Phone: 616-331-3203
Modern Languages and Literatures

B-2-243 Mackinac Hall
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401

Spanish (SPA) Requirements for Major and Minor Programs

Students majoring in Spanish are required to take a minimum of 33 credits in this subject beyond the 200-level, including SPA 321, 322, one Civilization and Culture course (from SPA 310, 311, 312 or 313), one Survey of Literature course (either SPA 331 or SPA 332), SPA 330, one 400-level literature course, and SPA 495 (capstone). In addition, students seeking elementary and secondary certification must take a second Civilization and Culture course, SPA 314, and SPA 335, for a total of 36 credits.

All students are urged to declare the major at the beginning of their sophomore year and to take courses beyond the minimum number, particularly those in Civilization and Culture and literature. Students should also seriously contemplate taking advantage of the various semester and year-long study abroad opportunities, and they are encouraged to consider a minor that will complement the major such as Latin American Studies, business, or another language.

The minor in Spanish is designed for students majoring in the professions or other disciplines who wish to enhance their knowledge of the primary field by perfecting their Spanish language skills and comprehension of culture. Students choosing Spanish as a minor program must complete a total of 21 hours of Spanish beyond the 200-level. The minor is especially geared toward students in the professions; it is strongly recommended that minors take the appropriate courses for their field (from SPA 304, 305, and 306), as well as SPA 303, Professional Writing. In addition, students choosing Spanish as a teachable minor must take two Civilization and Culture courses, SPA 314, and SPA 335. The total number of credits required for the minor is the same regardless of the emphasis.

Credits for 101, 102, 150, 201, 202, 203, or 204 will not be counted toward the major or minor.

Suggested progression of courses for the Major:

Work toward the major should begin in a student's sophomore year in order to complete the program in four years. The suggested distribution of courses is as follows:

Sophomore Year

  • First semester: SPA 321 Conversation and Composition I; oneelective from SPA 300 Reading and Telling Stories, SPA 308 Spanish Phonetics.
  • Second semester: SPA 322 Conversation and Composition II; oneelective from SPA 300 Reading and Telling Stories, SPA 308 Spanish Phonetics.

Teaching majors should take SPA 314 Teaching Methods at this point.

Junior Year

  • First semester: SPA 330 Introduction to Literary Analysis OR SPA 331 Survey of Spanish Literature; one Civilization and Culture course from SPA 310 Spanish Civilization and Culture, SPA 311 Spanish American Civilization and Culture I, SPA 312 Spanish American Civilization and Culture II, SPA 313 U.S. Latino Civilization and Culture;
  • Second semester: SPA 330 Introduction to Literary Analysis OR SPA 332 Survey of Spanish American Literature; oneelective from SPA 300 Reading and Telling Stories, SPA 308 Spanish Phonetics, SPA 309 Advance Grammar; a second Civilization and Culture course; either SPA 330 or 332 if not taken above.

Teaching majors should take a second Civilization and Culture course at this point.

Senior Year

  • First semester: One 400-level literature course; one elective from SPA 303 Professional Writing, SPA 327 History of the Spanish Language, SPA 329 Spanish Sociolinguistics, SPA 335 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics, a second 400-level literature course, a second Civilization and Culture course, a second survey course.

Teaching majors should take SPA 335 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics at this point.

  • Second semester: SPA 495 Capstone.

Note: Majors may also take any of the Spanish for the professions courses as electives at any time.Courses of Instruction

Classes are conducted primarily in Spanish.

SPA 101 Elementary Spanish I.

An introduction to the language with emphasis on understanding, speaking, and reading, complemented by taped materials available in the language laboratory. Not for credit for students with prior college Spanish or more than two semesters of high school Spanish. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 102 Elementary Spanish II.

Offered fall and winter semesters.Continuation of 101. Students may not receive credit for both 102 and 150. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 101, or credit, or appropriate placement test score. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 150 Intensive Elementary Spanish.

One-semester review of elementary Spanish for students with prior study but who are not adequately prepared for 200-level courses. Covers the same material as 101 and 102. Not open to students with credit in Spanish 101 or 102 or their equivalent. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school background or placement test score. Four credits.

SPA 180 Special Topics in Spanish

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 100-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Variable credit. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 201 Intermediate Spanish I

Special emphasis on oral and reading practice based on literary texts; review of grammar supplemented with taped materials in the language laboratory. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 102 or 150, or credit, or appropriate placement test score. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II

Continuation of 201. Introduction of writing techniques. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 201, or "credit," or appropriate placement test score. Fulfills World Perspectives requirement. Four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 203: Spanish for Heritage Speakers

An intermediate Spanish course for students who grew up listening to and/or speaking Spanish. Focus on developing all four language skills, with special emphasis on the needs of heritage learners. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Four credits. Offered fall semesters.

SPA 204: Supplemental Spanish Grammar

An intermediate-level review of Spanish grammar designed for students who have weak language skills. This course provides a rigorous grammar review of the entire verb system (tense, mood, voice, and aspect), clause structure and the pronominal system. Prerequisite: 202. Four credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 280 Special Topics in Spanish.

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 200-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content differs. . Variable credit. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 300 Reading and Telling Stories.

This course introduces some of the most important short story writers from Spain and Latin America of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is designed to aid students to develop reading strategies, as well as to become more skilled story-tellers. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 202, or credit, or appropriate placement test score. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters. Course is part of Theme 18: "Creativity: Ideas and Innovation"

SPA 303 Professional Writing

Builds practical writing skills in written Spanish to enable students to produce documents pertinent to their future professional careers. Designed for the Spanish minor, with an emphasis on linguistic and cultural registers of written Spanish and on specialized vocabulary. Contains a service-learning component. Prerequisite: 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 304 Spanish for Health Professionals

A third-year Spanish course designed to prepare students in the health professions to successfully communicate with Spanish-speaking clientele. Prerequisite: 202 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester.

SPA 305 Spanish for Law Enforcement

This course is designed to teach the specialized vocabulary and terminology necessary for law enforcement professionals to communicate in Spanish. A review of relevant grammatical structures will also be presented. In addition, cross cultural differences, cultural sensitivity, and language variation as they relate to issues of law enforcement will be central themes of this course. Prerequisite: 202 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 306 Spanish for Business

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the Spanish business terminology and to teach the fundamentals of practical commercial correspondence (oral and written) in advertising, insurance, transportation, banking, and foreign trade. Special attention will be paid to cross cultural differences and similarities in specific countries. Prerequisite: 202 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester.
 
SPA 307 Death and Dying in Hispanic Literature

Examines the literary representations of and responses to death and dying within the historical and cultural context of Spain and Latin America through the reading and discussion of representative poetic, dramatic, and narrative works. Course does not count toward the major or minor when taught in English. May be used toward the General Education requirement in the Theme category. Does not count toward Spanish major or minor. Three credits. Offered winter semester. Course is part of Theme 14: "Death and Dying"

SPA 308 Spanish Phonetics

Introduction to the sound system of Spanish. Phonetic transcription of texts in Spanish. Prerequisite: Completion of 202 with a grade of C (not a C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 309 Advanced Spanish Grammar

A study of the syntax and morphology of Spanish designed to give students a deeper understanding of the language and to increase their accuracy and range in the use of it. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 310 Spanish Civilization and Culture

An introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of Spain. Fulfills World Perspectives requirement. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester.  

SPA 311 Latin American Civilization and Culture I

An introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of Latin America up to the 1800s. Fulfills World Perspectives requirement. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 312 Latin American Civilization and Culture II

Designed to provide students with the knowledge of major historical, literary, and cultural moments in Latin America from Independence to the present day. Fulfills World Perspectives requirement. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester.  

SPA 313 US Latino/a Civilization and Culture

An introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of Latinos/as in the United States that leads to an appreciation and awareness of the cultural roots and current lifestyles of these groups. Fulfills U.S. Diversity requirement. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 314 Teaching Methods

This course provides future Spanish teachers with an introduction to the basic concepts of Spanish pedagogy with particular emphasis on the communicative approach. Students will learn to write lesson plans, design and teach communicative activities, and create appropriate evaluation materials such as exams and quizzes. Prerequisite: Completion of 202 with a grade of C (not C-). Three credits. Offered winter semester.

SPA 321 Composition and Conversation I

First of a two-part sequence designed to improve proficiency in oral skills and academic writing in Spanish as well as listening and reading skills. Course will present a systematic review of grammar and promote the acquisition of new vocabulary in the context of Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 202, or credit, or appropriate placement test score. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 322 Composition and Conversation II

Second of a two-part sequence designed to improve proficiency in oral skills and academic writing in Spanish as well as listening and reading skills. Course will present a systematic review of grammar and promote the acquisition of new vocabulary in the context of Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: C (not C-) or better in 321. Three credits. Offered winter semester.

SPA 324 Spanish-American Novel in Translation

A study of the twentieth-century Spanish-American novel. Three credits. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 325 Early Spanish Literature in Translation

A survey of Spanish literature from its beginnings to 1800, including Don Quixote and other works of the Golden Age. Three credits. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 326 Modern Spanish Literature in Translation

A survey of Spanish literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Three credits. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 327 The History of the Spanish Language

An introduction to the phonological, morphological, and syntactic evolutions and changes that took place as Spanish developed from spoken Latin. Prerequisite: 308 and 309 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semesters in even-numbered years.

SPA 329 Sociolinguistics of Spanish

An introduction to the relationship between Spanish language and society, including the evolution of Spanish in Spain and Latin America, dialectal variation, Spanish in contact with other languages, and Spanish as a component of individual and group identity. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 with a grade of C (not C-) or better, or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 330 Introduction to Literary Analysis

Introduction to the literary analysis of the narrative, poetry, and drama of Spain and Spanish America. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 plus three credits at the 300 level with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 331 Survey of Spanish Literature

A historically grounded survey of the principal literary works and movements of Spain. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 plus six credits at the 300 level with a grade of C (not C-) or better. May be taken in conjunction with SPA 330. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

SPA 332 Survey of Spanish American Literature

A historically grounded survey of the principal literary works and movements of Spanish America. Prerequisite: Completion of 322 plus six credits at the 300 level with a grade of C (not C-) or better. May be taken in conjunction with SPA 330. Three credits. Offered winter semester.

SPA 335 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics

A general introduction to modern linguistic concepts, applied especially to the Spanish language. Includes the sound system (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), the structure of utterances (syntax), meaning and usage (semantics and pragmatics), and language variation. Prerequisite: Spanish 309 with a grade of C (not C-)or better or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered winter semester

SPA 378 Contemporary Latin American Literature

A survey of Spanish literature of the past three decades in English translations, taking in a variety of nations, regions, and cultures, including Afro-Latin and Indigenous voices. Genres to be studied include the novel, the short story poetry, drama, testimonial narrative, speeches, folklore, and film. Prerequisite: WRT 150 and one literature course (SPA 330 for Spanish majors). Three credits. Offered winter semesters in even-numbered years. Cross-listed with ENG 378/LAS 378

SPA 380 Special Topics in Spanish.

Offered on sufficient demand

SPA 399 Independent Reading

One to four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 410 Spanish American Narrative

Study of some of the major prose writers of the twentieth century. Prerequisite: Completion of 330 and 332 with a grade of C (not C-) or better, or permission of instructor. Three credits, Offered fall semester in even-numbered years.

SPA 420 Topics in Early Spanish Literature

A study of Spanish literature before 1700, centered around a thematic or genetic framework relevant to the cultural climate of Spain. Topics may include the Evolution of Early Spanish Literature, Love and Honor in Golden Age Drama, Imaginative Fiction Before Cervantes, The Language of Desire in Early Pose and Poetry. Prereq: Completion of 330 and 331 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years.

SPA 430 U.S. Latino/a Literature

An in-depth study of Latino/a literature produced in the United States. Texts will be closely examined from a cultural and historical perspective as well as within the history of narrative forms in order to facilitate an appreciation and awareness of the cultural roots and current lifestyle of Latinos/as in the United States. Prerequisite: 330 and 332 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter in even-numbered years.

SPA 440 Cervantes

Survey of Cervantes' masterwork, Don Quixote de la Mancha.Prerequisite: 330 and 331 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester in even-numbered years.

SPA 450 Modern Spanish Novel

Study of the novel in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Spain. Special emphasis on the realists and the generation of 1898. Prerequisite: 330 and 331 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.

SPA 460 Women Authors

An in-depth study of Spanish and Spanish American women authors whose literature, across the centuries, has dealt with a particular historical, cultural, social, and philosophical experience. Prerequisite: Completion of 330, plus 331 or 332 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered fall semester in even-numbered years


SPA 470 Spanish Laboratory Theatre

Consists of rehearsal and public performance of a full-length play or a group of one-act plays. Plays selected from contemporary peninsular and Spanish-American authors. Prerequisite: Completion of 330, plus 331 or 332 with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Three credits. Offered winter semester in odd-numbered years.

SPA 480 Special Topics in Spanish

Course content varies. Expectations of students approximate those in other 400-level courses. May be repeated for credit when content varies. Variable credit. Offered on sufficient demand.

SPA 495 Cross-National Literary Movements (Capstone)

Interdisciplinary exploration of a major literary period or genre such as Romanticism, Rationalism, or Symbolism from a cross-national perspective. Prerequisite: Completion of three credits at 400 level (literature)with a C (not C-) or better and senior standing with a major in Spanish. Required of all Spanish majors. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

SPA 499 Independent Study and Research
One to four credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

 
  Last Modified Date: June 5, 2009
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