Spanish (SPAN)

SPAN 101. Elementary Spanish I. 4 Units.

This course is for students who wish to establish a solid foundation in the language. Open to students who have little or no prior knowledge of Spanish. The course will introduce the learner to all regular, stem-changing and irregular verbs. In addition, the comparison of ser v estar, saber v conocer, tener with noun expressions, emotional and mental states and prepositions of location. Students will learn the mechanics of pronoun usage; reflexive, direct object, indirect object and double object pronouns. Lexical expressions, useful vocabulary, nouns, adverbs and adjectives will be acquired via themed chapters. Cultural topics are also explored, providing a glimpse into the daily life of Spanish-speaking countries. This course concludes with learning the past tense forms: preterit and imperfect. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to master basic conversation, listening, reading comprehension and writing skills related to everyday life, including appreciation and awareness of Hispanic multiculturalism.

SPAN 101H. Spanish for Health Care. 4 Units.

This course is an introductory language course teaching the basic covered in SPAN 101 with a particular emphasis on health care topics and vocabulary. Students will gain familiarity with basic vocabulary and basic grammatical structures for communication with and assessment of Spanish speaking patients in a variety of settings. No previous experience with the Spanish language is required. After successfully completing this course students will be eligible to continue to SPAN 102.

SPAN 102. Elementary Spanish II. 4 Units.

This is a course for students who have a solid foundation in the language and who wish to advance their grammar. This is a course open to students who have mastered the topics outlined in SPAN 101, or for students who successfully completed 101 at CWRU. This course is a continuation of 101, and begins with an in-depth comparison of preterit and imperfect during the first few weeks. SPAN 102 will go on to cover all other indicative verb forms such as the imperative, future, present perfect, conditional and pluperfect. The subjunctive mood is also explored in depth; both present and imperfect subjunctive. A variety of cultural topics will help the student develop a stronger appreciation of Hispanic society and multiculturalism. Lexical expressions and useful vocabulary will be acquired via themed chapters. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to read, write, listen and speak Spanish with reasonable accuracy on a wider variety of everyday topics within the indicative and subjunctive moods. Prereq: SPAN 101 or SPAN 101H.

SPAN 201. Intermediate Spanish I. 4 Units.

This course is an intermediate language course with a focus on advanced grammar and conversation. The student must be equipped with a fair amount of grammatical proficiency that includes knowing the simple verb tenses of the present, future, and past tenses of the indicative mood, along with the present and imperfect subjunctive. This course will introduce the learner to more advanced applications of these grammar topics. Along with other grammatical explorations, this course will help the student to critically think about real world topics such as familial, generational, and personal relationships, customs, traditions, and values, food and eating habits, leaders and politics, and contemporary society and technology. Students will develop better articulation of their opinions, perspectives and commentary in Spanish; both verbally and written. Students will acquire some knowledge and appreciation of Spanish-speaking authors and literature. This course will also explore the cultural traditions, customs and diversity shared by the people of countries in which Spanish is spoken. Students will also work on building confidence to deliver oral presentations in Spanish regarding different cultural topics. The course is taught completely in Spanish. Prereq: SPAN 102.

SPAN 202. Intermediate Spanish II. 4 Units.

This course is an intermediate language course with a focus on advanced grammar and conversation. The student must be equipped with a fair amount of grammatical proficiency that includes knowing the differences between preterit and imperfect, the indicative and subjunctive moods (both present and imperfect), conditional and future tenses and the imperative and present perfect. This course will introduce the learner to more advanced compound verb constructions such as the present perfect (both in the indicative and subjunctive) and the pluperfect, the future perfect, conditional perfect and pluperfect subjunctive. Students will learn how to accurately construct 'si clauses', the passive voice and 'se' constructions, as well as know the difference between resultant and passive states. Along with other advanced grammar topics, this course will help the student to critically think about real world topics such as film and entertainment, work and finances, urban and rural life, music, musical instruments and literature. Students will develop better articulation of their opinions, perspectives and commentary in Spanish; both verbally and written. The course will also explore the cultural traditions, customs and diversity shared by the people of countries in which Spanish is spoken. Students will acquire some knowledge and appreciation of Spanish-speaking authors and literature, while learning the differences between narrative, biographical, argumentative and descriptive texts. This course will also help students to build confidence to deliver oral presentations in Spanish regarding different cultural topics. The course is taught completely in Spanish. Prereq: SPAN 201.

SPAN 301. Multicultural Spain: Christian, Jewish and Muslim Coexistence. 3 Units.

Why is Medieval Iberia so often depicted as an example of tolerant multiculturalism? What constituted tolerance in the Middle Ages? In what sense can we speak of medieval multiculturalism? Is Americo Castro's optimistic model of convivencia (coexistence) valid, or is Brian Catlos' idea of conveniencia (convenience) more accurate? In this course we will study cultural theory, medieval and modern historiography, and literature from medieval Castile to the present to approach an understanding of Medieval Iberian 'multiculturalism.' This class will allow students to get in contact with the history of Spain through the study of the presence and influence of the Roman Empire, the Jewish and Muslim cultures and religions in the Peninsula. Through literature, cinema and art students will learn how the Spanish civilization and culture developed through the years. The class will be offered during a regular semester, with a study abroad component at the end of it. Students will receive a handout about how to prepare for the class abroad. Offered as ARAB 303 and RLGN 303 and SPAN 301. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 305. Spanish for Political Science and International Relations. 3 Units.

Spanish 305 is an upper-level Spanish language course designed to give students interested in political science and international relations specific field-related vocabulary and cultural information not found in basic textbooks. The course is divided into two parts: the first deals with political science; the second with international relations. Readings, discussions, and lectures are conducted in Spanish. Prereq: SPAN 202 or requisites not met permission.

SPAN 306. The Cuban Experience: an immersion in its culture and society. 3 Units.

This is a three-week study-abroad intensive course that takes place in Matanzas and Havana, Cuba. The course combines the unique advantages of a total immersion environment in the Cuban culture with a classroom curriculum that includes the study of relevant cultural, literary and historical issues. Students complete three hours of classroom instruction and an hour and a half of workshop four days per week. Also, they participate in organized visits to historic sites and museums connected to the culture curriculum. The focus of the culture curriculum is the study of Cuban history and culture through its literature, visual arts, films, and music. After applying and being accepted into the program, students meet for personal advising with the program director and attend four different one-hour orientation-information meetings in the spring semester. After successful completion of the study-abroad program, students receive three upper-level credits in Spanish or Ethnic Studies. The course is interdisciplinary in its approach and provides students with the tools they need to analyze and understand the complexities of modern Cuba. Students will have formal classes taught by their professor and talks, and meetings with specialists on Cuban literature, art, architecture, history and other aspects of culture and society. Also, they will attend lectures, participate in discussions, and take field trips that will expose them to many aspects of Cuban culture, such as art, architecture, music, dance, film, literature, artisan work, folklore, history and urban growth. Offered as SPAN 306, SPAN 406, and ETHS 306. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 308. Advanced Spanish in Spain. 3 Units.

Three week study-abroad intensive course that takes place in Valladolid, Spain. The course combines the unique advantages of a total immersion environment in Spanish with a classroom curriculum that includes grammar review, conversation practice, and study of relevant cultural issues. The focus of the culture curriculum is the study of Spain's key historical moments through the city of Valladolid and nearby communities: their literature, visual arts, films, and music. The cultural component is enhanced by visits to historic and cultural sites and museums. Four different one-hour orientation meetings during Spring semester. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 310. Advanced Composition and Reading. 3 Units.

Designed to facilitate the transition between lower and upper division courses in Spanish, and focus upon the simultaneous development of the reading and writing skills expected of students in all advanced Spanish courses. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 311. Advanced Spanish Conversation. 3 Units.

Engages students in conversation so that they develop oral proficiency. Short essays and newspaper articles dealing with everyday activities, socio-cultural roles and experiences, and self-awareness and life goals discussed; some literary materials discussed. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 312. Business Spanish. 3 Units.

Spanish for business is an upper-level language and culture course which is designed for students at the advance intermediate level. The course stresses the vocabulary and expressions used to describe economic and commercial structure, the language to solve problems and conduct negotiations, and the culture of specific aspects of the Spanish world of the business. Students will continue being exposed to listening, speaking, reading and writing through a variety of activities. Prereq: SPAN 202 or permission.

SPAN 313. Spanish for Health Professionals. 3 Units.

Designed for students who are majoring in, or considering a major in, a health-related field. Focus on the vocabulary and expressions needed for the workplace, task-based practical skills, and grammatical structures. Prereq: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

SPAN 314. Practice of Translation. 3 Units.

Students learn necessary skills and techniques for solving linguistic problems in translation. Texts with a variety of contents, including articles from current press, will be translated from English into Spanish and occasionally from Spanish into English. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 315. Latin American Cultural Conflicts. 3 Units.

Evolution of Latin American socioeconomic characteristics and artistic production up to the present. Class discussions of diverse literary works, social research essays, and testimonials focus on conflicting elements in class structures, ethnicity, and urban modernization as well as family ethos, religious trends, cultural identity, and educational problems. Offered as SPAN 315 and SPAN 415. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 317. Contemporary Latin American Culture. 3 Units.

An intensive study of Latin American culture and civilization through the examination of its arts: literature, music, film, painting, photography, popular art. Designed to bring together the various strands of Latin American realities, emphasis is placed on the predominant view among Latin American intellectuals that artists and intellectuals have the power and the obligation to modify society. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 318. Contemporary Spanish Culture. 3 Units.

Study of several key historical moments and several key aspects in contemporary Spain: Spanish civil war, Franco's dictatorship, and democratic Spain; rural-urban differences, industrialization and migratory movements; nationalism and terrorism; foreign immigration and tourism, the cultural renaissance and the cultural wars in Madrid and Barcelona. Feature films and literary texts will illustrate the issues under study. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 320. Introduction to Readings in Hispanic Literature. 3 Units.

Introduction to major literary movements and genres, and the works of outstanding authors of Spanish and Latin American literature through close readings and seminar-based discussions of the texts, as well as to disciplinary modes of inquiry and presentation. Requirements include active participation in seminar discussions, oral presentations, tests, and several written assignments, such as response papers, in-class writing exercises, and an analytic essay in Spanish on a research topic of interest to the discipline. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a SAGES Departmental Seminar course. Prereq: SPAN 202.

SPAN 322. Latin American Short Story. 3 Units.

The history and development of the Latin American short story from the nineteenth century to the present. Intertextuality, rise of the Nuevo Cuento, and major characteristics of the works. Offered as SPAN 322 and SPAN 422. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 326. The Fantastic in Latin American Prose. 3 Units.

Introduction to a distinctive trend in contemporary Latin American literature, the prose portrayal of the "fantastic," a new narrative mode in Latin America. Critical examination of selected texts reveals new concepts of space and time and an increasing complexity of structure and style, one which juxtaposes and analyzes fantasy and reality. Offered as SPAN 326 and SPAN 426. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 331. Spanish Golden Age Literature. 3 Units.

Through close reading and discussion of representative texts, we will study different examples of Spanish and Latin American writing from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. We will stress connections between Spain and Latin America, as well as cultural and literary topics of special relevance for contemporary Hispanic cultures. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 333. Contemporary Caribbean Literature. 3 Units.

In addition to developing a general familiarity with the literature and history of this region, students will acquire an awareness of the interrelation of national identity, memory, and language in the texts produced by contemporary Caribbean authors, and of the cultural hybridity characteristic of this production. The themes treated by these authors include colonialism and postcolonialism, cultural and religious syncretism, and sexual politics. Offered as SPAN 333, SPAN 433, and ETHS 333. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 334. Mexican Literature. 3 Units.

The course studies, through a series of representative literary works, the most significant literary movements and styles in 20th and 21st Centuries Mexican Literature. Special attention will be paid to the political, aesthetic, and philosophical debates that have shaped the development of Mexican literature from the 1920s to the present, and to the different narrative techniques and ideologies that have characterized different historical periods, literary movements, and individual authors' styles in contemporary Mexican literature. Offered as SPAN 334 and SPAN 434. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 340. Contemporary Latin-American Narrative. 3 Units.

Students explore the most significant narrative techniques since 1945 in Latin American fiction: Borges, Cortazar, Garcia Marquez, Vargas Llosa, Isabel Allende. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 342. Latin American Feminist Voices. 3 Units.

Examination of the awakening of feminine and feminist consciousness in the literary production of Latin American women writers, particularly from the 1920s to the present. Close attention paid to the dominant themes of love and dependency; imagination as evasion; alienation and rebellion; sexuality and power; the search for identity and the self-preservation of subjectivity. Readings include prose, poetry, and dramatic texts of female Latin American writers contributing to the emerging of feminist ideologies and the mapping of feminist identities. Offered as SPAN 342, SPAN 442, ETHS 342, and WGST 342. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 343. The New Drama in Latin American. 3 Units.

Representative works of contemporary Latin American drama. Critical examination of selected dramatic works of twentieth-century Latin America provides students insight into the nature of drama and into the structural and stylistic strategies utilized by Latin American dramatists to create the "new theater," one which is closely related to Latin American political history. Offered as SPAN 343, SPAN 443 and ETHS 343. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 345. Hispanic Autobiographical Writing. 3 Units.

The course studies issues of self-representation through the reading of autobiographical works from different periods from Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., and of theoretical works that address topics of first-person narratives, autobiography, and sub-alternity. Satisfies Global and Cultural Diversity requirement. Offered as SPAN 345 and SPAN 445. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 351. Hispanic Turn of the Century Literature. 3 Units.

Cultural and political transitions between 19th and 20th Centuries, between Spain and Latin America, and between literary models. Study of Spanish and Latin American writers and their literary connections (Generation of 1898, modernistas) in the context of colonial conflicts and economic changes. Offered as SPAN 351 and SPAN 451. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 356. Afro-Hispanic Literature. 3 Units.

This course will survey the literary and cultural production of writers and artists of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean, paying attention to both their creative and theoretical texts. Discussion of questions of race and ethnicity will allow students to explore the ways in which these texts reformulate the idea of national identity and cultural belonging in the context of the nation-state, whose traditional centrality is being weakened through the effects of migration and exile. Readings include works by writers from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru. Offered as SPAN 356, SPAN 456 and ETHS 356. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 358. Latin American Cinema. 3 Units.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic tools of film analysis as well as to the major trends and movements in Latin American cinema from the 1960s to the present. Through the analysis of representative films from Latin America, the course will examine the development of a variety of cinematic styles, paying particular attention to the historical contexts in which the films were produced and to the political, cultural, and aesthetic debates that surrounded their production. Offered as SPAN 358, SPAN 458 and ETHS 358. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320 or equivalent.

SPAN 370. Special Topics in Spanish. 3 Units.

This course is designed to respond to students' and faculty interest in specific themes or issues not otherwise covered in the curriculum. Approaches, content, and instructor will vary and this course may have a focus that crosses generic, artistic, historical, disciplinary, and geographical boundaries. The honing of analytical and interpretative skills as well as the further development of Spanish language skills also are integral objectives of this course. The class is conducted in Spanish. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320 or equivalent.

SPAN 396. Senior Capstone - Spanish. 3 Units.

The Senior Capstone in Spanish in an independent study project chosen in consultation with a capstone advisor. The capstone project should reflect both the student's interest within Spanish and the courses he or she has taken to fulfill the major. The project requires independent research using an approved bibliography and plan of action. In addition to written research, the student will also present the capstone project in a public forum that is agreed upon by the project advisor and the student. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Counts as a SAGES Senior Capstone course. Senior status required. Major in Spanish required.

SPAN 397. Honors Thesis I. 3 Units.

Intensive study of a literary, linguistic, or cultural topic with a faculty member, leading to the writing of a research paper in Spanish. Limited to senior majors. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 398. Honors Thesis II. 3 Units.

Continuation of SPAN 397. Limited to senior majors. Permit required. Prereq: SPAN 397.

SPAN 399. Independent Study. 1 - 3 Units.

The course is for students with special interests and commitments that are not fully addressed in regular courses, and who wish to work independently.

SPAN 406. The Cuban Experience: an immersion in its culture and society. 3 Units.

This is a three-week study-abroad intensive course that takes place in Matanzas and Havana, Cuba. The course combines the unique advantages of a total immersion environment in the Cuban culture with a classroom curriculum that includes the study of relevant cultural, literary and historical issues. Students complete three hours of classroom instruction and an hour and a half of workshop four days per week. Also, they participate in organized visits to historic sites and museums connected to the culture curriculum. The focus of the culture curriculum is the study of Cuban history and culture through its literature, visual arts, films, and music. After applying and being accepted into the program, students meet for personal advising with the program director and attend four different one-hour orientation-information meetings in the spring semester. After successful completion of the study-abroad program, students receive three upper-level credits in Spanish or Ethnic Studies. The course is interdisciplinary in its approach and provides students with the tools they need to analyze and understand the complexities of modern Cuba. Students will have formal classes taught by their professor and talks, and meetings with specialists on Cuban literature, art, architecture, history and other aspects of culture and society. Also, they will attend lectures, participate in discussions, and take field trips that will expose them to many aspects of Cuban culture, such as art, architecture, music, dance, film, literature, artisan work, folklore, history and urban growth. Offered as SPAN 306, SPAN 406, and ETHS 306. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 415. Latin American Cultural Conflicts. 3 Units.

Evolution of Latin American socioeconomic characteristics and artistic production up to the present. Class discussions of diverse literary works, social research essays, and testimonials focus on conflicting elements in class structures, ethnicity, and urban modernization as well as family ethos, religious trends, cultural identity, and educational problems. Offered as SPAN 315 and SPAN 415. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 422. Latin American Short Story. 3 Units.

The history and development of the Latin American short story from the nineteenth century to the present. Intertextuality, rise of the Nuevo Cuento, and major characteristics of the works. Offered as SPAN 322 and SPAN 422. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 426. The Fantastic in Latin American Prose. 3 Units.

Introduction to a distinctive trend in contemporary Latin American literature, the prose portrayal of the "fantastic," a new narrative mode in Latin America. Critical examination of selected texts reveals new concepts of space and time and an increasing complexity of structure and style, one which juxtaposes and analyzes fantasy and reality. Offered as SPAN 326 and SPAN 426. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 433. Contemporary Caribbean Literature. 3 Units.

In addition to developing a general familiarity with the literature and history of this region, students will acquire an awareness of the interrelation of national identity, memory, and language in the texts produced by contemporary Caribbean authors, and of the cultural hybridity characteristic of this production. The themes treated by these authors include colonialism and postcolonialism, cultural and religious syncretism, and sexual politics. Offered as SPAN 333, SPAN 433, and ETHS 333. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 434. Mexican Literature. 3 Units.

The course studies, through a series of representative literary works, the most significant literary movements and styles in 20th and 21st Centuries Mexican Literature. Special attention will be paid to the political, aesthetic, and philosophical debates that have shaped the development of Mexican literature from the 1920s to the present, and to the different narrative techniques and ideologies that have characterized different historical periods, literary movements, and individual authors' styles in contemporary Mexican literature. Offered as SPAN 334 and SPAN 434. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course. Prereq: SPAN 320

SPAN 442. Latin American Feminist Voices. 3 Units.

Examination of the awakening of feminine and feminist consciousness in the literary production of Latin American women writers, particularly from the 1920s to the present. Close attention paid to the dominant themes of love and dependency; imagination as evasion; alienation and rebellion; sexuality and power; the search for identity and the self-preservation of subjectivity. Readings include prose, poetry, and dramatic texts of female Latin American writers contributing to the emerging of feminist ideologies and the mapping of feminist identities. Offered as SPAN 342, SPAN 442, ETHS 342, and WGST 342. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 443. The New Drama in Latin American. 3 Units.

Representative works of contemporary Latin American drama. Critical examination of selected dramatic works of twentieth-century Latin America provides students insight into the nature of drama and into the structural and stylistic strategies utilized by Latin American dramatists to create the "new theater," one which is closely related to Latin American political history. Offered as SPAN 343, SPAN 443 and ETHS 343. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 445. Hispanic Autobiographical Writing. 3 Units.

The course studies issues of self-representation through the reading of autobiographical works from different periods from Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., and of theoretical works that address topics of first-person narratives, autobiography, and sub-alternity. Satisfies Global and Cultural Diversity requirement. Offered as SPAN 345 and SPAN 445. Prereq: SPAN 320.

SPAN 451. Hispanic Turn of the Century Literature. 3 Units.

Cultural and political transitions between 19th and 20th Centuries, between Spain and Latin America, and between literary models. Study of Spanish and Latin American writers and their literary connections (Generation of 1898, modernistas) in the context of colonial conflicts and economic changes. Offered as SPAN 351 and SPAN 451. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 456. Afro-Hispanic Literature. 3 Units.

This course will survey the literary and cultural production of writers and artists of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean, paying attention to both their creative and theoretical texts. Discussion of questions of race and ethnicity will allow students to explore the ways in which these texts reformulate the idea of national identity and cultural belonging in the context of the nation-state, whose traditional centrality is being weakened through the effects of migration and exile. Readings include works by writers from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru. Offered as SPAN 356, SPAN 456 and ETHS 356. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 458. Latin American Cinema. 3 Units.

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic tools of film analysis as well as to the major trends and movements in Latin American cinema from the 1960s to the present. Through the analysis of representative films from Latin America, the course will examine the development of a variety of cinematic styles, paying particular attention to the historical contexts in which the films were produced and to the political, cultural, and aesthetic debates that surrounded their production. Offered as SPAN 358, SPAN 458 and ETHS 358. Counts as a CAS Global & Cultural Diversity course.

SPAN 499. Graduate Independent Study. 3 Units.

This class will fulfill the requirement of graduate students who need to complete their course-loud focusing on specific topics related to their fields of study.