Spanish Course Descriptions

SPAN 101-102 Beginning Spanish I and II (3, 3)

These introductory courses are aimed at developing basic communicative proficiency in Spanish and also offer insight into Spanish-speaking cultures. (101 Fall; 102 Spring)

SPAN 201-202 Intermediate Spanish I and II (3, 3)

These intermediate courses review material typically covered in a first-year Spanish course. They are aimed at building student proficiency in all four language skills—listening, speaking, reading and writing—and enhancing knowledge of the cultures of Spanish-speaking people. (201 Fall; 202 Spring)

SPAN 210 Intermediate Spanish Conversation (1)

Students learn vocabulary for a variety of daily conversational situations and strive toward intermediate speaking proficiency.

SPAN 250 Study Tour: Selected Geographical Area (1-3)

Group cultural study tour in a particular geographical area in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will enhance their general cultural knowledge of that region with a Mount professor. This course is conducted in English. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN 270 Study Abroad: Selected Geographical Area (3-12)

Individual or group study in a particular geographical area in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will complete language skills courses at an approved foreign language institute or university equivalent to 200-level foreign language Mount courses. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN 275 Peru Experience (1)

A cultural learning experience during which students or members of the Mount community perform service-learning work. The cultural component includes visiting various Incan sites surrounding Cusco along with a trip to Machu Picchu. (Every Fall break)

SPAN 285 Mexico (1)

A cultural learning experience each May to a Mexican city (Oaxaca, Querétaro, Cuetzalan). Students will work between 12 to 16 hours a week on a project helping the needy. The cultural component of the experience includes visiting Pre-Colombian or colonial sites that connect the student to the culture and the lives of those in need whom they serve. (Every May)

SPAN 290 Spain Experience (1)

A trip every three years to Madrid-Toledo or Madrid-Salamanca during Spring Break. Students will be helping the communities in need in the mornings as the afternoons are set aside for the cultural aspects of this service-learning experience.

SPAN 301 Spanish Grammar and Composition (3)

Students learn to express themselves clearly and correctly in written Spanish; includes a review of grammar and practice in formal writing. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 302 Advanced Conversation (3)

Students learn to express themselves clearly and correctly when they speak Spanish and to understand Spanish spoken in a variety of contexts. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. SPAN 301 is not a prerequisite for SPAN 302. This course is not open to native speakers of Spanish.

SPAN 310 Spanish for the Professions (3)

The purpose is to help students acquire a business and political science vocabulary. The first part of the course will deal with business; the second with political science. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 320 Spanish Civilization and Culture I (3)

An overview of the major periods in early Spanish cultural history from the Middle Ages to the Golden Age. Various aspects of early Spanish society and culture are studied: history, religion, art, and music. Pre-requisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 325 Latin American Culture (3)

The study of various aspects of contemporary culture of Latin America—art, music, cuisine, film, drama, religion and society. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 330 Spanish Civilization and Culture II (3)

This course provides an overview of the major periods in Spanish history and culture from the 18th to the 21st century. Major periods include the rise of the Bourbon Monarchy in Spain, the First and Second Carlist War of the 19th century, the Restoration, the Spanish Civil War, the Franco and the post-Franco era. Various aspects of contemporary Spanish society and culture from these periods are studied: history, religion, art, and music. Pre-requisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. SPAN 320 is not a pre-requisite for this course.

SPAN 335 Latin American Civilization (3)

The study of Pre-Colombian civilizations up to the Colonial period. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 340 Español Callejero (3)

The study of idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, words and expressions used by native speakers, how the meaning of one word changes from country to country in the Hispanic world and other practical vocabulary not learned in regular grammar or conversation classes. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 350 Survey of Spanish Literature I (3)

This course provides an overview of the major periods and texts of Spanish literature from the Golden Age until the Enlightenment. Emphasizes readings from the primary texts, but will also include some historical material. Course requirements will include a midterm, short paper, and a final exam. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 351 Survey of Spanish Literature II (3)

A survey of major Spanish texts and authors from the beginning of the Enlightenment to the contemporary period. We will study literary movements such as neoclassicism, romantic and post-Franco literature. Research paper, midterm, and final exam. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. SPAN 350 is not a pre-requisite for this course.

SPAN 355 Survey of Latin American Literature (3)

A survey of Latin American Literature from the pre-Columbian times to contemporary period. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 360 Experiencia Patagonica (3)

Students examine both the Patagonian and broader Argentine cultures in class and experience the cultures of their study through mandatory study abroad in Argentina.  

SPAN 370 Study Abroad: Costa Rica (6 credits)

Students develop language skills at an approved foreign language institute or university in Costa Rica equivalent to 300-level foreign language Mount courses. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN 375 Study Abroad: Selected Geographical Area (3-12 credits)

Individual or group study in a particular geographical area in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will complete language skills courses at an approved foreign language institute or university equivalent to 300-level foreign language Mount courses. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN 410 Culture and Gender in Nineteenth-Century Spain (3)

The 19th century in Spain was a period of dramatic social, literary, political, and economic shifts. Throughout this period, women’s roles as wives and mothers received a greater amount of attention in Spanish literature and popular culture than in previous centuries. In particular, periodicals and cultural essayists praised women for their role in maintaining the stability of the Spanish state. It is within this socio-historical context that we will study various 19th-century Spanish texts (both literary and non-literary). In addition, we will explore how definitions of gender in Spain compared and contrasted with those held elsewhere in Europe.

SPAN 415 Fantastic Genre (3)

A study of Magic Realism and the development of the fantastic genre in Latin American literature from the 19th century to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 425 Latin American Women Writers (3)

The study of Latin American women writers. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 435 Ficción Latinoamericana (3)

The study of short stories or novels. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 460 Topics: Peninsular Literature (3)

A study of some aspect of literature from Spain—a particular author(s), theme, work or genre. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 465 Topics: Latin American Studies (3)

A study of some aspect of literature from Latin America—a particular author(s), theme, work or genre. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 470 Senior Spanish Capstone Experience (1)

Through a review and reconsideration of significant cultural and literary readings studied throughout the major program, students will demonstrate in writing and speaking their ability to "read," the products of a culture, to synthesize its practices, and finally to interpret and reflect upon the perspectives of the target Hispanic cultures. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

SPAN 475 Study Abroad: Selected Geographical Area (3-12)

Individual or group study in a particular geographical area in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will complete culture or literature courses at an approved foreign language institute or university equivalent to 400-level foreign language Mount courses. May be repeated for credit.

SPAN 480 Internship (credits to be determined)

An off-campus work experience that develops Spanish language proficiencies. Permission of the instructor, the department chair and the dean of academic services is required.

SPAN 398 Independent Study (1-3)

Supervised individual work in selected areas of Spanish language, literature, or culture. Permission of the instructor, the department chair and the dean is required.

*Upon successful completion (a minimum grade of C) of four courses at the 300 level, the student will earn a Certificate of Proficiency.