Catalog 2017-2018

Spanish

Teaching Faculty

Professors Contreras-Silva and Vilahomat 
Assistant Professor Vidal-Torreira
Instructors Fabricio and French
Visiting Murphy Fellow R. Wright

Description

The Department of Languages offers a major and a minor in Spanish. The program is designed to develop written and oral communication skills, to promote global awareness through the study of different cultures and peoples, and to encourage aesthetic appreciation through the study of literature.

Major in Spanish

9 courses above the basic sequence distributed as follows:

  • SPAN 310 Survey of Spanish Literature to 1800
  • SPAN 320 Survey of Spanish Literature since 1800
  • SPAN 330 Survey of Latin-American Literature
  • 6 electives including:
              Any course at the 300 level or above
                        at least one must be Peninsular (Spanish) in focus
                        at least one must be Latin American in focus
                        at least two must be at the 400 level
              Only one 200 level course can count as an elective but neither is required
                        SPAN 210 Conversation and Composition
                                  or
                        SPAN 220 Advanced Grammar and Composition
      

Note(s):

The department encourages all students to have a study-abroad experience. Some things to remember include that, for a major and a minor, at least half of the courses taken to fulfill those requirements must be taken in residence. Courses taken abroad that will transfer as SPAN courses have to be based on literary texts, approaches, or linguistics. If a student hasn't taken SPAN 210/220 at Hendrix, a course in conversation or basic grammar could transfer as an equivalent. Courses taken in Spanish but in other disciplines transfer as courses in those disciplines and do not count towards a Spanish major or minor.

Senior Capstone Experience

The Senior Capstone Experience for the Spanish major is a comprehensive examination based on coursework in the major and on courses taken abroad, if applicable. The format of the written examination may vary from question to question, but the test will consist of five parts, and should not exceed three hours in length. The grade for the Senior Capstone Experience is based on the examination.

Minor in Spanish

5 courses above the basic sequence which may include:

5 courses above the basic sequence which must include:

  • At least one 400 level course
  • At least one course Peninsular in focus
  • At least one course Latin American in focus
  • The courses for the minor may include:
  • SPAN 210  Conversation and Composition
              or
    SPAN 220  Advanced Grammar and Composition , but neither is required

Courses by Requirement

  • Peninsular
    SPAN 360 Queer Literature In Spain
    SPAN 370 Love in Modern Short Story
    SPAN 380 Cervantes
    SPAN471 Twilight of the Spanish Empire
    SPAN 488 Echoes of the Spanish Civil War
  • Latin American
    SPAN 335 Latin American Poetry
    SPAN 340 Modernism & Vanguardism
    SPAN 350 Latin American Essay
    SPAN 351 Survey of Cuban Literature
    SPAN 375 Politics, Human Rights, & Vocation
    SPAN 410 Latin American Short Story
    SPAN 473 The Conquest of America
    SPAN 474 Indigenous Representations Latin Am
    SPAN 480 New Trends
    SPAN 485 Gender & Power in Latin Amer Novel

 

 

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Elementary Spanish Courses

SPAN 110

Fundamentals of Spanish I

An intensive language course which teaches the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing the language. This course also includes relevant cultural material.

SPAN 120

Fundamentals of Spanish II

Continues the development of the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This course also serves as a brief introduction to the study of culture and literature. Prerequisite: SPAN 110, its equivalent, or credit by examination.

SPAN 110, its equivalent, or credit by examination.
Language LA
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Intermediate Spanish Courses

SPAN 210

Conversation and Composition

This course further develops language skills and introduces students to textual analysis and literary composition. Prerequisite: SPAN 120, its equivalent, or credit by examination. Students who have already taken a 300-level course or higher in Spanish, are not to enroll in this course except by consent of instructor.

SPAN 120, its equivalent, or credit by examination. Students who have already taken a 300-level course or higher in Spanish, are not to enroll in this course except by consent of instructor.
SPAN 220

Adv Grammar & Composition-WII

A study of advanced grammar and syntax. Open to students who have completed the basic sequence, this course further develops knowledge of grammar and writing skills. Students who have already taken a 300-level course or higher in Spanish are not to enroll in this course except by consent of instructor. Prerequisite: SPAN 120, its equivalent, or credit by examination

SPAN 120, its equivalent, or credit by examination
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Advanced Spanish Courses

The prerequisite for all advanced Spanish courses is SPAN 210, 220, or consent of instructor.

SPAN 310

Survey Spanish Literature to 1800

An overview of Spanish literature from the Cid through the poets and dramatists of the Golden Age. Prerequisite: SPAN 210 or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.

SPAN 210 or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 320

Surv Spanish Lit sn 1800-WII

An overview of Spanish literature from the neoclassic movement of the 18th century to contemporary works. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 330

Survey of Latin American Literature

An overview of Spanish-language Latin-American literature from pre-Columbian times to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 210 or 220, or consent of instructor.

SPAN 210 or 220, or consent of instructor.
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 335

Survey of Latin Amer Poetry-WII

A study of the most recognized figures in Latin American poetry. Special attention will be given to works produced by women and working-class poets. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 340

Modernism & Vanguardism

A study of the Iberoamerican literature of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. The course includes the study of figures such as Ruben Dario, Jose Mari, Antonio Machado, Federico Garcia Lorca, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Pablo Neruda, etc. Prerequisite: SPAN 210 or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.

SPAN 210 or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 350

Latin American Essay

An overview of the history and evolution of Latin American thought through fundamental essays that focus on the political positions, ideologies, identity, economic programs, and philosophical perspectives of great essayists of Spanish letters. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 351

Survey of Cuban Literature

The course studies relevant Cuban authors of different aesthetic periods, giving emphasis to modernism, the Latin American boom literature and postmodernism. The work of authors such as Heredia, Martí, Carpentier, Arenas and Pedro Juan Gutiérrez, produced in and out of Cuba, are studied in depth. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor.
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 360

Queer Literature In Spain

This course explores peninsular Spanish literary production of topics related to queer and gay during the 20th and 21st centuries in Spain. Objectives include acquisition of broad knowledge about LGBTQ works and authors, recognition of the diversity in style and topics of this literary production, and an understanding of the evolution of Spanish gay literature from the early 20th century to the present. Genres treated include novels, essays, poetry and short stories. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 370

Love in Modern Short Story

In this course we read contemporary peninsular short stories that deal with love in its various forms, including familial love, romance, sexual and erotic relationships. We examine previously ignored topics in Spanish literature including domestic violence, fetishism and the use of new technologies in personal relationships. Special attention is paid to issues of gender when reading authors such as Lucia Etxebarria, Espido Freire and Jasone Osoro. Some Spanish translations from Galician and Basque—other official languages of Spain—are also treated. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 375

Politics, Human Rights, & Vocation

An introduction to major works and literary figures that have shaped the political and cultural landscape of Latin America. This course examines the way that a person's vision of social change has entered into political discourse and the role that vocation plays in that interaction. Prerequisites: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
SPAN 380

Cervantes

In this class students read a selection of Cervantes' most famous novellas, or what we now call short stories. Because Cervantes was considered the father of the modern European novel, we also read some extracts of his renowned novel Don Quixote, as well as one his plays. In order to understand Cervantes and his time we explore the history and society of the Spanish Golden Age. Prerequisites: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 390

Topics in Spanish

A topics course on the Spanish language. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught. Cross-listed as LITR 390. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
SPAN 410

Latin American Short Story-WII

A study of the genre with particular emphasis on works of the 20th century. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 471

Twilight of the Spanish Empire

A study of 19th century literary and cultural movement in Spain (enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, and Modernity). The course will focus on: the analysis of literary techniques and structures presented in the canonical works of the 19th centur; the study of connecting links between plays, poetry, essays, novels and short stories; the exploration of historical, social and cultural ideas, attitudes, sensibilities and points of view that can be examplified through the readings.

Literary Studies LS
SPAN 473

The Conquest of America

A study of the conquest and colonization of Latin America as portrayed by historical and literary texts. Indigenous accounts and the chronicles of conquistadors such as Columbus and Cortés are studied. Theoretical interpretive texts by Tzetvan Todorov and Beatriz Pastor Bodmer are also studied.

Historical Perspectives HP
SPAN 474

Indigenous Representations Latin Am

An examination of the influence that the indigenous populations, past and present, have had on contemporary works from Latin America. Works studied may include texts by Arguedas or Asturias, who both show indigenous influence in their narrative style, or works by Castellanos or Vargas Llosa, who both deal with the treatment of the indigenous and their beliefs. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 480

New Trends

A survey of new literary trends in Iberoamerican literature, with an emphasis on popular genres, science fiction, and the historical novel. Attention is given to postmodernist concepts and literary production. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 485

Gender & Power in Latin Amer Novel

A course geared toward the reading of novels that have captured international attention and deal with questions of gender, socioeconomic classes, and power. Authors studied may include Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Literary Studies LS
SPAN 488

Echoes of the Spanish Civil War

This course studies the Spanish Civil War using films and texts set during this period. We study not only what happened in Spain from 1936-1939, but also the circumstances that led to the war and the long-term consequences of this conflict. Historical information from before, during and after the war as well as the ideologies of both sides as expressed in songs, anthems and propaganda are examined. Reading may be done in translation for LITR credit. Cross-listed as LITR 488. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
Historical Perspectives HP
Literary Studies LS
Writing Level 2 W2
SPAN 490

Special Topics: Spanish

An intensive topics course on a selected topic or author. This course can be repeated for additional credits as long as the section topics are different. Consult the online course schedule for information about the topics currently scheduled to be taught. Prerequisite: SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor

SPAN 210, or SPAN 220, or consent of instructor
SPAN M41

Lesbian literature in Contemp Spain

This course focuses on contemporary (20th & 21st century) lesbian literature in Spain. Through several articles that analyze lesbian literature and how it emerged, students learn about historical and societal facts that have been critical to the creation of a safe space for lesbian literature to flourish in Spain. Readings include canonical novels, collections of poems, and a short story, all written by five acclaimed authors crucial to the literary subgenre of lesbian literature. These readings inform students of how lesbian literature blossomed free from censorship after Franco’s dictatorship.

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