition, bilingualism and language disorders. Prerequisite: Spanish 302.

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Literature Courses

SPAN 361 Latin American Literature from Colonial Period through Romanticism (3 semester hours) This course focuses on the literature of Latin America from Modernism to the present. Discussion centers on selections from major works and their relationship to society and culture then and now. The classes are conducted in Spanish. Prerequisites: 301 and 329 or concurrently with 329.

SPAN 362 Latin American Literature from Pre-Modernism to 1945 (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the literature of Latin America from Pre-Modernism to 1945. The following genres are analyzed: Pre-Modernist poetry, short story, and essay; Modernist poetry, short story, and essay; poetry and short story of the Vanguardia. Oral presentations and/or research papers are required. Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor.

SPAN 363 Contemporary Latin American Literature (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the recent literature of Latin America. The following genres are analyzed: contemporary novels, poetry, and short stories. Oral presentations and/or research papers are required. Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor. 

SPAN 366 Spanish Literature from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance (3 semester hours) This course focuses on the development of Spanish literature from its inception through the Renaissance. The following genres are analyzed: epic and lyric poetry; eclogues and the pre-Golden Age drama; and the sentimental, the pastoral, and the picaresque novel. Oral presentations and research papers are required.
Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor.

SPAN 367 Spanish Literature of the Golden Age (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the literature of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The following genres are analyzed: Renaissance and Baroque poetry; drama of the Lope and Calderon cycles; the origins of the modern Spanish novel, and the literature of the Counter-Reformation. Oral presentations and research papers are required.
Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor.

SPAN 368 Spanish Literature from the Eighteenth Century to the Present (3 semester hours) This course focuses on the Spanish literature of the eighteenth century to the present. The following genres are analyzed: Neoclassic drama, Romantic drama and poetry, essays and poetry of the Generation of '98, twentieth century poetry, drama and novel. Oral presentations and research papers are required.
Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor.

SPAN 390 Independent Study
Prerequisite: permission of the department chair.

SPAN 395 Seminar (3 semester hours)
An integrative studies capstone course on special topics.
Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor.

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Culture Courses

W81 Caricatures and Self-Portraits: Chicano Images in Literature and Film (Interim, 3 semester hours)
Students read literature by and about peoples in the Southwestern United States, leading to an understanding of how literature and film can define a distinctive Chicano identity. Students gain a sense of the ongoing emergence of Chicano culture based on discussions, written papers, presentations and proposals. Taught in Spanish.
Prerequisite: 301

SPAN 310 Hispanic Culture in the United States (3 semester hours)
A study of the history and culture of Hispanic groups in the United States, their political, social, and religious institutions, and their value systems. The course is designed to assist students in understanding the cultural contributions of each Hispanic group within the broader American culture. Reading materials include literary and nonliterary sources.
Prerequisite: 301

SPAN 37x Advanced Cultural Topics (3 semester hours)
Through film, music, art, culture, journalistic interviews, history, and literature, this elective course fosters a deeper understanding of a specific theme or issue in Hispanic culture. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Hispanic World I or II. Students may repeat a 37x course if the topic is different.

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Spanish for the Professions

320 Business Spanish (3). * I, alternate years. An introduction to the terminology and standard forms of oral and written communication in Spanish relating to the fields of business and economics. This course also considers the cultural and economic context of business practices in the Hispanic world. Designed for advanced students of Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 301. Not offered Interim 2007.

W82 Spanish for Healthcare Workers/Professionals (3). I, alternate years. An introduction to the terminology and cultural rhetoric of oral and written communication in Spanish relating to the fields of medicine and social work. The course helps students develop language skills and increase cultural awareness of healthcare practices and needs for the patient or client of Hispanic background. Spanish grammar is reviewed while discussing medical and cultural issues, body language, and cross-cultural communications. Students are evaluated by means of in-class presentations/projects, vocabulary quizzes, unit tests, and a final paper or examination. Prerequisites: Spanish 202/203, or permission of instructor.

Integrative Studies Courses

SPAN 395 Palabra y mundo (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on the recent literature of Latin America. The following genres are analyzed: contemporary novels, poetry, and short stories. Oral presentations and/or research papers are required. Prerequisite: one course from 330-333 or permission from the instructor. 

Education Courses

SPAN 356 Introduction to Elementary World-Languages Pedagogy
(3 semester hours)
Theory and practice of foreign language teaching in the elementary school. Study of language skill development, second language acquisition, methodologies, curricula and programs. Off-campus school visits for observation and aiding experience. Should be taken after Education 302/303 and prior to Education 346 and Education 359. Required for elementary and K-12 endorsement.

SPAN 357 Introduction to Secondary World-Languages Pedagogy (3 semester hours)
An introduction to the major principles and practices of foreign language pedagogy, offering a study of various methodologies and the major controversies associated with them. The course explores how a Christian approach to education affects foreign language pedagogy and how foreign language pedagogy interacts with the language learner's personal growth. It also introduces the prospective educator to the teaching of the basic skills, to issues in evaluation and assessment, and the use of technologies in the foreign language classroom. This course should be taken in the junior or senior year, prior to student teaching. Required for secondary certification.
Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrently taking Education 302/303

SPAN 358 Aiding in the World-Language Classroom (Interim, 3 semester hours) Students participating in this seminar will plan and facilitate small group sessions for Spanish 122. Morning activities include meeting with other aides and the professor, observing master teachers, and aiding master teachers in teaching. Afternoon activities include leading sessions with Spanish 122 students and planning lessons, materials, and activities under the supervision of the professor. Students will be evaluated based on their competency in the Spanish language, professional evaluations of teaching sessions and lesson plans/ materials, participating in class discussions, daily diaries, and oral presentation.
Prerequisite: 301 with a final grade of a B or higher

SPAN 359 Seminar in Secondary World-Languages Pedagogy (3 semester hours)
A seminar reinforcing the major principles and practices of foreign language pedagogy on the secondary level for students during their semester of directed teaching. The course will provide an opportunity for collaborative work on putting theoretical and pedagogical matters of immediate concern into a practical framework. This course is required concurrently with Education 346. This course does not count as part of the major or minor program.
Prerequisites: Education 302/303 and successful completion of the department proficiency exam

IDIS 301 Bilingual and ESL Education for Elementary Teachers
(3 semester hours)
This course prepares students to teach in classrooms where English is the second language, helping them bring their knowledge of second language acquisition to classroom settings. In this course, students will learn to recognize linguistic, cognitive, affective and social factors that influence the acquisition of another language. Course topics include student placement, classroom methods and materials, curriculum and assessment. Students in the bilingual program take this course before student teaching and observe/ aide in the elementary education classrooms. Students in the Interdisciplinary ESL non-education minor observe in elementary classrooms. Students in the ESL minor leading to an ESL endorsement on a Michigan Teacher's Certificate must take Education 348 concurrently with Interdisciplinary 301.

IDIS 302 Bilingual and ESL Education for Secondary Teachers
(3 semester hours)
This course prepares students to teach in classrooms where English is the second language, helping them bring their knowledge of second language acquisition to classroom settings. In this course, students will learn to recognize linguistic, cognitive, affective and social factors that influence the acquisition of another language. Course topics include student placement, classroom methods and materials, curriculum and assessment. Students in the bilingual program take this course before student teaching and observe/ aide in secondary or adult education classrooms. Students in the Interdisciplinary ESL non-education minor observe in secondary or adult education classrooms. Students in the ESL minor leading to an ESL endorsement on a Michigan Teacher's Certificate must take Education 349 concurrently with Interdisciplinary 301.

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