Spanish Studies

Department Affiliation: Language and Culture

Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world and in the United States, and it is of particular importance in our state of California and other states. Complete proficiency of the language provides enormous leverage in all public and private sectors of the job market.

The department offers programs for both Majors and Minors. These comprehensive programs lead to a proficiency in the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Incorporated into the program are the cultures and civilizations of the Spanish-speaking world.

Degrees:

Spanish Studies Minor: 26 units

Spanish Studies B.A./Major: 41 units

Spanish Studies B.A. with Translation Emphasis: 38 units

Spanish Studies B.A. with Spanish Journalism Emphasis:

Interdepartmental Degrees:

A.A. Human Services for Bilingual Settings. See A.A. Human Services (Sociology).

B.A. Major in Spanish and Business Administration, as listed below.

Spanish Studies Minor and Major

Required Courses for the Spanish Studies Minor – 26 units

Spanish Studies Major

Required Courses for the Spanish Studies Major – 41 units

All courses required for the Minor (26) plus 5 upper division courses (15). A total of 14 lower division and 27 upper division.

Students receive 8 Spanish language college units if they have 4 or 5 in SPA Language Advance Placement Test or if they have been placed, after taking MSMC Placement Test, in SPA3 A or B.

Students who are Spanish speakers, and have been placed in SPA3, should take SPA 3A. Non-Spanish speakers should take SPA 3B.

Any course completed with a grade of D or below is not acceptable toward a major or minor in Spanish Studies and must be repeated.

Students are strongly encouraged to do double Majors or combine a Major and a Minor. Students are also strongly encouraged to spend a Junior semester abroad, for a maximum of 12 transferable units.

Majors must take at least 15 units in the department. Minors must take at least 12 units in the department.

Three courses can double count for both History and Spanish Studies degrees and can be taken interchangeably: SPA 44/144 and HIS 162; SPA 145 and HIS 165 and SPA 112 and HIS 113.

Spanish Studies Major with Translation Emphasis

Prerequisites: Spa 1 and Spa 2 (8 units) or Language Fulfillment Alternative (p. xx)

1. Core Courses required for Majors and Minors

or

2. Additional courses required for the Spanish Emphasis in Translation

Total: 38 units.

Spanish Studies Major with Spanish Journalism Emphasis

Prerequisites: Spa 1 and Spa 2 (8 units) or Language Fulfillment Alternative (p. xx)

1. Core Courses required for Majors and Minors

or

2. Additional courses required for the Spanish Journalism Emphasis

Interdepartmental Degrees

A.A. in Human Services for Bilingual Settings.

See A.A. Human Services (Collaboration with the Sociology Department)

Various courses including:

B.A. Degree with a Major in Spanish and Business Administration

(Collaboration with Business Administration).

Spanish Studies:

Requirements:

Choose 1 of the following:

Business Administration

Lower Division Requirements:

Total: 27 lower division units in Business Administration

Upper Division Requirements:

Total: 18 upper division units in Business Administration

Students with a major in Spanish and Business are strongly encouraged to do a Junior semester in Europe or Latin America.

Total units in Spanish and Business: 83

Spanish Studies Courses

SPA 1 Elementary Spanish I (4)

Develops the four fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis on speaking and grammar. GS-IV

SPA 2 Elementary Spanish II (4)

Further develops the fundamental skills stressing reading and writing as well as vocabulary building. Prerequisite: SPA 1 or equivalent. GS-IV

SPA 3A Accelerated Spanish III (3)

This is a fast-track course for students who can communicate orally but need to improve in grammar. The class is conducted in Spanish only and will focus primarily on grammar. Prerequisite: Oral Test. GS-IV

SPA 3B Intermediate Spanish III (3)

This is the logical continuation of SPA 1 and SPA 2 for students who are not Spanish-speaking. Emphasis on conversation and oral comprehension. Prerequisite: SPA 2 or equivalent. GS-IV

SPA 4 Intermediate Spanish IV (3)

Introduction to literature which underlines cultural diversity. Prerequisite: SPA 3 or equivalent. GS-IV, VI

SPA 27 Spanish for Health Professionals (2)

An introduction to medical vocabulary with emphasis on the process of communication, on medical vocabulary and role playing. Prerequisite: Elementary knowledge of Spanish useful, but not required.

SPA 33A Civilizations and Cultures of Spain (3)

A general view of historical, social, and cultural developments in Spain up to today. This course is given in English through the Weekend College only. GS-IV

SPA 33B Civilizations and Cultures of Hispanic America (3)

An introduction to the Civilizations and Cultures of Hispanic America with emphasis on their artistic and literary masterpieces. Cultural differences and similarities will be stressed. This course is given in English through the Weekend College only. GS-IV, VI

SPA 44/144/244 Hispanic Civilizations and Cultures (3)

A background course for the study of the arts and literature of Hispanic America, focusing on historical, social, and cultural developments. Emphasis on cultural differences and similarities. GS-VI (HIS 162)

SPA 107 Theory and Practice of Culture (3)

The course addresses the growing domestic and global necessity for understanding and communication across cultural boundaries. This is a theoretical and practical approach to understanding cultural differences as well as similarities. It is taught in English.

SPA 109 Spanish Writing Lab (3)

Intensive training in writing, with emphasis on vocabulary, idiom, structural patterns, and style. Exercises in rhetoric, in creative and other forms of writing.

SPA 110 Chicano and other Hispanic Literature in the U.S. (3)

The focus will be on Chicano writers and other authors from Cuba and the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Central and South America writing in the United States.

SPA 112 History and Civilization of Spain (3)

An historical and cultural analysis of the civilization of Spain, and the development of its socio-political institutions up to this day.

SPA 114A Introduction Translation/Interpretation (3)

This course is designed to introduce the basic concepts, theories and strategies for translation and interpretation from Spanish to English. Students will translate Spanish texts from various categories which may include legal, business, medical, social and literary. In addition, students will examine the best ways to handle idiomatic expressions, non-equivalents, tenses and other grammatical structures. Prerequisite: Basic fluency in both languages.

SPA 114A Translation/ Interpretation (3)

This course will continue to acquaint students with concepts, theories and strategies for translation at an advanced level. Focus will be placed on translation and interpretation from English to Spanish. Students will review the fundamentals of written Spanish grammar as prescribed in the latest revision of La Real Academia Española and make contrastive analysis between the source and the target language's written form. Translation of texts from individual student's field(s) of interest will include, but are not limited to, legal, business, medical, social and literary.

SPA 115/215 Applied Linguistics (3)

Modern descriptive linguistics and its application to teaching. Attention will be given to phonology, morphology, syntax, and other structural elements that apply to language learning.

SPA 125 Spanish Masterpieces (3)

A study of the masterpieces of Spanish literature with emphasis on themes and styles of works: Cervantes, Calderón, Feijoo, Zorilla, Galdós, Blasco Ibanez and others.

SPA 129 Cervantes (3)

A study of the most important shorter works of Cervantes meant to elucidate his thoughts and his continuing relevance for our time.

SPA 132 Studies in the Generation of 1898 (3)

The spirit of the Generation of `98 as reflected in the works of major representative authors.

SPA 135 Contemporary Spanish Literature (3)

Major trends of poetry, theater, and prose from 1898 to present. Intensive study of specific authors and critical analysis of selected works.

SPA 140 Contemporary Literature of Hispanic America (3)

A study of the most outstanding works by contemporary Hispanic and Spanish-American writers such as Octavio Paz, Carlos Fuentes, Vargas Llosa and Gabriel Garcia Marquez and others. GS-VI

SPA 145 Cultures of the Spanish-Speaking Peoples of the Americas (3)

Various historical and modern aspects of the cultures and their roles within the United States and California. Includes origins, values, communication and socialization systems, migration and immigration patterns, relationships with other cultures. Prerequisite: Completion of SPA 1 & 2.

SPA 146 Women in Hispanic Literature (3)

Major contemporary women writers in the literature of Hispanic America and Spain: women's view of life and culture. GS-VI

SPA 148 Films and Hispanic Literatures (3)

Analysis of main aesthetic, cultural, and philosophical questions in the Hispanic world as articulated in literature and films.

SPA 149 Business Communication and culture (3)

An introduction to the forms, styles, usages and procedures followed in commercial correspondence and business practices in the Spanish-speaking world. Prerequisite: SPA 25 or instructor's consent.

SPA 150 Times, People, and Themes (3)

This course will foster the exploration of special interest areas: from Latin American music to border literature to specific authors and artists. Course content will be defined and announced when the course is offered. May be repeated for credit.

SPA 190AB Internship program (3,3)

Internship program in areas related to the emphasis.

SPA 191 Senior Thesis (3)

A two-semester directed research project required for majors under the direction of a department faculty member. The topic of the thesis may be related to culture, literature or international business and must be approved by the department chairperson. Students must enroll in their thesis course no later than the first semester of their senior year.

SPA 194 Study/Travel (1-6)

Pre-travel lectures and readings, as well as guided tours in the country, serve as basis for a study/travel program, with each participant developing a project highlighting the travel experiences.

SPA 196H Senior Honors Thesis (3)

Open only to students admitted to the Honors Program,

SPA 198AB Directed Readings (3,3)

Directed readings selected from authors representative of significant literary periods.

SPA 199AB Independent Studies (1-3, 1-3)

Directed readings and research. For qualified students with the approval of the department.