Dominican University

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Spanish


Courses | Employment

Majors/Minors

Major Requirements

  1. Thirty-two semester hours in advance of Spanish 111, including 245 and/or 246, 301, 320, 380 and/or 381; 390 and/or 391.
  2. A minimum of one half the courses in the major must be completed at Dominican.
  3. Graduating seniors must take an oral interview patterned on the ACTFL guidelines unless they have had a similar interview to complete requirements for the School of Education, in which case those results must be filed with the discipline director.

Minor Requirements

  1. A minimum of 24 semester hours beyond Spanish 111. 
  2. A minimum of one half of the courses in the minor must be completed at Dominican.

Madrid Chamber of Commerce Certificate
The Spanish division offers the opportunity to earn a certificate from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce after successful completion of Spanish 304.


Courses


101. ELEMENTARY SPANISH I (4)
This course introduces students to the Spanish language by listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish in a cultural context. Through a study of elementary Spanish grammar and vocabulary, students will develop a basic proficiency in all language skills.

102. ELEMENTARY SPANISH II (4)
This course continues to develop skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing Spanish in a cultural context.
Prerequisite: Spanish 101 or equivalent

111. INTERMEDIATE SPANISH (4)
This course reinforces and builds upon basic skills in Spanish through grammar review, short readings and compositions, conversational practice and, using videos and audio programs, practice in comprehension.
Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or equivalent

Advanced Language Courses

211. COMMUNICATING IN SPANISH (4)
This course is structured to continue the development of the four skills, with emphasis on written and spoken communication. The reading dimension will make extensive use of contemporary materials.
Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or equivalent.

231. HISPANIC IDENTITY AND LANGUAGE (4)
This course addresses the question of Hispanic cultural and social identity through the understanding of Latin America as a common reference to all Latin cultures.  This analysis of Latin American history, culture and society, designed for Hispanic students, includes the study of Spanish language as the main instrument to perceive and express the Latin world.  This course includes an off-campus service learning experience.
This course will satisfy the multicultural core requirement.

301. ADVANCED GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION (3)
Development of writing skills with emphasis on the complexities of structure and idioms; composition techniques; review of grammar.
Prerequisites: Spanish 245 or 246 or consent of instructor

302. ADVANCED DISCUSSION (3)
Development of increased fluency in spoken language in a variety of forms—conversations, team projects, reports, panels, etc. The class will focus on relevant contemporary materials contained in short stories, films, magazine and newspaper articles, videos and television programs.
Prerequisite: Spanish 301 or consent of instructor

Civilization and Culture Courses

245. INTRODUCTION TO SPAIN (4)
Survey of the significant aspects of the history and culture of Spain and its contributions to Western civilization. Prerequisite: Spanish 211 or 231 or consent of instructor


246. INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH AMERICA (4)
Historical and cultural background of individual countries in Spanish America. Study of contemporary cultural issues and institutions
Prerequisite: Spanish 211 or 231 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the multicultural core requirement.

Professional Courses
 
304. PROFESSIONAL SPANISH (3)
Advanced study of written and oral Spanish as it applies to business and other professional careers. The course prepares students for the Madrid Chamber of Commerce Certification examination.
Prerequisite: Spanish 301

Literature Courses

320. INTRODUCTION TO HISPANIC LITERATURE (3)
The primary objective of this course is to teach students to read critically. Written texts will include selections from prose, fiction, both novel and short story, poetry, theatre and essay from Spanish and Spanish American literature. Students will be introduced to Spanish literary terminology and to the analysis of a variety of textual strategies.
Prerequisite: Spanish 301 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the literature core area requirement.

380. PENINSULAR LITERATURE I (3)
This course will study Hispanic literature written in Spain from its origins in the 12th century, to the end of what is known as “The Golden Age,” including the Renaissance and the Baroque in Spanish letters. These readings will cover all literary genres and will focus both on the artistic value of the works and on their reflection of the cultural and socio-political reality of their respective periods.
Prerequisite: Spanish 320 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the literature core area requirement.

381. PENINSULAR LITERATURE II (3)
This course will study Hispanic literature written in Spain from the Enlightenment in the 18th century to the beginning of the 21st century. These readings will cover all literary genres and will focus both on the artistic value of the works and on their reflection of the cultural and socio-political reality of their respective periods.
Prerequisite: Spanish 320 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the literature core area requirement.

390. LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE I (3)
This course will study Latin American literature during the colonial period, with some reference to Pre-Columbian documents. Chronicles of the Indies as well as all other genres cultivated in Latin America until the moment of independence will be covered. These readings will focus both on the artistic value of the works and on their reflection of the cultural and socio-political reality of their respective periods and countries.
Prerequisite: Spanish 320 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the literature core area requirement.

391. LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE II (3)
This course will study Latin American literature beginning with the independence of these countries from Spain, in the early 19th century, until the present moment. These readings will cover all literary genres and will focus both on the artistic value of the works and on their reflections of the cultural and socio-political reality of their respective periods and countries.
Prerequisite: Spanish 320 or consent of instructor
This course will satisfy the literature core area requirement.

Other Courses


299. APPLIED FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPONENT (1)
A project in Spanish directly related to another non-Spanish course in which the student is currently enrolled.
Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or equivalent; approval of Spanish discipline director and the instructor of the related course
Course may be taken for credit more than once.

399. DIRECTED STUDY (1-4)
This option is to be selected only when absolutely necessary (i.e., the student has already taken all courses offered that semester or there is a conflict in the schedule that cannot be resolved otherwise).
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing with consent of instructor

450. INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)
Prerequisite Senior standing, consent of instructor

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member.  This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Employment


Become part of today’s global setting as you develop language skills and an understanding of the cultures that speak Spanish. Expand your opportunities with a second major or a minor.

Employment:
  • Proficiency in Spanish opens doors in every field including law
  • Health-care
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Business
  • Government
  • Communications
  • Library and information science
  • Management
  • Travel
Employers:
  • Corporations
  • Financial institutions
  • Foreign Service
  • Colleges and Universities
  • Cultural institutions
  • Travel businesses
  • Publishers
  • Government
  • Not-for-profits