Spanish

Courses

101
Elementary Spanish I
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

This course teaches listening and speaking skills in Spanish through active participation by the students in communicative situations. By the end of the course, the students are able to comprehend and communicate orally in a culturally acceptable manner, using basic language structures and common vocabulary related to everyday topics and communication needs.

102
Elementary Spanish II
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

This course teaches listening, speaking, reading, and some writing skills in Spanish through active participation by the students in a wide variety of communicative contexts. By the end of the course, the students are able to comprehend, communicate orally, read intelligently, and write simply in Spanish, using basic language structures. They will also be able to employ constructively a broad range of vocabulary related to the themes studied and to survival communication and cultural needs.

Prerequisite: Spanish 101 or equivalent
201
Intermediate Spanish I
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

This course teaches listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and basic writing skills in sequential development following 101/102, using a variety of original texts in Spanish and exposing students to native Spanish speakers and cultural events.

Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or equivalent
202
Intermediate Spanish II
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Expanding on Spanish 201, this course provides original texts, film media, music, and cross-cultural experiences. Students speak and read using all verb tenses and a broad range of structures and vocabulary. They create original compositions at their level, geared to their interests.

Prerequisite: Spanish 201 or equivalent
301
Advanced Spanish I
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

This course continues the linguistic and cultural experiences of 201/202. Grammar and phonetics are studied in relation to the language skills the students have acquired. Cultural inquiry and current foreign events are emphasized. Original compositions are linked to course goals as well as student interests. Majors and minors are required to pass a target language proficiency exam during the term in which they take 301.

Prerequisite: Spanish 202 or equivalent
303
Spanish Conversation
1 credit
Instructor: Spanish Target Language Experts

An opportunity for extended use of the target language to improve oral fluency and proficiency. A wide range of communicative opportunities will encourage active exploration of the target culture. (The course can be repeated for up to a total of 4 credits.) S or U.

Prerequisite: Spanish 202 or equivalent
304
Spanish Composition
2 credits
Instructor: Staff

The course will focus on writing as a process. Using the workshop format students will be involved in the different stages of writing from the beginning to end. Prerequisites: Students' writing will be evaluated in 301. Those students who would benefit from further writing opportunities will enroll in 304 before they are permitted to enroll in courses above 301.

Prerequisite: Spanish 301
305
Intensive Spanish Encounter
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

This intensive conversation course will increase the student's ability to express themselves orally in a wide variety of everyday situations, while interacting with the Hidivic culture. Contact with the larger Hidivic community off campus as well as contextualized in-class course activities will improve overall oral expression and extend awareness of cultural practices

Prerequisite: SPAN 202
308
The Spanish-Speaking World: Social, Political, and Economic Issues
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Students will learn about social, political, and economic issues affecting the Spanish-speaking world using a variety of media and texts. Issues will be discussed within the context of the contemporary world, and examination of the historical background will further students' understanding of these issues in their cultural context.

Prerequisite: Spanish 301 or consent of instructor
309
The Spanish-Speaking World: Cultural and Intellectual Life
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Students will study major currents of cultural and intellectual life in Spanish-speaking regions. Topics will range from high culture to daily life. Students will examine the historical background of cultural manifestations. A variety of media including printed texts will guide students' understanding of both past and present cultural life.

Prerequisite: Spanish 301 or consent of instructor
311
Interpreting Written Texts in Spanish
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Students will learn to read and discuss in Spanish a range of Spanish texts. They will be exposed to the Spanish literary tradition and learn to interpret textual intentions and assumptions.

Prerequisite: Spanish 301
401
Senior Seminar in Spanish
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

A capstone experience in which the students will study the theoretical foundations of Spanish studies (cultural as well as literary). They will be introduced to the problems of translation. A major component of the course will be the preparation of an independent research paper, the Senior Thesis, which will culminate in a formal oral presentation of the results of the investigation as well as in a major paper written in Spanish.

Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor and GNRL 351
424
Hispanic Theatre
4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Students stage a play in Spanish. Students also read and discuss related texts; these include such topics as other plays which contextualize the play being performed or texts expanding on cultural or historical issues raised by it. The course may fulfill a topics course requirement of the major.

Prerequisite: Spanish 308 or 309 and 311 and GNRL 351 or consent of instructor
471
Topics in Spanish
1-4 credits
Instructor: Staff

Intensive study of specific topics related to Spanish literature and culture.

Prerequisite: Spanish 308 or 309 and 311 and GNRL 351 or consent of instructor

Faculty Spotlight

Prof. Isabel Rivero-Vila

Isabel Rivero-Vila
Assistant Professor of Modern Languages

"It has been a privilege to work at Carthage College. Working here has offered me the possibility of dedicating myself to my passion: foreign languages in general and specifically, teaching French and Spanish. It is a dream come true." Read more.


Student Voices

Carthage students speak out about the Department of Modern Languages. Read more.


J-Term at Carthage

A special month-long period of study in January to experiment, create and dream. Read more ...