CATALOG OF COURSES
Id Number |
Course Name |
Description |
SPN 101 |
INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH GRAMMAR I | No prerequisite. This course is designed especially for students at the beginning level of Spanish. It serves as an introduction to Spanish grammar and pronunciation. The course is offered in Spanish. Exceptions are only made when it is necessary to explain difficult concepts that the student cannot yet understand in the foreign language. The students should speak with the Resident Director prior to the course regarding the number of credits they will receive for the course. |
SPN 102 |
INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH GRAMMAR II | No prerequisite. The course reviews Spanish grammar and some verbs in different moods including the indicative, the subjunctive and the imperative. The class is conducted in Spanish. Exceptions are only made when it is necessary to explain difficult concepts that the student cannot yet understand in the foreign language. The students should speak with the Resident Director prior to the course regarding the number of credits they will receive for the course. |
SPN 111 |
BEGINNING SPANISH I | Prerequisite: SPN 111; two years of high school or a semester of college or equivalent. This course is the continuation of SPN 111. It is designed to improve the development of different aspects of the language: listening, speaking, writing and reading. The course content includes the following: regular and irregular verbs; the imperfect, future, conditional, imperative and subjunctive; pertinent vocabulary; complex sentence structures and various readings. The course is given in Spanish. Exceptions are only made when it is necessary to explain difficult concepts that the student cannot yet understand in the foreign language. 4 credits. |
SPN 112 |
BEGINNING SPANISH II | Prerequisite: SPN 111; two years of high school or a semester of college or equivalent. This course is the continuation of SPN 111. It is designed to improve the development of different aspects of the language: listening, speaking, writing and reading. The course content includes the following: regular and irregular verbs; the imperfect, future, conditional, imperative and subjunctive; pertinent vocabulary; complex sentence structures and various readings. The course is given in Spanish. Exceptions are only made when it is necessary to explain difficult concepts that the student cannot yet understand in the foreign language. 4 credits. |
SPN 211 |
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH | Prerequisite: SPN 112; three years of high school or two semesters of college or equivalent. This course is designed to improve the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The main objective of the course is to provide the student with enough pertinent vocabulary and grammatical structures so that he/she can converse and practice everything learned in previous courses. The content is as follows: regular and irregular verbs in all tenses, advanced vocabulary, structuring of sentences, and readings permitting an understanding of cultural themes. The course is offered in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 212 |
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II | Prerequisite: SPN 211; four years of high school or three semesters of college or equivalent. This course is designed to increase the student's abilities in oral comprehension, reading and writing in Spanish, so that the students can communicate and practice linguistic models which they have already learned. Students make a figurative and symbolic analysis of language using readings and short stories and idiomatic expressions. The class is conducted in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 222 |
COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGIES IN SPANISH | Prerequisite: SPN211; four years of High School or three semesters of college or equivalent. This course is designed to further develop the student's skills in oral and written communication, as well as improve communication through description, narration, and the formulation of argument, hypothesis, suggestion and opinion. 4 credits. |
SPN 294 |
HISTORY OF MEXICO | Prerequisite: SPN 211; two years of high school or a semester of college or equivalent. This course provides a chronological study of Mexican history, politics, and economy along with the social and cultural development of Mexico. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 301 |
ADVANCED GRAMMAR | Prerequisite: SPN 211; four years of high school Spanish or three semesters of college or equivalent. This course is designed to help students assimilate certain subtle notions of the subjunctive mood in contrast to the indicative, relative pronouns, and prepositions. The course is offered in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 305 |
INTRODUCTION TO READINGS IN SPANISH | Prerequisite: SPN 212; four years of high school Spanish, and/or three semesters of college or equivalent. This course is designed to help the student improve reading and comprehension skills using readings in Spanish and Latin American texts. The course is offered in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 306 |
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN212 or equivalent. This course is designed to provide a general knowledge of Latin American literature. Student learns to be able to distinguish between different literary genres and to analyze techniques of narrative, drama, and poetry. 3 credits. |
SPN 308 |
MEXICO TODAY | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is an introduction to contemporary Mexico its society; its institutions, history, geography, political and economic system. Discussions focus on art, literature and music in Mexico. Videos and visual aids are a complementary aspect of the course. The course is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 309 |
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is designed to develop an understanding of the Latin American countries in their political, economic, social and religious aspects including education, women’s roles, social services and indigenous groups. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 311 |
SPANISH CIVILIZATION | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is a study of political, social, economic, religious, literary and artistic history from pre-Roman days to the present. It is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive knowledge of the Hispanic world. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 312 |
SPANISH AMERICAN CIVILIZATION | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course presents the historical, political, social, economic, religious and cultural aspects of Latin America from discovery and the conquest until present time. It especially emphasizes independent Latin America and its reality. The course is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 320 |
SPANISH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS I | No prerequisite. The course is designed for those students whose mother tongue is Spanish, but who have lived and have been educated in the United States. The course aims to develop certain general aspects of writing (orthography), reading (pronunciation and intonation) and grammar. Its goal also includes to increase Spanish vocabulary. 4 credits |
SPN 322 |
SPANISH CONVERSATION I | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course improves Spanish speaking skills through intensive vocabulary building. The practices enhance students’ conversational skills. The class is conducted in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 323 |
SPANISH COMPOSITION I | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course improves written communication in Spanish. The course focuses on further development of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions necessary for specific written themes. The class is conducted in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 324 |
SPANISH STYLISTICS I | Prerequisite: SPN322 or equivalent. This course perfects Spanish grammar, through writing and conversation. Written and oral exercises focus on the organization of ideas, clarity of expression, and the development of logical conclusions. 4 credits. |
SPN 346 |
ANALYSIS OF MEXICAN CULTURE | Prerequisite SPN 322. This course develops the ability to interpret the historic symbols of the Mexican people. The course is comprised of the following topics: differences between the concepts of pre-Hispanic time and the Gregorian calendar; value and use of time and its ritualization; interpretation and significance of space as a mold for cultural behavior; cultural transformation due to the influence of western culture; the changing sociocultural panorama, its symbols and manifestations in social life; and the manifestation of México's past in its present time. 3 credits. |
SPN 371 |
SPANISH FOR BUSINESS | Prerequisite: SPN 322; SPN 323 or equivalent. This course is designed for those students interested in the area of business. It concentrates on the following aspects: business vocabulary, writing formal letters, preparation of oral presentations concerning the economic and commercial affairs in various Latin American countries. The course is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 405 |
SPANISH AMERICAN LITERATURE I | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. The course focuses on the study of Latin American literature from 1492 to 1800. Readings in poetry, prose and drama from the Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Romantic periods are also included. The class is in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 406 |
SPANISH AMERICAN LITERATURE II | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. The course is a continuation of SPN/LIT 405 course and focuses on Latin American literature from 1880 to the present. The readings are a selected compendium of poetry, prose and drama from the modernists, realists, naturalists and contemporary writers. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 407 |
LATIN AMERICAN SHORT STORY | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. This course is a comprehensive analysis of selected stories by contemporary authors of recognized significance in their national and international context. The course is designed to improve vocabulary, reading and increase knowledge of regional colloquialisms and idioms. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 408 |
MEXICAN LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. This course offers an understanding of Mexican literature in its historical, political and social context since its beginning to the present. Students analyze the literary movements in Mexico through the reading of selected works. 3 credits. |
SPN 409 |
CHICANO LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. This course analyzes the historical, political and social elements influencing the Chicano movement and its expression in literature. During the course, students analyze short stories, essays, poems, novels and plays within the Chicano movement. 3 credits. |
SPN 420 |
SPANISH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS II | Prerequisite: SPN 320 or equivalent. This course is designed for those students whose mother tongue is Spanish but who have lived and been educated in the United States and have studied Spanish grammar. The course focuses on increasing vocabulary and idiomatic expressions in Spanish. It also reviews general aspects of culture in Latin America. 3 credits. |
SPN 421 |
SPANISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course describes and analyzes the sound system of modern Spanish based on structural phonetic theory. The focus of the course is on intensive drilling on the various sounds and sound-variants of the Spanish language to correct problems of linguistic interference. The class is taught in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 422 |
SPANISH CONVERSATION II | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course improves and enhances Spanish speaking skills. The course focuses on informal and technical vocabulary for discussions of specific themes. The class is conducted in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 423 |
SPANISH COMPOSITION II | Prerequisite: SPN 422, SPN 323 or equivalent. This course focuses on formal Spanish composition. The following topics are covered: style, narration and description. The class is conducted in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 424 |
SPANISH STYLISTICS II | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course focuses on the analysis and practice of the different modes of formal research. The student will apply the theoretical and practical foundations necessary for the planning, writing and presentation of oral and written speeches in Spanish. 4 credits. |
SPN 434 |
ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course is a general introduction to the principal behaviors of the Mexican "being". It is a consideration of the national identity and a portrait of Mexicans, their personality, values and beliefs. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SPN 581 |
EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS IN MEXICO | Prerequisite: advanced level of Spanish or SPN 322. This course presents the development of themes related to education in Mexico from the pre-Colombian period to the present with emphasis on Mayan and Mexican cultures, religious education, secular and lay education, and also the development of contemporary urban and rural education, Special emphasis is placed on family participation in education and the parent/ teacher relationship. The class is conducted in Spanish. 1-3 credits . |
Id Number |
Course Name |
Description |
SOC 308 |
MEXICO TODAY | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is an introduction to contemporary Mexico, its society; institutions, history, geography, political and economic system. Discussions focus on art, literature and music in Mexico. Videos and visual aids are a complementary part of the course. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SOC 309 |
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is designed to develop an understanding of Latin American countries in their political, economic, social and religious aspects as well as education, women, social services and indigenous groups. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
SOC 346 |
ANALYSIS OF MEXICAN CULTURE | Prerequisite: SPN 322. This course develops the ability to interpret the historic symbols of the Mexican people. The course is comprised of the following topics: differences between the concepts of pre-Hispanic time and the Gregorian calendar; concepts, value and use of time and its ritualization; interpretation and significance of space as a mold for cultural behavior; cultural transformation due to the influence of western culture; the changing sociocultural panorama, its symbols and manifestations in social life; and manifestations of México's past in its present. 3 credits |
HST 311 |
SPANISH CIVILIZATION | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is a study of political, social, economic, religious, literary and artistic history from pre-Roman days to present times. It is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the Hispanic world. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
HST 312 |
SPANISH AMERICAN CIVILIZATION. | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course presents the historical, political, social, economic, religious and cultural aspects of Latin America since discovery and the conquest until present time. It especially emphasizes Independent Latin America and its reality. The course is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
HST 494 |
HISTORY OF MÉXICO | Prerequisite: SPN 211 or equivalent. This course provides a chronological study of the political and economic history of Mexico, as well as its social and cultural development from the pre-Colombian era to the present. Special emphasis is placed on the cultures of Meso America, the colonial period, the Revolution of 1910 and the post-revolutionary period. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
PLS 345 |
THE MEXICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course provides a historical analysis of the sociopolitical evolution of México from the Meso America theocracies and the priestly power of the Aztecs, to the power structure of New Spain to the strongmen and dictators of contemporary México. It also deals with the Mexican Revolution, and the return of the military as leaders, the consolidation of the official Party (PRI), pluralist ideology, the opposition, and the control and manipulation of mass communication media. 3 credits. |
PSY 434 |
ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. The course is a general introduction to the principal behaviors of the Mexican "being". It gives a profile of the national identity as well as a portrait of the Mexicans, their personality, values and beliefs. The course is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
RLG 401 |
HISTORY OF RELIGION IN MÉXICO | Prerequisite: advanced level of Spanish or SPN 322. This course provides the student with an understanding of Mexican religion with a focus on indigenous, Christian and contemporary Catholic dimensions. The course also addresses repercussions in the political, social, cultural and economic development of México of yesterday and today. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
ART 421 |
INTRODUCTION TO MEXICAN ART | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course is an analysis of Mexican Art, starting from the pre-Colombian friezes, sculpture and architecture, and the pre-Colombian murals, through the Sixteenth Century frescoes and Eighteenth Century Baroque art, to conclude with the great Mexican muralists of the twentieth century. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
EDU 581 |
EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS IN MÉXICO | Advanced level of Spanish or SPN 322. This course presents the development of themes related to education in México from the pre-Colombian period to the present with emphasis on Mayan and Mexican cultures, religious and secular education, and the development of contemporary urban and rural education. Family participation in education is also considered, emphasizing the parent/teacher relationship. The course is conducted in Spanish. 1-3 credits. |
Id Number |
Course Name |
Description |
LIT 306 |
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent. This course is designed to provide a general knowledge of Latin American literature. The student learns so distinguish between literary genres and to analyze techniques of narrative, drama, and poetry. 3 credits. |
LIT 405 |
SPANISH AMERICAN LITERATURE I | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course focuses on the study of Latin American literature from 1492 to 1800, including readings in poetry, prose and drama from the Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassic and Romantic periods. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits |
LIT 406 |
SPANISH AMERICAN LITERATURE II | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. The course is a continuation of SPN/LIT 405 and focuses on Hispano-American literature from 1880 to our times. The readings for the course are a selected compendium of poetry, prose and drama from the modernists, realists, naturalists and contemporary writers. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
LIT 407 |
LATIN AMERICAN SHORT STORY | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. This course is a comprehensive analysis of selected stories from contemporary authors of recognized significance in their national and continental contexts. The course improves vocabulary and reading skills so that the student can master regional colloquialisms and idioms. The class is conducted in Spanish. 3 credits. |
LIT 408 |
MEXICAN LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN 323 or equivalent. This course provides an understanding of Mexican literature in its historical, political and social context since its beginning to the present. Students analyze the literary movements in México through the reading of selected works. 3 credits. |
LIT 409 |
CHICANO LITERATURE | Prerequisite: SPN323 or equivalent. This course analyzes the historic, political and social elements influencing the Chicano movement and its expression in literature. During the course, students will analyze short stories, essays, poems, novels and plays within the Chicano movement. 3 credits. |
LIN 421 |
SPANISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY | Prerequisite: SPN 322 or equivalent. This course describes and analyzes the sound system of modern Spanish based on structural phonetic theory. The focus of the course is on intensive drilling on the various sounds and sound-variants of the Spanish language to correct problems of linguistic interference. The class is taught in Spanish. 4 credits. |
Id Number |
Course Name |
Description |
INT 352 |
INTERNSHIP FOR MEDICAL PERSONNEL | Prerequisite: SPN 212 and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship provides field work experience in a Latin American healthcare setting. It serves as a means to help medical students achieve immediate ability to function in Spanish and to explore cultural similarities and differences affecting communication and Latino groups or individuals. 1-3 credits. |
INT 353 |
INTERNSHIP IN SOCIAL WORK | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship provides a supervised work opportunity within a Mexican private or public social agency in areas pertinent to the student's interests. This experience helps the students to understand cultural variables in Latin-American ethnic groups and how these factors influence social work practice. 1-3 credits. |
INT 354 |
INTERNSHIP IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship serves as a means for business and economics professionals to achieve immediate ability to function in Spanish. It provides supervised experience in a Mexican business environment. It also serves as a means to review and improve conversational skills and to master the technical Spanish vocabulary necessary to function successfully in the field. 1-3 credits. |
INT 355 |
INTERNSHIP IN EDUCATION | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship provides an opportunity for observation and teaching in selected private and public Mexican Schools and colleges under the supervision of a classroom teacher and university supervisor. This experience helps participants to gain a better understanding of culturally diverse students and families. 1-3 credits. Please note: Internships in Education are not available during the months of June, July and August due to the fact that local schools are not in session at that time. |
INT 356 |
INTERNSHIP IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship serves as a means for hotel & restaurant management students to achieve an immediate ability to function in Spanish. It provides supervised experience in a Mexican hotel or restaurant environment. This experience also serves as a means to review and improve conversational skills and to master the technical Spanish vocabulary necessary for the student's career. 1-3 credits. |
INT 357 |
INTERNSHIP IN MEXICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE | Prerequisite: SPN 212 or equivalent and courses at the 300 level related to the student's career goal. This internship enables the student to learn the basic operations of a Mexican criminal justice agency and to understand the history and sociology of Mexican culture, Mexican criminal justice system and Mexican criminal law. 1-3 credits. |
*These courses are only offered during certain times of the year.
