Spanish and PortugueseSpanish 120- Elementary Spanish II
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 110 or permission of the course coordinator.
Spanish 120, the continuation of Spanish 110, is a second-semester elementary Spanish course. This course emphasizes the development of foundational reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills while exploring the rich cultural mosaic of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will participate in pair, small-group and whole-class activities that focus on meaningful and accurate communication skills in the target language.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 121- Elementary Spanish
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): A score of 380-440 on the SAT II or 285-383 on the online placement examination.
Spanish 121 is designed for students who have some prior experience in Spanish. It is an intensive elementary-level language course which in one semester covers the material studied over two semesters in Spanish 110 and Spanish 120. The course provides a quick-paced review of material normally covered in a first semester Spanish course and then proceeds to introduce new material so students will be prepared to take Spanish 130 during the subsequent semester.
As other Spanish courses, Spanish 121 emphasizes the development of foundational reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills while exploring the rich cultural mosaic of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will participate in pair, small-group and whole-class activities that focus on meaningful and accurate communication skills in the target language.
By the end of this course, students will be able to engage in simple conversation on familiar topics, talk about the past and the future, make comparisons, give commands, describe people and things in increasing detail, etc. Students will also develop reading and listening skills that will allow them to understand simple articles in Spanish as well as pick out pertinent information when listening to a native speaker.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 125- Spanish for the Medical Professions, Elementary II
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 110 or 115 or a score of 380-440 on the SAT II or 285-383 on the online placement examination.
Spanish 125 is a second-semester elementary Medical Spanish Language that continues to develop the fundamentals of practical Spanish, with a special focus on medical situations and basic medical terminology. In this course, particular attention will be given to developing speaking and listening skills, as well as cultural awareness. Students will be expected to participate in classroom activities such as role-plays based on typical office and emergency procedures in order to develop meaningful and accurate communication skills in the target language.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 130- Intermediate Spanish I
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 112, 120, 121 or 125 or a score of 450-540 on the SAT II or 384-453 on the online placement examination.
Spanish 130 is a first-semester intermediate-level language course that emphasizes the development of the four basic skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking skills) within a culturally based context. Class time will focus on communicative activities that combine grammatical concepts, relevant vocabulary, and cultural themes. Students will participate in pair, small-group and whole-class activities to practice linguistics skills in meaningful contexts. Major course goals include: the acquisition of intermediate-level vocabulary, the controlled use of the past tense, and the development of writing skills at a paragraph level with transitions.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 134- Intermediate Spanish I and II: Accelerated
Staff
See Timetable for times
Spring semester Prerequisite(s): Permit required from the course coordinator.
Spanish 134 is an intensive intermediate-level language course that covers the material presented in Spanish 130 and Spanish 140. The course emphasizes the development of the four canonical skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) within a culturally based context. Class time will focus on communicative activities that combine grammatical concepts, relevant vocabulary, and cultural themes. Students will participate in pair, small-group and whole-class activities to practice linguistics skills in a meaningful context. Major course goals include: the acquisition of intermediate-level vocabulary, the controlled use of the past tense and major uses of the subjunctive, and the development of writing skills.
During the spring semester, Spanish 134 is limited to those students who have satisfied the language requirement in another language.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 140- Intermediate Spanish II
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 130 or 135 or a score of 550-640 on the SAT II or 454-546 on the online placement examination.
Spanish 140, the continuation of Spanish 130, is a fourth-semester intermediate-level language course that emphasizes the development and integration of the four basic skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) while developing awareness and appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will participate in pair, small-group and whole-class activities to practice linguistics skills in meaningful contexts. Topics studied include the environment, the arts, social relations, and conflict and justice. Major course goals include the acquisition of intermediate-level vocabulary, the formulation of hypotheses, and the development of writing skills at a paragraph level with transitions.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 145- Spanish for the Medical Professions, Intermediate II
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 130 or 135 or a score of 550-640 on the SAT II or 454-546 on the online placement examination.
Offered through the Penn Language Center as the continuation of Spanish 135, Spanish 145 is a second-semester intermediate-level medical Spanish language course. This course emphasizes the development of the four basic skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and the acquisition of medical terminology. Students will be expected to participate in classroom activities such as role-plays based on typical office and emergency procedures in order to develop meaningful and accurate communication skills in the target language. Students will also review and acquire forms and structures useful both inside and outside the medical field.
Students who have previously studied Spanish must take the online placement examination.
Students who have completed SPANISH 140 or any SPANISH course above that level may not take SPANISH 145. Although these courses have different numbers, they are at the same level, and therefore students will not receive credit for SPANISH 145.
Students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish may not take basic level language courses (110-145) in the same language. Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 180- Spanish Conversation
Staff
La casa hispánica residents only.
Spanish 202- Advanced Spanish
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 140 or equivalent.
The purpose of this course is twofold: (a) to develop students' communicative abilities in Spanish, that is, speaking, listening, reading and writing, and (b) to increase their awareness and understanding of Hispanic cultures and societies. Homework and classroom activities are designed to help students build their oral proficiency, expand and perfect their knowledge of vocabulary and grammatical structures, improve their reading and writing skills, and develop their critical thinking abilities. The material for this class includes short stories, newspaper articles, poems, songs, cartoons, video clips and a novel, such as César Aira’s La villa. At the completion of this course students will feel confident discussing and debating a variety of contemporary issues (cultural and religious practices, family relationships, gender stereotypes, political events, immigration to the USA, etc.).
Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 205- Advanced Spanish for the Medical Professions
Prof. García-Serrano
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 140 or 145 or equivalent.
The goal of this course is to provide advanced practice in Spanish to those students who are interested in pursuing careers in the medical and healthcare fields. Through readings and authentic materials on contemporary health issues, for example, H1N1 influenza, comparative health care systems, obesity, “chagas” disease, etc., students will acquire the vocabulary and grammatical structures needed to discuss a wide array of topics pertaining to the health-related professions. Students will also gain awareness of those health care issues affecting the Hispanic/Latino patient. Oral and written presentations will complement topics covered in class.
Spanish 208- Business Spanish I
Prof. Lebaudy
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Spanish 140 or equivalent.
Spanish for Business I provides advanced-level language students with technical vocabulary and communicative skills covering business concepts as they apply to the corporate dynamics of the Spanish-speaking world, with a special emphasis on Latin America. Through readings, presentations, discussions, and video materials, we shall analyze those cultural aspects that characterize the business environment in the region as well as focus on economies and markets in light of their history, politics, resources and pressing international concerns.
Any questions about placement should be directed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 212- Advanced Spanish Grammar
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 202 or equivalent.
Spanish 212 is an advanced grammar course that emphasizes the acquisition of a solid knowledge of those major points of Spanish grammar. Through discussion and correction of assigned exercises, analysis of authentic readings, and contrastive study of Spanish and English syntax and lexicon, students will develop an awareness of the norms of standard Spanish with the aim of incorporating these features into their own oral and written linguistic production.
Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 215- Spanish for the Professions I
Staff
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 202 or equivalent.
Spanish for the Professions is designed to provide advanced-level language students with a wide-ranging technical vocabulary and the enhancement of solid communicative skills within the cultural context of several developing Latin American countries. Focusing on topics such as politics, economy, society, health, environment, education, science and technology, the class will explore the realities and underlying challenges facing Latin America. Through essays, papers, articles, research, discussions, case studies, and videotapes, we shall take an in-depth look at the dynamics of Latin American societies. The course will focus on--but not be restricted to-- Mexico, Cuba and Argentina.
Any questions about placement should be addressed to the directors of the Spanish language program.
Spanish 219- Texts and Contexts
Prof. Espòsito and Staff
Cross Cultural Analysis
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 202 or Spanish 212.
The primary aim of this course is to develop students' knowledge of the geographical, historical and cultural contexts in those regions where Spanish is used. At the same time that they are introduced to research techniques and materials available in Spanish, students strengthen their language skills through readings, class discussions, and frequent writing assignments. This course is designed to give students a broad understanding of Hispanic culture that will prepare them for upper-level course work and study abroad.
Spanish 223- Perspectives of Spanish and Latin American Literatures
Prof. García-Serrano and Staff
Arts & Letters Sector
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 202 or Spanish 212.
Literature from Spain and Latin America contains a wealth of information about language, history, and culture. The goal of this course is to help students develop skills to carefully read Spanish literary works while preparing them for upper-level courses and study abroad. We begin reviewing the main characteristics of various literary movements and of the four genres (narrative, poetry, theater, and essay). During the second part of the semester students become familiarized with a wide variety of theoretical approaches to the study of literature with the purpose of applying them to their own analytical writing. In the last part of the course students produce their own essays on a text chosen by them and based on research. Sample essays written by other students and included in the textbook will serve as models. Throughout the course students will have ample opportunities to hone their skills through the close reading and class discussion of varied and stimulating works by Miguel de Cervantes, Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez, Roberto Bolaño, etc.
Spanish 325-301- Introduction to Translation: Spanish < > English
Prof. Grabner Travis
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
In an increasingly globalized world, communication takes place not only in a face-to-face, verbal/aural fashion, but also in written form. And with international business and other types of collaboration growing, this means that documents written in one language frequently need to be available in multiple other languages. Thus, it can only be an advantage for multilingual speakers to also have the knowledge to translate documents between languages. This is not as straightforward a process as it might seem; just because someone speaks two languages does not automatically mean they will be able to effectively transfer the meaning of a written document from one language to the other. There are innumerable considerations to be taken into account in transferring meaning from one language to another.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students in Hispanic Studies to many of these considerations and to get them started on the road to mastering the art of communicating the same essential meaning in two different languages. This course is designed for students who already have a solid foundation in Spanish and English grammar. The course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of translating between English and Spanish, and offers a general review of any necessary grammar structures. It addresses important topics such as discourse strategies, register and mood, dialect, sociolect, genre, stylistic considerations, and cultural norms linked to written communication.
The course will offer intensive practice of the theoretical concepts studied across a range of writing genres, including fiction, academic/professional/technical writing, journalism and advertising, persuasive writing, and even subtitling of movies/videos. Class time will be spent discussing reading assignments, critiquing classmates’ work, and practicing shorter translation assignments. Although it is a writing-intensive course, class time will be spent primarily on discussion and interactive, collaborative activities.
Spanish 348-301- The World of Don Quijote
Prof. Velázquez
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
Announcing the results of a survey of a hundred of the world’s finest authors about the best work of fiction ever, the Nigerian writer Ben Okri declared “If there is one novel you have to read before you die, it is Don Quijote […], it has the most wonderful and elaborated story, yet it is simple.” The focus of this course will be the close reading and analysis of the two-part novel in its historical, literary, and artistic context in order to understand the complexity of Don Quijote’s world. We will investigate the relationship of history to fiction, storytelling to literacy, and discourse and action as well as address questions of the representation of seventeenth-century Spain’s diverse world which includes roadside inn sentimental prostitutes, memoir-writing galley slaves, generous bandits, recent Muslim converts from the Mediterranean and several moriscos (baptized Spaniards of Muslim descent) such as the anonymous translator of the work by the alleged original author, the Moorish historian Cide Hamete Benengeli and Ana Felix, exiled morisca and cross-dressing pirate. Course requirements include an in-class midterm, keeping a reading journal, oral presentations, take home final, and an independent research project.
Spanish 386-301- The Education of Female Desire: The Portrayal of Woman in Spanish literature
Prof. Pagán-Mattos
See Timetable for times
The view of the portrayal of woman in Spanish literature is usually described as moving between two extremes: a virginal saint or an insatiable demon with a strong sex drive. In this course we will consider the different literary approaches to these ideals through a focus on the representation and ideals concerning the formation and education of women. We will read texts from the 18^th century to the 20^th century, as well as texts written by women, such as /El sí de las niñas/ of Moratín, /La Regenta/ of Leopoldo Alas Clarín, /La casa de Bernarda Alba/ of Lorca, selections of poetry, to /Usos amorosos de la posguerra española /of Carmen Martín Gaite. We will also watch film selections.
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
Spanish 388-301- Fiction into Film: Spanish & Latin America
Prof. Guadalupe
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
This course focuses on how a literary work is transformed into cinematic form when the camera lens replaces the reader’s eye. We will analyze narrative as a common feature in media, the relations between verbal and visual language, and the impact of the written word and the film image. The study of the adaptation of the literary work into film and the comparative analysis of both texts will highlight the similarities and differences between literature and film, as well as question the possibilities and limitations of each art form. Literary and cinematic texts will be studied both as a means of artistic communication, paying close attention to the demands raised by the literary text for its visual translation, as well as a mirror and interpretation of the Hispanic historical, social, and cultural reality. Course includes readings of Spanish and Latin American literary works covering all genres (drama, short stories, novel) and periods, from the Renaissance to Modern times. For the cinematic counterparts, special emphasis is given to contemporary films from the 1980s to the present.
Spanish 388-401- Introduction to Spanish Cinema
Prof. Solomon
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
Spanish cinema has a rich but turbulent tradition that, until recently, occupied a marginal position within Film Studies departments in American universities. From the pioneering shorts of Segundo de Chomón —often nicknamed “the Spanish Méliès”— to the worldwide success of Pedro Almodóvar’s melodramatic and irreverent films that caricature contemporary (Spanish) culture, this course offers both a survey of Spanish film and an introduction to critical thought in the field of Film Studies. We analyze the trajectory of Spanish film beginning in its silent origins in the nineteenth century, passing through the censorship and ideology of the Francoist regime, and ending in the years of Spain’s progressive transition to democracy that leads us to the present-day status of Spanish cinema. Along the way, we supplement the shorts and feature-length films with a diverse selection of critical readings that present pertinent historical and cultural contexts, fundamental cinematic concepts, as well as current theoretical debates in Film Studies. We conclude the class by exploring new trends in cinematic productions including short digital cinema, recent developments in new media, and the rise in participatory cinema.
Over the course of the semester students will learn to discuss the technical and stylistic aspects of cinema while developing a theoretical language to think critically about the cultural and historical contexts of Spanish cinema. We interrogate the specificity of cinema as a means of representation (in comparison with literature) and we question the particularities of a cinema “made in Spain.”
Important Note: This course is cross-listed with Cinema Studies. Spanish students attend one general lecture in English on Tuesday and a recitation session in Spanish on Thursday.
Spanish 390-401- The Worlds of Jorge Luis Borges
Prof. Laddaga
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
Jorge Luis Borges is one of the two or three most important Latin American writers of the last century. His work is an indispensable point of reference to understand the arts in the region in the hundred years or so since his first publications. We will propose an in-depth study of his main works in relation to the writers and artists who influenced him and the ones that he influenced, and the historical world in which he lived.
Spanish 394-401- The “Boom” in Spanish American Literature
Prof. Knight
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
Spanish American narrative of the 1960s and 70s enjoyed unprecedented popular and critical success. A region that had previously garnered little literary attention suddenly began producing one international bestseller after another. What accounts for this explosion of interest? Who were the major writers of the boom generation? What themes and stylistic features distinguish their writing? In this course we will address these questions as we read important works of narrative fiction by Cortázar, Donoso, Fuentes, García Márquez, and Vargas Llosa. We will also read select works of literary criticism that shed light on the phenomenon of the boom.
Spanish 394-402- Power, Violence, & Literature in Contemporary Mexican Fiction
Prof. Montoya
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
This course is both an introduction to and an overview of Mexican narrative of the 20th century. It focuses on two recurring motives present in its most significant novels: violence and the consolidation of the National State. We will analyze how Mexican writers have maintained an ambiguous relationship --between criticism and fascination-- with the various forms of political violence that have marked their national contemporary history. The course will have a double orientation. On the one hand, it will provide students with an understanding of the historical and cultural context of Mexico throughout the 1900s and early 2000s. On the other, it will offer them a panorama of Mexican literature, combining canonical and non-canonical works with recently emerging authors. Our point of departure will be the novela de la Revolución, and we will end with the contemporary images of the narco and new politicians. During the semester, students will acquire a comprehensive picture of one of Latin America’s most fascinating literary traditions
Spanish 395-401- Hispanic Theater
Prof. Guadalupe
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
A comparative study of Golden Age classical drama and contemporary Latin American theater within the cultural context of each period. In this course, we will read plays by diverse authors such as Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, Ruiz de Alarcón, Calderón, Rodolfo Usigli, José Triana, Osvaldo Dragún, Griselda Gambaro, Egon Wolff, René Marqués, and others.
Spanish 396-401- Goddesses, Nuns, & Warriors: Women in Mexican History
Prof. García-Serrano
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
This course surveys the history of Mexican women from the pre-Colombian period to the twenty-first century. Students will learn about women’s roles in Aztec society and religion, the dynamic convent life during the colonial period, the participation of women in the Mexican Revolution and the Zapatista movement, and the so-called “feminicide” in Ciudad Juárez. Also, we will evaluate the most recent research conducted on iconic figures such as La Malinche, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and La Llorona. Our approach will be interdisciplinary, drawing from historical, literary, sociological, and cinematographic sources. The goal of the course is not only to ascertain the weight of the past on the present but also the ways in which the present reshapes the past.
Spanish 396-402- Latin American Arts in the 1960s
Prof. Laddaga
See Timetable for times
Prerequisite(s): Spanish 219 or Spanish 223.
The 1960s was a decade of extraordinary cultural vitality in Latin America. It was also a decade of febrile political activity, fueled by a novel emerging youth culture. We will study the works of some of the crucial writers, filmmakers and artists of the period (Julio Cortázar, Clarice Lispector, Glauber Rocha, Pino Solanas, etc.) and situate them in the context of the historical, political, and cultural processes of the age.