Requirements and Curriculum
Note: This information reflects the 2007-08 course catalog.
Requirements
Required for a major
Nine courses, starting at 201 or above, including 345 and 346; either 450 or 460; plus additional hours above 300; language immersion experience. Students interested in teaching should see the education department for secondary minor requirements.
Recommended supporting courses for students majoring in Spanish
Courses in Latin American history; courses in another modern or classical language; courses in linguistics.
Required for a minor
Five courses, starting at 201 or above, including 345; language immersion experience.
Required for a second teaching area
Twenty-four hours including 16 hours above 202; language immersion experience. This is an Iowa licensure designation. Please consult website of the state in which you are planning to teach.
Language immersion experience
For majors, a minimum of three months of academic study in a country where Spanish is an official language. For minors, at least three weeks of academic study or one January term of study in such a country, although a semester is strongly recommended. Those preparing to teach must complete at least three months of academic study in such a country. Program selection must be approved by the department for all majors and minors prior to departure. All majors and minors are encouraged to help maintain and advance their language skills by completing courses in the language during their final semesters at Luther.
Language Learning Center
The Modern Languages and Literatures department has a Language Learning Center in Main Building. Language students have access to computerized language learning materials, and to video study rooms where they may view prerecorded foreign language video cassettes or watch live international TV received by four satellite dishes. The Language Learning Center also provides language students with valuable work-study experiences related to their interest in languages.
Curriculum
101, 102 Elementary Spanish I, II 4, 4 hours
Introduction to the basic skills needed for communicating in Spanish. Stress on both oral and written forms. Some selected contemporary readings and presentation of essential grammar. Intended for those with no previous Spanish study. Prerequisite for 102: 101, or consent of instructor.
139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics Credit arr.
185 First-year Seminar 4 hours
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.
201 Intermediate Spanish 4 hours
This course is for students who have successfully completed at least one year of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Review of basic structures and vocabulary with introduction of new structures and vocabulary to increase proficiency in speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing. Prerequisite: 102 or equivalent.
202 Conversation and Listening Comprehension 4 hours
This is a course for students who have completed three semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Focus on developing speaking and oral comprehension skills, increasing proficiency in extended narration and dialogue and developing knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: 201 or equivalent. (S)
345 Composition and Advanced Grammar 4 hours
A course for students who have completed four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Focus on developing skills in writing and reading comprehension. Review and practice of advanced grammar functions. The course culminates in a research project. Prerequisite: 202, or consent of instructor. (S, R, W)
346 Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literature 4 hours
An introduction to the basic dramatic, narrative, and poetic forms of Hispanic literature utilizing representative works of Spanish and Spanish-American authors. The course will focus on critical approaches to literature, introduce bibliographic resources, and continue development of writing proficiency. Prerequisite: 345, or consent of instructor. (HEPT, S, W)
350 Practical and Professional Uses of Spanish 4 hours
A course for students of Spanish who desire further training in specific professional and practical contexts. Focus on Spanish for business and medical professionals. Development and assessment of writing and speaking skills in these contexts. May satisfy the language requirement for students who arrive with advanced proficiency. Prerequisite: 202. Offered alternate years. (Intcl, S, W)
395 Independent Study 1, 2, or 4 hours
450 Seminar in Spanish Peninsular Literature and Culture 4 hours
A seminar with rotating topics on Spanish peninsular literature and culture. Topics may include the Spanish Civil War, literature by Spanish women writers, the history of Spanish film, Golden Age Spanish literature, and others. Significant writing practice, including a research project. Assessment of speaking proficiency. May be repeated for credit up to three times under three different topics. Prerequisite: 346 or consent of instructor. (HE, Intcl, S, R, W)
460 Seminar in Latin American Literature and Culture 4 hours
A seminar with rotating topics on Latin American literature and culture. Topics may include the short story in Latin America, Latin American poetry, memory and political violence, Latin American women writers and the representation of Latin America in literature and film. Significant practice in writing, including a research project. Formal assessment of speaking skills. May be repeated up to three times for credit under three different topics. Prerequisite: 346 or consent of instructor. (HE, Intcl, S, R, W)
465 Latino Literature of the United States 4 hours
This course, offered in Spanish, explores the cultural history and current situation of U.S. Latinos and Hispanics. Students read and analyze short stories, novel, autobiographies, and poetry representative of Cuban-American, Puertorican, Mexican-American, Dominican-American, and other Latino authors with special emphasis on bilingualism, ethnicity, and gender in identity formation. Prerequisite: 346 or above. (HE, Intcl, S, R, W)
470 Issues in Film: Spain and Latin America 4 hours
This course will present important social and historical issues as portrayed in the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking film industry. Issues will include race and slavery, gender, dictatorship, and economic inequalities. In addition, students will compare film theories and techniques from the United States, Spain, and Latin America. Prerequisite: any literature course 346 or higher. (HE, Intcl, S, R, W)
485 Seminar Credit arr.
490 Senior Project 2 hours
A required course for Spanish majors who choose to do their senior projects in Spanish. Review of research methods and MLA-style documentation appropriate for reseach papers on topics in Spanish language and linguistics, Hispanic cultures and literatures, second language acquisition and language pedagogy. Weekly seminar meetings to discuss research projects. Periodic assessment of speaking skills in Spanish, including a formal presentation of project at end of term. Prerequisites: 346 and senior status.
493 Senior Honors Project 4 hours
A year-long independent research project. Applications are completed on the “Honors Program” form available at the registrar’s office, requiring the signatures of a faculty supervisor, the department head, the honors program director, and the registrar. Interdisciplinary projects require the signatures of two faculty supervisors. The project must be completed by the due date for senior projects. The completed project is evaluated by a review committee consisting of the faculty supervisor, another faculty member from the major department, and a faculty member from outside the major department. All projects must be presented publicly. Only projects awarded an “A-” or “A” qualify for “department honors” designation. The honors project fulfills the all-college senior project requirement. (S, R, W)
For courses on teaching Spanish in the elementary grades, see education.