Spanish Courses
Please note: You will find some differences between what is found on this page and what currently appears in the current academic catalogue. Information found on this page is the most recent and the catalogue should be updated in late Fall.
101, 102, 103 Exploring the Spanish World I, II, III (1 course each) A sequential three-semester program that introduces you to the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. As you explore this new world, you will learn to communicate and interact with native speakers of Spanish and progressively gain an understanding of the Hispanic world, and at the same time, new insights into your own culture. You will begin to develop cultural and linguistic competency through cultural readings and other media, as well as through digital media creation, writing, oral and other experiential practices. Prerequisites: If previous instruction in Spanish, students are required to take the placement test. Refer to the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures website for more information about the language requirement and placement: http://gustavus.edu/academics/academics/departments/modern-languages-literatures-and-cultures/languagecoursereq.php . SPA-101 is intended for students with little or no previous knowledge of Spanish. SPA-101 is the prerequisite for SPA-102; SPA-102 is the prerequisite for SPA-103; or an equivalent course; or placement by exam. Offered annually.
200 Crossing Borders (1 course) This course focuses on the complex reality of immigration between the U.S. and Mexico. We will discuss the challenges Mexican immigrants face before leaving their country of origin, during their journey and upon their arrival to the U.S. You will review intermediate Spanish to strengthen your skills and become more proficient in the language of instruction. We will read the memoirs of a migrant family and analyze contemporary audiovisual materials related to the topic. Several pedagogical methods are applied in this course, including community-based learning, which engages students in real world learning. This course requires a considerable amount of effort on your part, in addition to 15 hours of Community Based Learning outside of class. Please plan accordingly. This course counts toward the LALACS major/minor. Prerequisite: SPA-103 or equivalent.
244 Special Topics in Hispanic Studies (1 course) Course content varies and explores a topic or problem in depth through reading, discussion and writing. Course taught in English. More than one special topic may be taken. Offered occasionally.
250 Negotiating Difference in the Hispanic World (1 course) In this course you will read a novel written by a Hispanic author. You will learn about Hispanic culture while studying advanced grammar and writing. The novel will offer you the possibility to explore how cultural and ideological differences are negotiated in the Hispanic world. With the novels as the starting point, students will also learn many idioms and expressions that will be needed to be fluent in Spanish. You will also write a series of creative and original compositions. In class we will employ diverse learning techniques-grammar review, paired work, small-group work, all-class discussions, peer editing, process writing, oral presentations and round-table discussions-to provide you with the appropriate opportunities to enhance your language skills as you learn cultural and linguistic content through the active use of the Spanish language. Intended for Spanish majors, minors, and those wishing to improve their writing skills in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPA-200 with a minimum grade of C, or an equivalent course or placement by exam. WRITI, Fall and Spring semesters.
280 Social Interaction through Literatures and Film (1 course) This course introduces students to the study of Literatures in Spanish through short literary and cinematic texts. Students study literary terminology and methods of analysis, and practice the analysis and discussion of Literatures in Spanish. Texts by Spanish and Latin American authors, and films are selected from across literary periods. This course requires fifteen hours of community engagement. Prerequisite: SPA-250 or equivalent. WRITD, LARS. Fall and Spring semesters.
320 From Latin American to Latinos in the U.S. (1 course) In this course you will explore ideas of identity in Latin America starting with the Spanish Conquest and pausing to analyze highlights in subsequent centuries through present day. Latinos in the U.S., popular Culture in Latin America and in the U.S. will be used as the foreground for analysis. This course is taught entirely in Spanish. Discussions, student writing and community engagement are a major component of the course. This course requires fifteen hours of community engagement. This course counts toward the LALACS major/minor. Prerequisite: SPA-280. HIPHI. Fall semester.
321 From Local to Global: The Faces of Spain (1 course) This course traces the development of a Spanish identity through the study of the Spanish people as a diverse, multi-cultural society. The course examines how the fusion of the indigenous, Roman, northern European, and African elements, and the conflict between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religions produces one of Europe’s richest and most unique cultures. Taught in Spanish. Discussions and student writing are a major component of the course. Prerequisite: SPA-280. Spring semester.
322 Literary Cities of Latin America (1 course) In this course students will examine the representation of cities and urban spaces in Latin America through one or more canonic literary works from the region, developing connections between literary strategies and lived experiences of cities, encompassing several historical periods. Students will also consider the tensions between urban and countryside spaces. Students will practice the analysis and discussion of texts in Spanish to help improve their oral and written skills.. Prerequisites: SPA-250 and SPA-280. GLBL. Offered in fall semester, odd years.
323 Love, Sex, and Power in Spanish Literatures (1 course) In this course students will examine representations of love, sex, and sexuality in selected masterworks of Spanish Literatures. Students will practice the analysis and discussion of texts in Spanish to help improve their oral and written skills. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisites: SPA-250 and SPA-280. Offered in spring semester, even years.
330 Thinking in Spanish Beyond Translation (1 course) In this course you will learn why Spanish native speakers say what they say, so that you can use this logic in your learning of the language. You will study the important patterns of Spanish and why they occur through analysis of literary works, cultural readings and famous cartoons, as well as by interviewing native speakers of Spanish. You will also write a series of creative and original compositions. In class diverse learning techniques will be employed (grammar review, paired work, small-group work, all-class discussions, peer-editing, process writing) to provide you with appropriate opportunities to learn how to analyze Spanish on your own. This course is required of all majors and teaching minors, and is strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their grammar and writing skills at the advanced level. Prerequisites: SPA-250 and SPA-280, or equivalent. WRITD, Spring semester, even years.
344 Special Topics in Spanish (1 course, 1 course) Topic varies yearly. Course content will vary and will explore a topic or problem in depth through reading, discussion, and writing. Prerequisites: SPA-320, SPA-321, SPA-322, and SPA-323. Spring semester, odd years.
370 Spanish through Linguistics (1 course) In this course you will explore linguistic answers to real questions that you confront when studying Spanish. You will read and discuss articles written by Hispanic linguists about important issues such as language acquisition, translation, dialectical variation, language contact, Spanish in the U.S., and the historical development of Spanish. You will also be introduced to specific levels of linguistic analysis such as phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. Throughout this course you will interview native speakers of Spanish, and collect original data as part of your own research study. In class diverse learning techniques will be employed (lectures, discussions, pair or small group activities, and problem-solving exercises) that will give you opportunities to discuss many important issues from a linguistic point of view. Required of all majors and teaching minors. Prerequisite: SPA-280. Fall semester.
375 Gender and Sexual Identities in the Spanish-Speaking World (1 course) Cultural production in Spanish has long engaged with the many ways in which sex and gender are "done" (i.e. performed) and undone. This course profiles fiction and non-fiction writings, as well as film on these topics authored by women and LGBTQQI persons from many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, with an emphasis on the intersection of gender and sex with class, race, religion, and ethnicity. This course counts toward the Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies and LALACS majors/minors. Prerequisites: SPA-250 and SPA-280. Fall semester, even years.
390 Through the Lens: Film in Spanish (1 course) This is an introductory course on the study of cinematography. You will view films from Spanish-speaking countries and analyze them from various perspectives. Following the weekly screening, you will engage in discussion using vocabulary specific to film analysis. You will also make your own film as a way to explore how to express ideas, tell a story and engage audiences “through the lens”. All films, discussion, and written assignments are in Spanish. Prerequisites: SPA-250 and SPA-280. Spring semester, odd years.
291, 391 Independent Study (Course value to be determined) Independent study project and a scholarly paper. Prerequisite: A minimum of three courses in Spanish Literatures or permission of the instructor.