In this section

Courses

Please note that not every course listed is offered each year and students should consult STU Self Service for current course offerings.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SPAN-1006. Beginning Spanish

The beginner's course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of the language. It represents the basic level in the learning of Spanish. Teaching methods and texts will vary from year to year and from instructor to instructor. The aims of the course are the acquisition of (1) listening comprehension, (2) basic vocabulary suitable for everyday conversations, (3) simple grammatical structures, and (4) a knowledge of reading and writing techniques. The basic skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) are emphasized. In addition, each instructor will introduce the students to selected elements of Hispanic Culture. In addition, students are required to attend a one-hour compulsory monitor session per week.

SPAN-2013. Intermediate Spanish I

This course begins with a review of the first-year course and proceeds to include, in a progressive way, the new components of intermediate grammar. Conversation will be an essential part of the course. Vocabulary expansion will be developed through short readings. The practice of listening, speaking, writing, and reading will give students the opportunity to improve their use of the language. Audio-visual materials will reinforce the student's understanding of Hispanic Culture.

SPAN-2023. Intermediate Spanish II

This course is the continuation of Intermediate Grammar I or its equivalent. It begins with a review of the indicative mood and then moves on to coverage of the subjunctive mood. This course will stress conversation, oral exercises, and oral presentations. Written assignments will improve the accuracy of the grammatical structures learned in the oral part of the course. Plays will sometimes be used as a part of the learning language process.

SPAN-2113. Culture and Composition I

This course continues with the cultural studies that were introduced in first year. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing assignments. Written Spanish is developed through cultural readings drawn from selected Peninsular Spanish texts. The course contains a basic research component and students will be encouraged to select and develop their own research interests.

SPAN-2123. Culture and Composition II

This course follows on from SPAN 2113 and continues the cultural study methods that were introduced in first term. Emphasis is again placed on reading and writing assignments. Written Spanish is developed through cultural readings drawn from selected Latin American texts. The course contains a basic research component and students will be encouraged to select and develop their own research interests.

SPAN-2213. Travel Study: Cuban History and Culture

This study tour of the Western region of Cuba offers a harmonious blend of language, history, and culture. It presents an overview of Cuban history from its origins to the present day. Highlights encompass visiting various historical and cultural sites in the Western part of Cuba and experiencing a unique immersion into art, architecture, cuisine, literature,history, religion, music, fashion, and current events as well as a forty-hour history course at the University of Holguín.

SPAN-2413. Oral Intense I

This innovative course will provide intense oral practice in Spanish. In addition to traditional oral practices (film, radio, video, discussions, oral presentations, debates), there will be small discussion groups and regular access to sound and video files on the WWW. News items, current newspapers, radio and television news will be accessed regularly on the WWW and specific news items will be followed in some detail. Prerequisite: At least 12 credit hours in Spanish or the equivalent. 6 hours class per week. In addition, students are required to attend a three-hour compulsory monitor session per week.

SPAN-2423. Oral Intense II

This course is designed as a follow up to SPAN 2413 and will provide intense oral practice in Spanish. In addition to traditional oral practices, there will be small discussion groups and regular access to sound and video files on the WWW. News items, current newspapers, radio and television news will be accessed regularly on the WWW and specific news items will be followed in some detail. Prerequisite: SPAN 2413 or equivalent. In addition, students are required to attend a three-hour compulsory monitor session per week.

SPAN-3313. Advanced Reading I

Students will develop their reading and analyses skills by an in-depth reading of selected Peninsular Spanish texts and in addition, they will improve their oral fluency studying the rhythms of Peninsular Spanish poetry. Oral and written expositions on specific topics which arise from their textual analyses will reinforce the accuracy of the use of Spanish language in all its forms.

SPAN-3323. Advanced Reading II

Students will develop their reading and analyses skills by on in-depth reading of selected Latin American texts and in addition, they will improve their oral fluency studying the rhythms of Latin American poetry. Oral and written expositions on specific topics which arise from their textual analyses will reinforce the accuracy of the use of Spanish language in all its forms.

SPAN-3513. Advanced Grammar I

This course aims to build on the knowledge and communicative skills that students have previously acquired, in a limited form, with regards to the subjunctive tense. During the course of the semester, in-class activities will emphasize the practice of the present subjunctive tense. Some structural exercises and reading activities will be used; however, the course is based on communicative activities and projects that will reinforce grammar acquisition.

SPAN-3523. Advanced Grammar II

This course is a continuation of Advanced Grammar I. As in the first course, this one also aims to build on the knowledge and communicative skills that students have previously acquired with regards to the subjunctive tense. During the course of the semester, in-class activities will emphasize the practice of the past subjunctive tenses. Some structural exercises and reading activities will be used; however, the course is based on communicative activities and projects that will reinforce grammar acquisition.

SPAN-3643. Special Topics

The content of this course changes from year to year to reflect the special strengths of faculty and the particular needs of students.

SPAN-4013. Medieval Spanish Literature

Medieval Spanish Literature will be considered from two different points of view. (1 ) Prose: the development of the medieval novel; and (2) Poetry: the evolution of poetry from epic to lyric. Students will research at least one major text in each area in addition to preparing selected readings from important works. 3 hours per week.

SPAN-4023. Spanish Golden Age Culture and Texts

This course will include a close reading of selected, representative texts covering equally 1) Renaissance and Baroque poetry, 2) the Picaresque Novel, and 3) the Creation of the National Theatre. Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of the Spanish language as the seeming simplicity of the Renaissance changes to the intense complexity of the Baroque.

SPAN-4033. Nineteenth Century Spanish Culture and Texts

This course will consist of two separate unities: 1) the Romantic Movement in Spain with emphasises on theater and poetry and 2) Spanish Determinism. Texts will be determined by the specific interests by the students and instructors. Students will be expected to research at least one major text per unit, in addition to reading excerpts and selected passages from major works.

SPAN-4043. Twentieth Century Spanish Culture and Texts

This course will examine the evolution of Spanish Culture and Texts in five stages: (1) the generation of 1898; (2) The Generation of 1927; (3) the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939); (4) the dictatorship (1939-1975); and (5) the makings of modern Spain (1975-date). The course will contain a research component and students will be expected to select and research specific topics.

SPAN-4123. Introduction to Latino Literature and Culture in the United States

This course will provide students with a survey of the major literary works and themes characterizing Latino literary production in the United States. Particular attention will be given to the historical, social, and cultural context of this literature. Theoretical concepts such as linguistic assimilation, location, acculturation/transculturation, alienation, silence, authority and memory as they inform Latino literary texts will be explored throughout this course.

SPAN-4153. Franco's Dictatorship: Culture and Texts

The year 1939 marked the end of the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of Francisco Franco's 36-year dictatorship. During this period, Spanish authors faced censorship and oppression as they were strictly controlled by the government. As a result, students will study: a.) the historico-political and cultural aspects of the Spanish Civil War and postwar Spain b.) read and analyze postwar Spanish novels and examine their political resistance c.) become aware of the overt censorship authors were confronted with, and d.) trace the literary movements such as tremendismo, Objectivism, Social Realism, and the New Novel . All the lectures and discussions are conducted in the target language.

SPAN-4603. Special Topics

The content of this course changes from year to year to reflect the special strengths of faculty and the particular needs of students.

SPAN-4663. Don Quijote

SPAN 4663 offers a close reading in Spanish of Cervantes' modern novel Don Quijote de la Mancha. During the semester students will become familiar with the historical, literary and political contexts of the novel, explore the connections between the novel's author and its main character, study the influence of Don Quijote on other literary works, examine the concept of the 'modern novel', and reflect on the relativity of madness. Classes will involve both lectures and discussions in the target language.

SPAN-4713. Twentieth Century Spanish American Short Story

This course offers an overview of the contemporary Spanish American short story through the discussion and analysis of some of its most representative literary texts. We will study the evolution of the short story as a literary genre from its first manifestations in Latin America towards the end of the nineteenth century until the present, paying particular attention to the themes, stylistic and technical features, and literary and historical contexts that help give life to each text.

SPAN-4723. Latin American Women's Literature

This course offers an overview of the contribution made by women writers to the corpus of Spanish American literature. Through the reading and analysis of some of the most representative literary texts of the narrative, poetic and dramatic genres, and taking into consideration the contexts of their times, we will examine the topics of feminism, history, politics, sexuality, national identity and society as expressed by these women authors.

SPAN-4813. Colonial Spanish American Culture and Texts

This course will focus on the culture of the Conquest and the Colonial periods as reflected in selected Spanish American texts. The culture and texts of 16th and 17th centuries Spain will be compared with the culture and texts of 16th and 17th centuries Spanish America, with particular emphasis on the Spanish American Baroque period.

SPAN-4823. Spanish-American Literature - From Modernism to the Present

This course will focus on Spanish-American literature from Modernism to the present, beginning with the literature of the Mexican Revolution Period and progressing through the literature of the Boom and post-Boom eras.

SPAN-4833. Nineteenth Century Spanish American Culture and Texts

In this course we will study 1) the Independence period with its emphasis on Literature and Nationalism; 2) Romanticism and its relationship to nature; and 3) social changes as seen through the culture and texts of 19th century Spanish America. Emphasis will be placed on modernismo, perhaps the first Spanish American cultural movement to be exported back to Spain.

SPAN-4843. Twentieth Century Spanish American Culture and Texts

The many stories of 20th century Spanish America will be told through the study of 20thcentury drama, beginning with the period of Social Realism and followed by in-depth study of some of the most representative works that characterize the political drama movement in Spanish America.

SPAN-4923. Collective Memory, Culture and Texts in Argentina (HMRT)

This course will explore the connections between collective memory, history and culture in Argentina. It explores the cultural production of the post-dictatorship Process of National Reorganization (1976-1983) through essays, fiction, and film. These texts and films reconstruct not only history but also those identities denied by official history. We will define concepts such as official history, Other History, and collective memory in order to understand the discursive fields from which history and memory are reconstructed.

SPAN-4996. Honours Thesis

In this course, one or more faculty member(s) of the Spanish Section will supervise the writing of an Honours thesis by an Honours student. This course is recommended for students who wish to proceed to a Masters Degree in Spanish. It offers an additional 6 ch in Spanish to the traditional 48ch honours program. It is recommended, but not compulsory.