Speaking Spanish is the key to unlocking the cultures, traditions and experiences of 20 different countries throughout the world. From the medieval knights and Don Quixote to the modern novels by prize-winning authors and the world of film, the Spanish faculty of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures guides Spanish students into the unexpected territories of Europe and Latin America, which are as rich geographically as they are culturally. Students who major and minor in Spanish graduate with top-notch communication skills. Our students speak Spanish and they speak culture, both of which are valuable professional skills today. The exponential growth of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States, the constant presence of Latin America at the top of America's political and business agenda, and the continued lure of Spain as a gateway to Europe and parts of Africa make speaking Spanish and the ability to interpret the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries two of the most profitable and enjoyable skills that one can acquire.
Study abroad opportunities complement our courses in St. Louis, and these include summer programs in Peru and Spain and semester programs in Chile and Spain. In addition, our Spanish program is linked to volunteer opportunities with the Latino community in St. Louis. For more information about the Spanish major and minor, visit our website.
Contact: | Ignacio Sánchez Prado |
---|---|
Phone: | 314-935-5175 |
Email: | isanchez@wustl.edu |
Website: | http://rll.wustl.edu |
For a list of affiliated faculty, please visit the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures faculty page.
The Major in Spanish
Required units: 27-30
The Spanish major requires a minimum of 30 units (or 27 units for second majors) at the 300 level or above, of which 21 units must be taken in residence. Study within Washington University's own programs in Spain or Chile is considered "in residence."
Required Courses
The following courses must be included in the 30 units:
Cultures and Communications in the Spanish-Speaking World
- Span 302 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World (Heritage speakers of Spanish must be certified by the director of undergraduate studies and enroll in Span 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.)
- Span 303 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II
For students in the older sequence, Span 307D is equivalent to Span 302, and Span 308E is equivalent to Span 303. Students who completed Span 307D but not Span 308E must take Span 303. Students who completed Span 308E must proceed to the literature surveys.
Span 303 is a prerequisite for any other 300-level literature course in Spanish.
Three Literature Survey Courses (9 units)
Three of the following courses, including one Peninsular and one Spanish-American course:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 341 | Literary and Cultural Studies in Spanish | 3 |
Span 342 | Iberian Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
Span 343 | Latin American Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
Study abroad:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 354 | A View from the Southern Cone: Perspectives on Art, Literature and Culture (Chile) | 3 |
Span 3361 | Spanish-American Literature II in Chile/Spain (Spain/Chile) | 3 |
Notes for students considering 400-level courses and study abroad:
- A minimum of two survey courses are prerequisites for all 400-level courses.
- One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain Romance Languages and Literatures semester programs, designated as an acceptable substitute, may be used as one of the three required 300-level survey courses. Students who still must fulfill a survey on campus after returning from study abroad may, with permission of the director of undergraduate studies in Spanish, petition to take an appropriate 400-level seminar in place of the remaining 300-level survey course. Otherwise, students may not take a 400-level course to replace a required 300-level survey course.
One Culture or Linguistics Survey Course (3 units)
Choose one from the following list:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 370 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
Span 380 | Topics in Hispanic Cultures | 3 |
Study abroad:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 3181 | Spanish Culture and Civilization | 3 |
Span 311 | Hispanic Culture and Civilization I (summer in Madrid) | 3 |
Span 313 | Chilean Contemporary Culture (Chile) | 3 |
Two 400-Level Seminars (6 units)
- Span 405W Major Seminar (selected topics)
- Span 410 Major Seminar (selected topics)
- Another 400-level course taught in Spanish
- Beginning in the 2016-17 academic year, students may take Span 405W or Span 410 in any combination; Span 405W will fulfill the college's Writing Intensive requirement, for those who need it.
- When offered, one of the following language seminars may be substituted for one of the two 400-level literature seminars: Span 417 Spanish Phonetics, Phonology and Dialectology or Span 411 Advanced Grammar and Syntax.
- Span 370 (or consent of the instructor) is a prerequisite for the 400-level linguistics courses taught in Spanish.
- Study abroad:
- One 400-level seminar taken on campus
- An approved 400-level course from the Madrid or Chile program (refer to the study abroad guidelines on the Romance Languages and Literatures website)
Elective Courses (two for single majors; one for double majors)
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 324 | Conversation in Cinema (Span 324 is the only University College course that can count as elective credit for the major and minor) | 3 |
Span 331 | Hispanic Art/Arte Hispano | 3 |
Span 351 | Business Spanish | 3 |
Span 353 | Medical Spanish | 3 |
Any other advanced 300- or 400-level Spanish (L38) class taught by a Romance Languages and Literatures faculty member |
- Only one elective course taught in English may be taken, when available, for the major.
Study abroad:
- Span 322 Advanced Conversation in Spain
- Elective credit from semester programs in Santiago or Madrid
- Elective credit from Petitioned, Organization for Tropical Studies, School for International Training, or Comparative Literature programs (refer to the study abroad guidelines on the Romance Languages and Literatures website)
- Spanish courses completed (and approved) from study abroad programs other than those offered at Washington University may be used for Spanish elective credit only.
- All study abroad credit requires authorization from the director of undergraduate studies.
Other Requirements
Prior to declaring a major, students are required to fill out a questionnaire about their previous preparation and objectives in studying Spanish. As seniors, they may fill out an optional survey about the major. Double-major seniors may elect to do their capstone experience in a 400-level course; single majors must do so. The capstone may be fulfilled through the completion of a 400-level class with a B+ or better or via honors (refer to the honors requirements on the Romance Languages and Literatures website). All qualified majors in the school of Arts & Sciences may elect to meet the requirements for honors. To be eligible to earn honors in Spanish, Spanish must be the student's prime major.
Recommended for prospective teachers:
-
A second language
-
Span 466, Span 467, Span 469, Span 413, Span 417 and Span 411
-
A semester or year in Spain or Chile
Recommended for prospective graduate students:
-
A second language related to the student's area of interest
-
Advanced work in other literatures, literary criticism and theory, and related course work in other literature or film programs
-
A year in Spain or Chile
-
Senior honors by thesis or course work (refer to the honors requirements on the Romance Languages and Literatures website). Students who have maintained a minimum cumulative grade-point average of at least of 3.65 through the end of the junior year are encouraged to work toward Latin honors (i.e., cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude).
The Minor in Spanish
Units required: 18
The Spanish minor requires the completion of 18 units, of which 12 must be taken in residence. Students must complete courses with a grade of B- or higher and maintain a B average or better overall in Spanish. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis do not count toward the Spanish minor.
Required Courses
-
Span 302 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World (Heritage speakers of Spanish must be certified by the director of undergraduate studies and enroll in Span 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.)
- Span 303 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II
Span 303 is a prerequisite for any other 300-level literature course in Spanish.
For students in the older sequence, Span 307D is equivalent to Span 302, and Span 308E is equivalent to Span 303. Students who completed Span 307D but not Span 308E must take Span 303. Students who completed Span 308E must proceed to the literature surveys.
Two Literature and Culture Survey Courses (6 units)
Two of the following courses, including one Peninsular and one Spanish-American course:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 341 | Literary and Cultural Studies in Spanish | 3 |
Span 342 | Iberian Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
Span 343 | Latin American Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
Study abroad:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 354 | A View from the Southern Cone: Perspectives on Art, Literature and Culture | 3 |
Span 3361 | Spanish-American Literature II in Chile/Spain | 3 |
- A minimum of two survey courses are prerequisites for all 400-level courses.
- One literature course taken in the Chile or Spain Romance Languages and Literatures semester programs, designated by the department as an acceptable substitute, may count as one of the required 300-level surveys. Students who return from their study abroad experience needing to complete one outstanding survey may, with permission of the director of undergraduate studies in Spanish, petition to take an appropriate 400-level seminar in place of the remaining 300-level survey course. Students who do not receive approval from the director of undergraduate studies may not take a 400-level course in place of a required 300-level survey course.
One Culture or Linguistics Survey Course (3 units)
One of the following courses:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 370 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
Span 380 | Topics in Hispanic Cultures | 3 |
Study abroad:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 311 | Hispanic Culture and Civilization I | 3 |
Span 3181 | Spanish Culture and Civilization | 3 |
Span 313 | Chilean Contemporary Culture | 3 |
One Elective Course (3 units)
One of the following courses:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Span 331 | Hispanic Art/Arte Hispano | 3 |
Span 351 | Business Spanish | 3 |
Span 353 | Medical Spanish | 3 |
Any other advanced-level Spanish course offerings either at the 300 or 400 level or an approved study abroad course |
Study abroad:
- Span 322 Advanced Conversation in Spain
- Elective credit from semester programs in Santiago or Madrid
- Elective credit from Petitioned, Organization for Tropical Studies, School for International Training, or Comparative Literature programs (refer to the study abroad guidelines on the Romance Languages and Literatures website)
- Spanish courses completed (and approved) from study abroad programs other than those at Washington University may be used for Spanish elective credit only.
- All study abroad credit requires authorization by the director of undergraduate studies.
Visit online course listings to view semester offerings for L38 Span.
L38 Span 101 Elementary Spanish I
Beginning language program stressing acquisition of spoken ability together with attention to the development of reading, writing and listening skills. In addition to three hours of class, students complete weekly, assessed independent learning activities with multimedia resources.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 102 Elementary Spanish II
Second semester of the beginning language program stressing acquisition of spoken ability together with attention to the development of reading, writing and listening skills. In addition to three hours of class, students complete weekly, assessed independent learning activities with multimedia resources. Prerequisite: Span 101D or placement by examination.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 201E Intermediate Spanish I
The first half of a two-semester intermediate-level sequence. Reviews basic knowledge and introduces advanced skills in grammar, reading, writing, culture and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Span102D, or placement by examination.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 202 Intermediate Spanish II
The second half of a two-semester intermediate-level sequence. This class continues to review basic knowledge and to introduce advanced skills in grammar, reading, writing, culture and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Span201E or placement by examination.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 223 Intermediate Spanish Conversation and Culture
Practice of spoken Spanish and expansion of vocabulary in a wide range of topics. Discussion and role play based on short readings, music and film. Use of the World Wide Web for up-to-date news and culture. Oral presentations and limited writing. Prerequisite: 201D or equivalent. Concurrent enrollment in Span 307D recommended.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 299 Undergraduate Independent Study
Prerequisites: Span 201D and permission of the department.
Credit variable, maximum 3 units.
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L38 Span 302 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World
This course is the first part of a two-semester advanced-level sequence. Through the study of a variety of media (i.e., written, visual, aural, and digital), students will develop linguistic and cultural competence and gain a general understanding of contemporary issues of interest in Spain, Latin America, and the United States. Discussion of a wide array of cultural and linguistic materials will serve as the basis for an exploration of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The course focuses primarily on speaking skills. It is designed to prepare students to proceed to higher-level Spanish courses and to build written and oral proficiency. This course replaces Span 307D and is a prerequisite for several study abroad programs. Prerequisite: Span 202 or placement by examination.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS EN: H
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L38 Span 3021 Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers of Spanish
This course offers an approach to the linguistic and historical study of different cultural productions in various Spanish-speaking communities in the United States and other Spanish-speaking countries. The materials and structure of the course are designed for students whose cultural roots are, to some degree, Latin and who have grown up in Spanish-speaking environments, so course materials focus on autobiography and identity. This course offers students a multidisciplinary way of working at points where linguistic and literary analysis runs parallel to other forms of cultural production and to the historical narrative of Latinx culture in the United States. Prerequisite: placement by examination.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS EN: H
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L38 Span 303 Cultures and Communication in the Spanish-Speaking World II
This course is the second part of a two-semester advanced-level sequence. Through study of a variety of media (written, visual, aural, and digital), students will develop linguistic and cultural competence and gain a general understanding of contemporary issues of interest in Spain, Latin America, and the US. Discussion of a wide array of cultural and linguistic materials will serve as the basis for an exploration of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The course focuses primarily on writing skills. It is designed to prepare students to proceed to higher-level Spanish courses and to build written and oral proficiency. Prerequisite: Spanish 302, 3021 or 307D. Direct placement in this course is not allowed without prior completion of 302 or 3021. This course replaces L38 308D and 308E.
Credit 3 units.
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L38 Span 308E Advanced Reading and Writing
In depth study of the process of advanced reading and writing designed to prepare the Spanish major for upper-level courses. Literary texts studied as examples of writing styles. Regular compositions. Prerequisite: Span 307D or placement by examination. Conducted in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 310 Advanced Intermediate Spanish in Spain
Continued study of Spanish grammar and syntax at Washington University's Madrid Carlos III University Program. A course designed for non-native speakers of Spanish, to refine communicative abilities in all four skills. Prerequisite: placement by exam at Carlos III.
Credit variable, maximum 4 units.
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L38 Span 311 Hispanic Culture and Civilization I
Study of aspects of the political, social and cultural life of contemporary Spain and Portugal and their historical development. Class discussion; readings with compositions. Conducted in Spanish. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Span 201D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H
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L38 Span 313 Chilean Contemporary Culture
This two-week course provides a panoramic view of Chilean contemporary culture, focusing on the years from 1988 to the present. We examine the representation of current issues in literature, the arts and the media, and study topics such as governmental institutions, the constitution of 1980, the economy, the role of the Catholic Church, public policy concerning culture, etc. The course meets three hours a day, and there are several guest lecturers. Conducted in Spanish. Requirements: two short papers, short reports in class of the news or a cultural activity students have attended, and participation in class discussions. Course includes an all-day cultural excursion on Saturday, which features a visit to one of Neruda's houses, a history museum, etc.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH EN: H
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L38 Span 317 Advanced Spanish Language in Chile/Spain
Continued study of Spanish grammar and syntax at Washington University's program in Chile or Spain. A course designed for non-native speakers of Spanish to refine mastery of difficult uses and structures in all four skills. Prerequisite: placement by exam or program director.
Credit variable, maximum 4 units.
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L38 Span 3181 Spanish Culture and Civilization
This course is intended to acquaint students with important aspects of Spanish culture, including history, civilization, society, politics and the arts, dating from the first invasions of the Peninsula to the present. Students gain an awareness of the ethnic, cultural and aesthetic diversity of Spain as a country of multiple autonomous regions, by working with written texts and other media and by visits to various locations. The broader aim of the course is to enable students to engage with and to analyze Spanish culture from an intellectually critical perspective and knowledge of its sociohistorical distinctiveness. Requirements include active participation within all classes and excursions, presentations and various written assignments. This course is taught in Madrid, as part of the Washington University Carlos III Program. Conducted in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 322 Advanced Conversation in Spain
Designed to offer students with advanced skills in Spanish an opportunity to refine their ability to discuss a variety of topics. Various media such as films, television, newspapers and other modes of communication are used for oral presentations and some writing. Prerequisite: Span 301, 307D or 308E, or multiple 300-level courses.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 331 Hispanic Art/Arte Hispano
This course focuses on the most important movements, artistic expressions and its representatives of the art history of Latin America and Spain. From the Pre-Columbian art of the Mayas, Aztecs and Incas, to the syncretism of Postcolonial Latin American art, the Mexican Muralism and the self-reconstruction portraits of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo to the Chicano Art in the USA. From the Medieval paintings of religious Spain, to the criticism of the Spanish nobility by Diego Velazquez, the Spanish Civil War of Guernica by Pablo Picasso, to the Surrealism of Salvador Dalí and Antonio Gaudi. The students visit the St. Louis and the Kemper Art Museums. Prerequisite: Span 308E. May be used for elective credit in the Spanish major or minor. In Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 3361 Spanish-American Literature II in Chile/Spain
A survey of major Spanish-American literary works from the end of the 19th century to the contemporary period at Washington University's program in Chile or Spain. Prerequisite: Span 308E or the equivalent.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L38 Span 341 Literary and Cultural Studies in Spanish
This course is an introduction to cultural and literary analysis within Iberian and Latin American cultures. The course will be covering a wide variety of materials that span different countries, historical periods, and various cultural and literary forms. The main objective of the course is to introduce students to key historical, geographical and political aspects of these cultures, while at the same time applying different approaches of cultural analysis. The course is structured upon key central concepts as they are particularly related to the cultures of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America, such as Nation, Colonialism / Postcolonialism; Modernity and Postmodernity; Popular & Visual Media; Gender, Race, Migration and Social Class. The course combines the reading of literary texts, films and other cultural forms, with the examination of introductory critical works related to the key concepts that will be explored throughout the semester. Prereq: Spanish 308E or Spanish 303, or concurrent enrollment in 308E or 303. Taught in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 342 Iberian Literatures and Cultures
Which are the cultures that shape what Spain is today? This course explores the diversity of the Iberian Peninsula through its literatures and cultures. As part of both the Mediterranean and Western Europe, the Iberian Peninsula has been shaped through a dynamic of conflict and negotiation between various cultures, languages, and religions. Students will engage themes such as internal colonization, imperialism, multiculturalism, regional identities, nation formation, migration, media and popular culture, modernization, and gender and race relations, as they relate to our understanding of the country today. Focuses may include but are not limited to the following: multiculturalism of the Middle Ages, the Muslim and Jewish presence in Spain, identity narratives and power relations, stage and performance traditions, as well as authors and artists like Cervantes, Galdós, García Lorca, Picasso, Almodóvar. Prereq: Spanish 308E or Spanish 303, or concurrent enrollment in 308E or 303. Taught in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 343 Latin American Literatures and Cultures
How did Latin America become Latin America? This course explores the different inventions and reinventions of the region through its literatures and cultures. Beginning with the encounter of Europeans with America, students will engage themes like colonization and colonialism, urban and rural cultures, nation formation, modernization, media and popular culture, as well as gender and race relations. Authors studied may include Colón, Sor Juana, Sarmiento, Neruda, Borges, García Márquez, or Morejón. Prereq: Spanish 308E or Spanish 303, or concurrent enrollment in 308E or 303. Taught in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 351 Business Spanish
Study of language and structures used in conducting business in the Hispanic world. We use actual materials from various businesses — advertising, marketing, real estate, accounting. Particular stress on speaking and writing. Prerequisite: Span 308E or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 353 Medical Spanish
Designed for future medical professionals, this course will provide students with a complete vocabulary and cultural sensitivity necessary for treating Spanish-speaking patients. While the main focus is oral/aural, written exams, varied reading and some research are required. Volunteer work recommended for enrolled students. Advanced students will be given priority. Prereq: Span 308E or 303.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 354 A View from the Southern Cone: Perspectives on Art, Literature and Culture
This course deals with current issues of cultural, social, political and literary importance related to the Southern Cone. We study selected texts from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay as well as contemporary films and drama productions. This course seeks to determine what specifically can be expressed about national identity, globalization and the environment as these countries face the 21st century. Course requirements include four short essays and a final exam. This course is taught in Santiago, Chile, as part of the Washington University Chile Program. May be repeated for credit. Conducted in Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH EN: H
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L38 Span 355 Spanish for the Social Sciences
This is an advanced Spanish language course designed to develop conversational, writing and listening skills for students in the social sciences. Students will learn and use the language in a content-based format, guided by culturally sensitive readings, discussions and activities. Prerequisite: Spanish 307D. In Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC Arch: SSC Art: SSC BU: HUM EN: S
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L38 Span 360 Literature Topics Course in Spain
Taught through the Humanidades program of Carlos III University. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: approval of Washington University's Madrid Program director and Carlos III.
Credit variable, maximum 3 units. Art: HUM
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L38 Span 3601 Cultural Studies Topics Course in Spain
Taught through the Humanidades program of Carlos III University. Topics vary each semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: approval of Washington University’s Madrid Program director and Carlos III.
Credit variable, maximum 3 units.
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L38 Span 370 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
An introduction to the scientific study of the Spanish language, this course focuses on each of the major linguistic subsystems, including the sound system (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), formation of phrases and sentences (syntax) and the use of the language to convey meaning (semantics and pragmatics). At each level of analysis, selected comparisons are made between Spanish and English and between Spanish and other languages. The course also examines different historical, regional and social varieties of Spanish and situations of Spanish in contact with other languages.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 380 Topics in Hispanic Cultures
This course surveys cultures in specific contexts (Latin America and Spain) and in different historical periods, from the Middle Ages to the present. The course provides students with critical and methodological tools in order to carry out an articulate and informed cultural analysis. Prereq: Span 303; concurrent registration in Span 308E or 303 is recommended. In Spanish. Topics vary from semester to semester. See section description for current offering.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH EN: H
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L38 Span 400 Intensive Translation for Graduate Students I
Designed to help graduate students in the humanities, social and natural sciences fulfill their PhD language requirement, this is the first part of a two-semester course sequence in reading and translating Spanish. Non-graduate students may enroll with permission of the department. Must be followed by Span 401.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L38 Span 401 Intensive Translation for Graduate Students II
Designed to help graduate students in the humanities, social and natural sciences fulfill their PhD language requirement, this is the second part of a two-semester course sequence in reading and translating Spanish. Non-graduate students may enroll with permission of the department. Credit for Span 400 is contingent on completion of Span 401.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L38 Span 4013 Second-Language Acquisition and Technology
This seminar for undergraduate and graduate students will transform research and theory about second-language acquisition into practice while focusing on technology-driven applications. The course fosters professional development as participants formulate critical skills for evaluating, creating, and integrating technology into the language classroom and other language learning contexts, including business, engineering, and law. Course formats include readings, discussions, and demonstrations with technologies. The course counts for the minor in applied linguistics, the PhD in applied linguistics, and the graduate certificate in language instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute and can be taken for different majors.
Same as L92 APL 4023
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC
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L38 Span 405W Major Seminar
An undergraduate seminar. Topics vary. This is a writing-intensive course, which requires a minimum of three papers of approximately four to five pages in length, with rewrites; 50 percent of the grade must come from written work. Prerequisites: Span 307D and Span 308E and at least two 300-level literature courses taught in Spanish. In Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, WI Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 410 Major Seminar
An undergraduate seminar. Topics vary. Prerequisites: Span 307D and Span 308E and at least two 300-level literature/culture surveys taught in Spanish. In Spanish.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 411 Advanced Grammar and Syntax
This course presents a detailed study of Spanish syntax. Different theories (including generative theory) as well as the relationship between (morpho) syntax and other linguistic subsystems are considered. Special attention is also given to Spanish/English contrasts of particular interest to language learners and teachers. Prerequisites: 6 units of 300-level Spanish, or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L38 Span 4111 Advanced Grammar and Syntax in Spain
Detailed study of contemporary Spanish syntax. Special attention to fine points of grammar and syntax necessary for communication at the advanced level, taught at Washington University's Carlos III Program in Madrid. Prerequisite: placement by exam.
Credit variable, maximum 4 units.
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L38 Span 4112 Bilingual Advanced Grammar and Syntax in Spain
Detailed study of contemporary Spanish syntax for bilingual students, taught at Washington University's Carlos III Program in Madrid. Prerequisite: placement by exam or program director.
Credit 3 units.
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L38 Span 413 Linguistics and Language Learning
This course, which is taught in English, is a foundation for students who will work with linguistically and culturally diverse people in the United States and around the world, whether this work is in the courtroom, the hospital, the classroom, the office, or another setting. The course will help to prepare students for the diverse range of 21st-century occupations that have language and linguistics at their center, including machine learning and translation studies. The courses uses a survey format and covers both internal and external factors related to language acquisition and language use, such as language and the brain, language aptitude, age, gender, memory, prior knowledge, and so on. Theoretical and research dimensions of both linguistics and foreign-/second-language learning are also treated. Corresponding implications of the readings focus on action, including making decisions about language policies as well as debates around the world that are informed by linguistic and language knowledge. The course is required for the minor in applied linguistics, the PhD in applied linguistics, and the graduate certificate in language instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute and can be taken for different majors, such as International and Area Studies and Educational Studies. Prerequisite: Ling 170 is recommended but not required.
Same as L92 APL 4111
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S
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L38 Span 416 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
An introduction to the scientific study of the Spanish language, this course focuses on each of the major linguistic subsystems, including the sound system (phonetics and phonology), word formation (morphology), formation of phrases and sentences (syntax), and the use of the language to convey meaning (semantics and pragmatics). At each level of analysis, selected comparisons are made between Spanish and English and between Spanish and other languages. The course also examines different historical, regional and social varieties of Spanish and situations of Spanish in contact with other languages. Preceptorial for undergraduates only.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L38 Span 417 Spanish Phonetics, Phonology and Dialectology
This course, conducted in Spanish, explores the linguistic varieties of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries from both a historical and a synchronic perspective. The course begins with a traditional look at Spanish phonetics and phonology, with all students memorizing and utilizing the International Phonetic Alphabet. Course readings and discussions extend beyond the descriptive and include a search for the sources of language variation within the Spanish-speaking world. Particular attention is devoted to language contact and bilingualism. Students read in areas such as history, sociolinguistics, dialectology and sociology, as well as traditional linguistic studies, in designing their projects concerning phonetics, phonology and dialect diversification.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: IS EN: H
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L38 Span 466 Second-Language Acquisition
There are many ways in which a second language can be learned: from infancy as the child of bilingual parents, or later through formal instruction, immersion in a new culture, or in a particular work or social situation. This class is an inquiry into the processes by which acquisition occurs. Topics include the nature of language learning within the scope of other types of human learning; the relationship between first- and second-language acquisition; the role of linguistic, cognitive and sociocultural factors; insights gained from analyzing learners' errors; key concepts such as interlanguage and communicative competence; bilingualism; the optimal age for second-language acquisition; and a critical appraisal of different theories of second-language acquisition. Both theoretical and instructional implications of second-language acquisition research are considered. This course can be used toward certification in TESOL and is a required course for the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or equivalent is recommended, especially for undergraduates, but is not required.
Same as L44 Ling 466
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM EN: H
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L38 Span 467 Grammar and Vocabulary Acquisition
This course examines theoretical and instructional implications of research on grammar and vocabulary acquisition. Topics include making form-meaning connections during language learning; developmental stages; the role of input and input processing; explicit and implicit methods of grammar instruction; pertinent factors in vocabulary acquisition, such a learning context and processing resource allocation; and comparisons of incidental and direct vocabulary instruction techniques. Major theories of language acquisition (e.g., nativism, emergentism) are critically examined in light of the research presented, and research findings are applied to instructional practices.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: BA EN: H
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L38 Span 469 Reading and Writing in a Second Language
This course, taught in English, extends issues in second language literacy beyond pedagogy by examining the wide range of theoretical and research issues, both historical and current. Literacy acquisition among second-language learners involves a number of variables including both cognitive and social factors. Topics discussed in class include literacy and social power, universal cognitive operations, individual learner differences, text types and literary forms, and the extent to which reading and writing are interrelated. Students discuss how to bridge research and practice, and they create reading and writing activities driven by theory and empirical investigations. This course is a required course for the undergraduate minor in Applied Linguistics and an elective for the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD
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L38 Span 4691 Second Language Reading and Writing: Theory, Research and Practice
This course, taught in English, extends issues in second language literacy beyond pedagogy by examining the wide range of theoretical and research issues, both historical and current. Literacy acquisition among second-language learners involves a number of variables including both cognitive and social factors. Topics discussed in class include literacy and social power, universal cognitive operations, individual learner differences, text types and literary forms, and the extent to which reading and writing are interrelated. Students discuss how to bridge research and practice, and they create reading and writing activities driven by theory and empirical investigations. This course is a required course for the undergraduate minor in applied linguistics and an elective for the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S
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L38 Span 4692 Reading Across Languages and Cultures: Theory, Research, and Practice
The United Nations has declared that literacy is a fundamental human right. This course, which is taught in English, connects to the mission of UNESCO and examines the wide range of theoretical and research issues -- both historical and current -- related to reading and writing across languages and cultures. Literacy acquisition among second-language learners involves a number of variables, including both cognitive and social factors. Topics to be discussed include universal cognitive operations, individual learner differences, text types and literary forms, literacy and social power, and the extent to which reading and writing are interrelated. Students will discuss how to bridge scientific research in the laboratory to practice, and they will be involved in St. Louis community outreach projects with refugees and immigrants at the International Institute, where they will create and implement reading and writing activities driven by theory and empirical investigations. Students will take the theory and research they learn, and they will help meet the local reading and writing needs of a changing population with a variety of backgrounds, values and educational preparations. The course is required for the minor in applied linguistics, the PhD in applied linguistics, and the graduate certificate in language instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute and can be taken for different majors, such as International and Area Studies and Educational Studies.
Same as L92 APL 4692
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S
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L38 Span 495 Honors
Students who meet the requirements work closely with a member of the faculty on an individual basis on a project of mutual interest. Emphasis on a tutorial on a regular basis. Prerequisite: permission of director of undergraduate studies. Preregistration not permitted.
Credit variable, maximum 3 units.
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L38 Span 4951 Honors
Students who meet the requirements work closely with a member of the faculty on an individual basis on a project of mutual interest. Emphasis on a tutorial on a regular basis. Prerequisite: permission of director of undergraduate studies. Preregistration not permitted. Pass/fail.
Credit 3 units. EN: H
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