Spanish (SPAN)

This is an archived copy of the 2016-2017 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.wofford.edu.

SPAN 101. Beginning Active Spanish. 3 Hours.

A comprehensive introduction to the four skills of the language: speaking, aural comprehension, reading, writing. Structure and communication skills are emphasized through extensive use of Spanish in the classroom.


SPAN 102. Beginning Active Spanish. 3 Hours.

A comprehensive introduction to the four skills of the language: speaking, aural comprehension, reading, writing. Structure and communication skills are emphasized through extensive use of Spanish in the classroom.

Prerequisite: SPAN 101 with a minimum grade of D.


SPAN 200. Communication & Culture. 3 Hours.

This course aims to consolidate the student's control of the basic grammar of the language and to continue development of the four skills. Communication skills are emphasized through extensive use of Spanish in the classroom, focusing particularly on the many facets of Hispanic culure, through the study of art, literature, music, etc.


SPAN 201. Intermediate Active Spanish. 3 Hours.

An intensive review of the language, with emphasis on development of strong oral skills, refinement of grammatical structure, vocabulary building, and expansion of reading and writing skills. Oral communication is stressed in class.

Prerequisite: SPAN 102 with a minimum grade of C-.


SPAN 202. Intermediate Active Spanish. 3 Hours.

An intensive review of the language, with emphasis on development of strong oral skills, refinement of grammatical structure, vocabulary building, and expansion of reading and writing skills. Oral communication is stressed in class.

Prerequisite: SPAN 200 with a minimum grade of C- or SPAN 201 with a minimum grade of C-.


SPAN 280. Selected Topics in Spanish. 1 to 4 Hours.

The study of selected topics at the introductory or intermediate level in Spanish.


SPAN 303. Advanced Spanish. 3 Hours.

Intensive practice in the passive skills (reading, listening) and in the active skills (writing, speaking) to move the student toward advanced proficiency in Spanish. Practice with an extensive range of authentic listening and reading materials will allow students to work toward a superior level of recognition control. In the active skills, manipulative and creative practice in real communication helps students to improve productive control. The course also stresses vocabulary acquisition and accuracy in the application of grammatical principles. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 202 with a minimum grade of C-.


SPAN 305. The Hispanic World: Spanish America. 4 Hours.

An introduction to the culture of Spanish America. A study of Spanish-American historical development and major aspects and issues of its social, artistic, intellectual, and political life today. Conducted in Spanish. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 307. The Hispanic World: Spain. 4 Hours.

An introduction to the culture of Spain, with emphasis on physical and human geography, historical development, and contemporary Spanish society. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 308. Modern Writers of the Hispanic World. 3 Hours.

An advanced language and introductory literature course emphasizing basic techniques of discerning reading and articulate writing. Readings include poetry, novellas, and short stories by major Spanish and Spanish-American authors. Short critical essays provide practice in clear expository writing. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 309. Building Linguistic and Cultural Competence Through Oral Texts. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to build speaking and oral comprehension skills using "oral texts" relative to the contemporary cultures of the countries in which Wofford's major study abroad programs are located (Spain, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Dominican Republic). Conducted in Spanish. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 310. Interactive Spanish Grammar. 3 Hours.

Improving grammatical accuracy with the problematic points of Spanish grammar is the focus of this course, which aims to move students towards advanced proficiency in their written and oral production of the language by focusing on the more complex grammatical structures that non-native and heritage speakers find hard to master. Attention will be given to syntactic patterns, morphological rules, lexical accuracy, stylistic features of the language, and vocabulary acquisition. Conducted in Spanish, this course will cover different grammatical topics than Spanish 445.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 311. Leadership & Social Change in the Hispanic World. 3 Hours.

This seminar focuses on the leaders and organizations that effect positive change in the Hispanic world. Through the study of a variety of texts, students examine cultural, historical, political, and sociological dimensions of both challenges and solutions to social problems in the Hispanic world. Students also study historical and contemporary examples of transformational leaders and organizations in three sectors (public, private, non-governmental/non-profit), and the emerging sector of for-benefit and venture philanthropy programs. Conducted in Spanish. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 411. Writers and Their Worlds. 3 Hours.

Focusing on the work of one significant author from Spain or Latin America, this course explores the literary production of that writer in the context of the social, political, cultural, and literary worlds out of which the work was produced. Writers studied vary from year to year. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 412. Hispanic Narrative Fiction. 3 Hours.

A careful reading of representative short stories and novels by major authors of the Hispanic world. The course also focuses on the fundamental elements and techniques of narrative fiction and critical reading strategies. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 413. Hispanic Poetry. 3 Hours.

A careful study of representative poetry by major authors of the Hispanic world. The course also focuses on the fundamental genres, forms, elements, and techniques of poetry in Spanish and critical reading strategies. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 414. Hispanic Non-Fiction. 3 Hours.

A careful reading of major essays, journalistic articles and reviews, biographies, and other non-fictional texts by Spanish and Spanish-American writers. The course also focuses on important themes and perspectives of influential Hispanic authors, particularly their commentaries on U.S. attitudes, culture, and foreign policy, as well as on the basic elements and strategies of their prose styles. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 416. Interdisciplinary Ibero-American Cultural Studies. 3 Hours.

This course applies an interdisciplinary framework to a topic of cultural significance in the Hispanic world. The course focuses on the fundamental theoretical and methodological tools needed to analyze cultural texts in which specific issues in Ibero-American culture are expressed. Topics studied vary from year to year. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 418. Spanish and Spanish-American Theater. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to build linguistic, cultural and historical understanding of the theater of Spain and/or Latin America through the study of major plays. The course focuses on the fundamental theoretical and methodological tools needed to analyze theater as both written discourse and performance art. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 421. Spanish and Spanish-American Film Seminar. 0 to 4 Hours.

A study of Hispanic film as an art form. Using a representative sample of films as 'texts,' the course considers narrative processes, representational modalities, and the language of film (cinematographic techniques and devices). Other topics of consideration may include the cinematic depiction of social and cultural realities (film as cultural mirror, film as propaganda); the historical development of a national film industry; and the director as auteur. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 308 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 440. The Craft of Translation. 3 Hours.

A practical approach to the problems and techniques of Spanish/English and English/ Spanish translation. A variety of texts in both languages are used as an introduction to the translator's art and craft. These texts are chosen specifically to emphasize important issues of advanced Spanish grammar and stylistics as well as points of contrast between the two languages which must be mastered by the accomplished translator. Such diverse problems as proverbs, jokes, and the idiosyncratic jargons of business, journalism, law, and politics are sampled. Conducted in Spanish and English.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 441. Practical and Creative Writing in Spanish. 3 Hours.

A practical approach to writing in Spanish. The course samples a wide variety of writing projects, such as personal letters and diaries, business letters and memos, newspaper and magazine articles, commercial advertisements, recipes, instructions, letters of recommendation, and the traditional genres of autobiography, short story, essay, and poetry. Course work concentrates on the development of clarity of expression, lexical precision, structural accuracy, and graceful, persuasive, and appropriate styles. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 442. Oral Proficiency. 3 Hours.

A practical approach to speaking Spanish. Using a wide variety of spoken samples for listening practice and role-play tasks for speaking practice, the course examines the functions and contexts of oral proficiency levels from intermediate to superior abilities. The course also considers techniques of oral assessment and the nature of professional interpreting as a career. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 445. Advanced Spanish Structures: Syntax, Morphology and Lexicon. 3 Hours.

A linguistic analysis of those problematic points of Spanish grammar (morphology and syntax) and usage (lexical refinement) that non-native speakers find hard to master and native speakers find hard to explain. The course concentrates on details of Spanish usage and stresses accuracy in the application of grammatical principles, lexical variations, and stylistic concerns. Intensive practice in writing and translation helps students to develop an advanced level of productive control. Conducted in Spanish.

Prerequisite: SPAN 303 with a minimum grade of C.


SPAN 480. Advanced Topics in Spanish. 1 to 4 Hours.

The study of selected topics at the advanced level in Spanish.


SPAN 500. Honors Course. 3 Hours.

At the discretion of the faculty, students may undertake a six-hour independent course of study in the senior year in order to broaden their educational experience within their major area of study. Students must meet specific GPA standards and arrange a faculty sponsor. The honors course criteria are outlined in the Academic Honors portion of the catalog.