Students stand outside a building during a field trip.
Students participate in a board game during a tutoring session.

Overview

The Spanish Language and Culture Program empowers you to connect with Spanish-speaking communities both locally and globally. In an increasingly interconnected world, where demand for Spanish-English bilinguals continues to rise, the program fosters multicultural understanding, international communication, and professional development.

Promoting Cooperation in the Classroom

Students take part in a card game during tutoring hours.
I always try to create a stimulating and cooperative environment in which the students feel comfortable to practice Spanish from day one.
Pablo Camus, PhD
Assistant Professor of Spanish Language and Culture

Course Offerings

These courses are taught in Spanish.

Introduction to the basic structure and function of the modern Spanish language, covering the basic sound system, grammatical constructions, writing system, and basic vocabulary and expressions. Important cultural aspects of the language are discussed as well. 

Prerequisite: SPA 101 or instructor consent.

Continuing development of the fundamental aspects of the modern Spanish language as in SPA 101, with additional vocabulary/expressions and analysis of grammatical constructions.

Prerequisite: SPA 102 or instructor consent.

Aims at further developing students’ Spanish language proficiency in the six aspects of listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and cultural understanding.

Prerequisite: SPA 201 or instructor consent.

Continuation of SPA 201 while further enhancing students’ proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and cultural understanding. Necessary linguistic, cultural, and sociolinguistic orientation for study abroad studies is included.

Prerequisite: SPA 202 and pre-study abroad status, or instructor consent.

This course is designed to prepare students for their study abroad semester with an emphasis on oral proficiency. Spanish will be used as a vehicle to promote the awareness of key concepts related to interculturality (e.g., essentialism, stereotyping, otherising). In each class students will be exposed to different types of intercultural encounters (i.e. students’ own experiences, videos, narratives, readings, role playing) and they will be encouraged to critically reflect how these encounters will shape their upcoming study abroad experience.

Prerequisite: Any 300-level Spanish courses, completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

This course examines the social and linguistic dynamics of Spanish-speaking communities in the United States, many of which are in contact with other languages (including English), and cultures. The course will also illuminate various issues related to this reality and thus expand linguistic skills in Spanish as well as the study of culture. Students will continue developing their oral Spanish language abilities through critical discussions, debates and oral presentations. Special emphasis will be placed on the cultural legacy, history, and identity of Latino communities both in the past and present.

Prerequisite: Any 300-level Spanish courses, instructor consent, or completion of a study abroad program in Spanish.

This course reinforces Spanish through reading and writing, providing a more solid foundation. Students refine grammar, expand vocabulary, and strengthen their ability to write with clarity, complexity, precision, and cultural awareness across a variety of contexts. Reading authentic materials will allow for a better understanding of the socio-cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries.

Prerequisite: Any 300-level Spanish courses, completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

This course equips students with the linguistic and cultural skills needed to engage effectively in Spanish across diverse international contexts. Students will explore how the language functions as a bridge between communities in Latin America, Spain, and beyond. Through authentic materials, interactive projects, and real-world communication scenarios, learners will develop proficiency in formal and informal registers, gain awareness of regional and sociolinguistic variation, and practice adapting their language use for professional, academic, and intercultural exchanges.

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Designed to acquaint students with general trends of Spanish civilization and culture. Includes historical, economic, political, ideological, and artistic developments of Spain from prehistoric times to the present. Significant aspects of each period are discussed while shedding light on Spain’s everyday life culture and its values, aesthetics, political and economic circumstances.

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Designed to examine the historical and cultural development of Latin American countries. Includes historical, economic, political, ideological, and artistic developments of Latin America from prehistoric times to the present. Significant aspects of each period are discussed while shedding light on Latin America’s everyday life culture and its values, aesthetics, and political and economic circumstances.

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Survey of the major Spanish Peninsular literary works, studied in literary terms and in their relation to cultural trends. Literary analysis, discussion, and reading of some of the most relevant writings will be organized by genres (prose, poetry, theater).

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Survey of the main literary masterpieces of Spanish American literature and analysis of the work of its most representative authors. Literary analysis, discussion, and reading of some of the most relevant writings will be organized by genres (prose, poetry, theater).

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Designed to explore differences/similarities between literary works and films from Latin America and Spain. This course will explore and contrast the treatment of societal and cultural topics on both sides of the Atlantic.

Prerequisite: Completion of a study abroad program in Spanish, or instructor consent.

Survey of contemporary issues portrayed in Latin American and/or Latino literary production and popular culture. This course will include regional topics and/or written and audio-visual materials on popular culture and mass media.

Spanish Language and Culture Faculty