Home » 2021-22 Academic Catalog » Curriculum » Spanish
Home » 2021-22 Academic Catalog » Curriculum » Spanish

Spanish

Elizabeth Steding (department head), David Thompson (section head)

Required for a major: Eight courses (32 hours), starting at SPAN 201 or above. May include one elective course (up to 4 credits) taught in English and approved by the faculty in Spanish. Elective options include ANTH 101, ANTH 103, ANTH 204, COMS 333, ECON 362, GH 101, GH 201, IDS 101, LING 131, POLS 132, and POLS 238. Required courses are SPAN 303, SPAN 346, SPAN 360; at least 4 courses (16 hours) above 300; language immersion experience. Writing requirement completed with SPAN 303.

Recommended supporting courses for students majoring in Spanish: Courses in Latin American history; politics and anthropology; courses in another modern or classical language; courses in linguistics.

Required for a minor: Five courses (20 hours), starting at SPAN 201 or above. Required course is SPAN 303; language immersion experience.

Language immersion experience: For majors, a minimum of 6 weeks of credit-bearing study through an approved study abroad program OR at least six weeks of credit-bearing internship in a Spanish-speaking environment. Credits earned during study away must be approved by the faculty in Spanish. For minors, at least three weeks of credit-bearing study through an approved study abroad program or January Term abroad course in Spanish, OR at least three weeks of credit-bearing internship in a Spanish speaking environment. Credits earned during study away must be approved by the faculty in Spanish. Program selection must be approved by the department for all majors and minors prior to departure. All majors and minors are encouraged to help maintain and advance their language skills by completing courses in the language during their final semesters at Luther.

View program learning goals for an explanation of learning outcomes in Spanish. 

Language Learning Center

The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics has a Language Learning Center in Main Building. Language students have access to language learning materials, tutoring, computers and printers, and video study rooms. The Language Learning Center also houses the department's Foreign Language Media Library with over 800 foreign language films and a selection of leisure reading books and audio books for language learners. Students can check out these materials as well as audio and video equipment for their class assignments. The Language Learning Center also provides language students with valuable work-study experiences related to their interest in languages.

For courses on teaching Spanish in the elementary grades, see education.

Spanish Courses

SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I

  • 4 hours

Introduction to the basic skills needed for communicating in Spanish. Stress on both oral and written forms. Intended for those with no previous Spanish study.

SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or recommended placement

Continuation of the basic skills needed for communicating in Spanish. Stress on both oral and written forms.

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or recommended placement

This course is for students who have successfully completed at least one year of college-level Spanish or the equivalent.

SPAN 220 Spanish for Heritage Learners

  • 4 hours

Spanish for Heritage Learners is a class for students who have heard and spoken Spanish at home but may not have had any formal instruction in the language. Students will develop and enhance their linguistics skills through opportunities to listen, read, write and communicate effectively in Spanish. Materials and activities are aimed to expand students' vocabulary, improve their command of grammar and spelling, facilitate expression with more fluency and confidence, as well as help them analyze and interpret literary texts, write about formal issues, and better understand historical and cultural issues relevant to the Spanish-speaking world, including their own.

SPAN 302 Effective Speaking in Spanish

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or recommended placement

This is a course for students who have completed intermediate-level coursework in Spanish and who have a solid background in Spanish grammar. Focus on developing speaking and oral comprehension skills, increasing proficency in extended narration and dialogue and developing knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures.

SPAN 303 Effective Writing in Spanish

  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or recommended placement

This is a course for students who have completed intermediate-level coursework in Spanish and who have a solid background in Spanish grammar. Focus on developing skills in writing and reading comprehension in a variety of cultural contexts.

SPAN 340 Language and Culture in the Spanish- Speaking World

  • 4 hours
  • Fulfills: Intercultural
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 302 strongly recommended

This January-term study abroad course will introduce students to the culture of a Spanish-speaking country first-hand. Course locations may include Peru, Dominican Republic, Spain, Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina and other countries where Spanish is an official language. In addition to language and culture instruction at a local institution, students will live with host families and participate in guided visits to sites that illustrate the diverse cultural history of the country. This course satisfies the immersion requirement for the Spanish minor. All interested students must complete an interview with the instructor prior to enrollment. May be repeated for credit up to three times in three different locations.

SPAN 341 Spanish for Medical Professionals

  • 4 hours
  • Fulfills: Intercultural
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 302 strongly recommended

This course is designed for students studying to become medical professionals and who require training in Spanish to serve Spanish-speaking clients in hospital or clinical settings. In addition to exploring medical terminology related to the human body, illnesses and treatments, we will also study communication between Spanish-speaking clients and English-speaking providers in U.S. clinical settings. The course takes place abroad in Spain or Latin America and thus fulfills the immersion requirement for the Spanish minor. In addition to academic work, students will live with host families; visit local clinics, hospitals or medical offices; and participate in guided tours to sites that illustrate the diverse cultural history of the country. All interested students must complete an interview with the instructor prior to enrollment.

SPAN 346 Exploring Hispanic Art, Literature, and Film

  • 4 hours
  • Fulfills: Human Expression—Primary Texts
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 303

In this course students will study a range of texts and forms of cultural production from the Spanish-speaking world (literature, visual art, journalism, film, television, digital media) in order to build skills in analysis, comparison and interpretation.

SPAN 350 Professional Uses of Spanish

  • 4 hours
  • Fulfills: Intercultural
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 302 or 303

A course for students of Spanish who desire further training in specific professional and practical contexts. Focus on Spanish for business and medical professionals. Development and assessment of writing and speaking skills in these contexts.

SPAN 360 Cultural Expressions of the Hispanic World

  • 4 hours
  • Fulfills: Human Expression—Primary Texts, Intercultural
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 303

This course studies the Spanish-speaking world through its cultural manifestations: language, literature, film, arts, television, music, and the news media. Several topics are offered on a rotating basis: cinema, social revolution and the arts, Hispanics in the U.S., current events, popular music and poetry, Spanish and Latin American civilizations. May be taken up to two times for credit under different topics.

SPAN 490 Senior Project

  • 1 hour
  • Prerequisites: SPAN 346 and senior standing

A required course for Spanish majors who choose to do their senior projects in Spanish. Students with multiple majors are not obligated to complete a senior project in Spanish. Development of a significant research project in stages, including a written research paper and a formal presentation. Topics may include Hispanic literature and culture, second language acquisition, and linguistics; interdisciplinary projects are welcome.