Students - Handbook

Overseas Programs

Important notes
  1. All non-education Spanish majors (including those with group majors of which Spanish is a part) must take one upper-level literature course on the Calvin campus.
  2. Participants in a semester abroad program must have a GPA of 2.5 and sophomore standing.
  3. Participants in an interim abroad program must have a GPA of 2.0 and preferably sophomore standing.
  4. Please note that students on disciplinary probation cannot go off-campus for at least 12 months after they are sanctioned.
Spanish Studies Semester in Honduras

Calvin's Spanish Department conducts a full-time language and literature program for advanced Spanish students in Tegucigalpa during the fall semester, including a 2-week orientation in late August. Students earn a total of 14-16 hours of credit toward their Spanish major or minor. They also live individually with Honduran families and participate in various excursions to local sites in and around Tegucigalpa, as well as excursions to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Mayan ruins at Copán in Honduras. Click here for more information about the program. Prerequisite: Spanish 301. Director of the program is Prof. O. Leder.

Check out the weblog from this semester, up to date information about what is happening with the group that is there right now: http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/honduras05

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Development Studies Semester in Honduras

Calvin's Sociology Department conducts an International Development Studies program in Tegucigalpa during the spring semester. Students earn 9 hours of sociology credit in courses taught in English, as well as 3-6 hours of Spanish credit. Students live with families and participate in excursions to Mayan ruins, squatters' camps, and remote villages. Click here for more information about the program. The Spanish Department advisors for this program are Prof. M. Bierling during the fall semester and Prof. O. Leder during the spring semester.

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Study in Spain

The Spanish Department offers a full-time language and literature program for both basic and advanced students in Denia , Spain during the interim and spring semester. Basic students fulfill their core language requirement, earning a total of 19 credits. Advanced students earn between 15 and 17 credits toward a major or minor in Spanish. Students live individually with Spanish families and participate in excursions to Madrid , Barcelona , and Andalucía. Click here for more information about the program. Prerequisite for Advanced Program: Spanish 301. Director of the program is Prof. A. Tigchelaar.

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Interim in the Yucatán

Students in this course spend three weeks immersed in Mexican culture in Mérida, Yucatán, living with families and attending daily lecture classes. Students also take excursions to Mayan ruins, attend religious and cultural events, and keep a detailed journal. Click here for more information about the program. Instructor for the 2006 interim is Prof. M. Bierling.

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May Term in Argentina: Language, Landscape, Legacy

Students in the four-week May term spend 23 days in and around Buenos Aires in addition to excursions to C ó rdoba and Misiones (Iguazú Falls). They discuss readings and lectures and visit churches and points of cultural interest. Language credit students are lodged with Argentine families. A journal, an on-site report, and a final essay are required. With advisor approval the course can count both as an interim and as three semester hours of elective credit toward a program in History, Spanish, or Missions. Prerequisite: Spanish 202 or its equivalent. Instructor for 2006 is Prof. D. Zandstra.

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Mediterranean Crossings: Muslim Presence in France and Spain

This January 2007 interim course explores the historical background of relations between the Muslims of North Africa and the European countries of Spain and France . Students consider deeper issues underlying current immigration in Europe as they visit sites in Spain and France with large concentrations of Muslim immigrants. A visit to Morocco will provide background on the homeland of some of the immigrants. Knowledge of French or Spanish is helpful but not required. This interim course is for general interim credit (not for Spanish or French credit). The instructors are Prof. C. Slagter and Prof. L. Mathews.

Calvin College Interims Sponsored by Other Departments

Various departments other than Spanish have offered interims in Latin American countries in the past, with emphasis on art, medicine, biology, history, and physical education. Although most of these interims do not offer Spanish credit, they are excellent opportunities to travel and to learn more about Latin American culture and current issues. Keep your eyes open for each year's listings!

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Other Programs

Students may design other programs appropriate to their concentrations in consultation with their major or minor advisor in the Spanish Department and with the Off-Campus Programs office. Examples in the recent past have been participation in programs through the Council of Christian Colleges in Costa Rica (LASP program), Central College , Trinity Christian College , Azusa Pacific University , and Wheaton College . All course work must be approved in advance by Calvin's Spanish Department, and Calvin financial aid may not apply.

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