Spanish

"When the heart speaks, however simple the words, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts."

 Mary Baker Eddy

 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 262

Julien Ekiaka Oblazamengo, Assistant Professor

¡Hola y Bienvenidos al programa de español!

Spanish has the standing of a major global language. It is one of the most spoken languages in the world, the most spoken language in the Americas, and the most spoken language in the U.S., after English. The importance of this language is enormous and learning to speak and understand Spanish is an impactful 21st century skill. 

A major in Spanish Language equips students to communicate with native speakers, enables students to understand the cultural, social, and literary backgrounds of the Hispanic peoples, and prepares students for positions in the diplomatic service, international business, non-governmental organizations, and bilingual and second language teaching.

Students can major in Spanish Language or elect a minor in either Spanish Language or Hispanic Studies. 

For the Spanish Language major, students must complete at least twelve courses for a minimum of 31 semester hours. One advisor-approved course taught in English with relevant content supporting cultural, historical, political, or religious knowledge of Spanish-speaking countries may be used to fulfill a course requirement for this major. It is encouraged and highly recommended that students participate in an immersion or abroad experience during their Spanish language study. Credit by Examination requires prior approval from the Languages and Cultures Department Chair and is also available for students participating in well-established Spanish language institutes or schools. Courses at the appropriate level offered abroad by accredited institutions may be substituted for required or elective courses by approval of the Spanish faculty, provided they have been officially transferred in for credit through the Registrar's Office. 

Upon request, the Spanish program faculty may waive the major requirement for SPAN 204 for students placing directly into SPAN 205 or 216, thus reducing the required number of semester hours for the major from a minimum of 31 to a minimum of 28 SH. In cases where a student places out of SPAN 205, the student will take an advisor-approved replacement course for 205 to complete a total of 11 required courses. 

Spanish Language majors are strongly encouraged to participate at least in one immersive Spanish study abroad experience before completing their coursework. This is a golden opportunity for them to live in the culture as well as to practice the language they are learning with host parents. They are also encouraged to include an internship for the purpose of exploring career opportunities or service-learning. Additional content-related courses such as Latin American history, Latin American politics, religious studies, and related socio-cultural courses are also recommended. 

Minors in Spanish Language and Hispanic Studies require six three-semester hour courses. No more than two transfer courses may be counted towards either concentration of the Spanish minor. Only courses taught in Spanish may be applied to a minor in Spanish Language, whereas one course taught in English may be applied to a minor in Hispanic Studies.

¡Los esperamos!

Departmental Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to actively and effectively communicate in the target language in a variety of situations
    1. ​Demonstrate effective communicative skill in speaking in the target language.
    2. Demonstrate effective communicative skill in writing the target language.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend a variety of situations in the target language
    1. Demonstrate skill in listening in the target language.
    2. Demonstrate skill in reading the target language.
  3. Students will demonstrate intercultural competence.

College Wide Student Learning Outcomes of Principia College: Defining a Liberal Arts Education

The curricular and co-curricular programs at Principia College are designed for students to be lifelong learners, thinkers, and problem-solvers. To accomplish this, the College has established the following outcomes for its graduates.

Guided by Principle, Principia College students will demonstrate:

  1. Depth and breadth of knowledge
  2. Critical and creative thinking
  3. Effective communication
  4. Intellectual inquiry and engagement
  5. Active commitment to community and global citizenship

Majors

​* This major will be discontinued at the conclusion of a teach-out plan. Please contact the academic department for more information. 

Minors

Certificate

SPAN 101 Introductory Spanish I 3.0 SH [  ]

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Spanish. Students will learn basic communication skills and cultural practices across the Spanish-speaking world.

SPAN 102 Introductory Spanish II 3.0 SH [GE2L]

This course continues instruction in the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Spanish. Students will learn additional communication skills and cultural practices across the Spanish-speaking world.
Prerequisite: SPAN 101.

SPAN 110 Intensive Elementary Review 3.0 SH [GE2L]

A one-course intensive review of first year Spanish with emphasis on basic grammatical structure, development of ability to speak Spanish, and intercultural competence. Fulfills the general education second language requirement for students needing only one semester of review. (A student may receive credit for only one of the courses SPAN 102, SPAN 110, or SPAN 136.)
Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or placement.

SPAN 136 Lang & Culture Wrkshp Abroad I 3.0-6.0 SH [GE2L]

Immersive elementary language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a Spanish-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad. (A student may receive credit for only one of the courses SPAN 102, SPAN 110, or SPAN 136.)
Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or placement into SPAN 110.

SPAN 204 Intermediate Spanish I 3.0 SH [  ]

Conversation, vocabulary and idiom building, grammar review.
Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or SPAN 110 or SPAN 136 or placement.

SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish II 3.0 SH [  ]

Continuing oral review and practice of the basic structures of Spanish. Develops pronunciation, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing.
Prerequisite: SPAN 204 or placement.

SPAN 206 Read, Listen, & Comprehend 2.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Reading for understanding and listening comprehension are the main activities in this course. Building vocabulary, writing through dictations, and pronunciation practice will also be used to reinforce language skills.
Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or SPAN 110 or placement.

SPAN 211 Practical Spanish 3.0 SH [  ]

After the first-year language requirement, students have the opportunity to further develop their Spanish in a practical way. This includes working on Internet sites for reading skills, the use of film and broadcasts for listening comprehension and cultural learning, and a major project on a subject of personal interest in the context of Hispanic culture.
Prerequisite: SPAN 204 or placement.

SPAN 216 Oral Expression & Conversation 3.0 SH [  ]

Emphasis on a variety of activities developing oral expression, as well as listening comprehension.
Prerequisite: SPAN 205 or placement.

SPAN 220 Contemp. Hispanic Civilization 3.0-5.0 SH [  ]

This course, typically taught on a Principia abroad program to a Spanish-speaking area, requires study and work in Spanish to understand the contemporary civilization of the area, including its historical context. The title will be extended to describe the current area being studied. May be taken more than once provided the area culture studied is different.
Prerequisite: SPAN 205 or placement.

SPAN 225 Intermediate Grammar 3.0 SH [  ]

Exercise in grammar and style. This course reinforces the student’s foundation in written Spanish at the intermediate level, as a preparation for further studies in Spanish or as a refresher course.
Prerequisite: SPAN 204 and 205, or placement.

SPAN 231 Hispanic Culture 3.0 SH [  ]

Backgrounds of Spanish and Spanish-American culture. Special focus on contemporary Spanish-speaking cultures, including Hispanic culture in the United States. Taught in Spanish, with readings in Spanish and English. The title will be extended to describe the current culture studied. May be taken more than once provided the cultures studied differ.
Prerequisite: SPAN 205.

SPAN 236 Lang &Culture Wrkshp Abroad II 3.0-6.0 SH [  ]

Immersive intermediate language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a Spanish-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad.
Prerequisite: SPAN 102, SPAN 110, SPAN 136, or placement.

SPAN 240 Spanish Composition 3.0 SH [  ]

Writing in Spanish is the main activity of this course. Students will be supported in their writing activity with relevant grammatical explanations as evidenced by the needs shown in their writing. Some specific readings in Spanish will be used to generate ideas for creative writing.
Prerequisite: SPAN 205 or placement.

SPAN 270 Intro to Hispanic Literature 3.0 SH [GEH]

A basic introduction to reading in Spanish and to the literature of Spain and Spanish America. Significant works representing Spanish language poetry, drama, short stories, and essays are studied in a broad historical and cultural context.
Prerequisite: SPAN 216 or placement.

SPAN 306 Advanced Oral Expression 3.0 SH [  ]

Advanced expression in Spanish through the use of drama, video, simulated situations. Discussion topics draw from current issues in the Hispanic world and human experience.
Prerequisite: SPAN 216.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SPAN 315 Advanced Grammar & Composition 3.0 SH [  ]

Translation and free composition, based on an intensive study of grammar, verbs, and idioms.
Prerequisite: SPAN 216.

SPAN 316 Advanced Spanish Conversation 3.0 SH [  ]

Advanced language study with a focus on developing conversational skills through reading and discussion on topics about Spanish speaking countries. May be offered on Principia abroads.
Prerequisite: SPAN 240 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SPAN 320 Topics in Hispanic Literature 1.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Allows students to develop their reading skills and to deepen their knowledge of Spanish/Hispanic literature. The content varies, and the title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be repeated one time up to six semester hours provided the topics differ.
Prerequisite: SPAN 270.

SPAN 325 Advanced Span Language Study 3.0 SH [  ]

Continuing work in mastery of the spoken language, with emphasis on everyday vocabulary, colloquial expressions, idioms, and translations.
Prerequisite: SPAN 315.

SPAN 331 Hispanic Culture Sem: Topics 3.0 SH [  ]

Advanced readings and discussions of texts from authentic sources that reflect the uniqueness and diversity of the cultures within historical, political, and social contexts. Allows some in-depth research on topics of special interest to students. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken twice up to a total of six semester hours.
Prerequisite: SPAN 216 and SPAN 240, or placement.

SPAN 335 Spanish Applied Linguistics 1.0-3.0 SH [  ]

Students study the phonetic, phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic rules of Spanish to understand what rules govern the intuitions of a native speaker in selecting how to structure utterances for communication to others and to learn how this knowledge helps us explain and teach ourselves and others.
Prerequisite: SPAN 315.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SPAN 336 Lang&Culture Wrkshp Abroad III 3.0-6.0 SH [  ]

Immersive advanced language and cultural studies at an academic institution or language learning center in a Spanish-speaking country. Offered only for study abroad but may include on-campus study in the case of shorter stays abroad.
Prerequisite: SPAN 240 or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SPAN 355 Spanish Film 3.0 SH [  ]

Combines the viewing and discussion of classic and contemporary Spanish films with the reading of related scripts and literature. In addition to written and oral responses to the films, students present either a brief acting project or a contemporary film from Spain or Latin America. Some background in reading literature in Spanish is needed.
Prerequisite: SPAN 205 and any course above SPAN 205.

SPAN 380 Spanish Literature Seminar 3.0 SH [GEH]

Seminar in a special topic of the literature of Spain or Spanish America. Example: Cervantes' Don Quijote. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. Offered upon sufficient demand.
Prerequisite: SPAN 270.

SPAN 410 Highlights of Hispanic Culture 1.0 SH [  ]

This lecture series sets in context the major achievements of Spanish-speaking peoples in Spain and Latin America from an historical, cultural, and literary perspective.
Prerequisite: One Spanish course at the 300-level or placement.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.

SPAN 470 Capstone 3.0 SH [  ]

Students complete a faculty-approved and self-directed culminating project for the major. The types of projects can be: a research project on the areas of Spanish literature or culture, an internship, a service-learning project, or an experiential project - all relevant to languages and cultures. In all projects, a paper and presentation are required, and Spanish must be the primary language.
Prerequisite: LANG 450.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.