Hispanic Studies
Department Chair: Roy Ketchum
Faculty: Eleonora Bertranou, Patricia Bolaños, Bruce Campbell, Shirley Cardozo, Nelsy Echávez Solano, Marietta Franulic, Tania Gómez, Christina Hennessy, Roy Ketchum, Marina Martín, Elena Sánchez Mora, Sarah Schaaf, Corey Shouse
The study of another language is an adventure, an exploration into the workings of minds both like and unalike our own. As human minds mold language, so language also molds human minds. A language is therefore not only a means by which we represent our thoughts; it is also a medium that presents the world to us in a certain way. When we learn a new language, we learn to see differently - we acquire a new perspective from which to view both ourselves and the world. In the literature of another language we encounter a culture revealed, extended and tested by its most critical and inventive thinkers, who use the language to explore their society's limitations and possibilities. Because the study of language liberates us from bondage to a single cultural perspective and allows us to converse with members of another culture, it has from the times of the ancient Romans been considered central to a liberal education.
Students of Hispanic Studies seek to understand an intricate contemporary culture and explore the literature and traditions that give it life. The major in Hispanic Studies, accordingly, consists of a balanced program of language, literature, culture, and linguistics, and includes one semester in the colleges' semester study abroad programs in Chile, Guatemala, and Spain.
A major in Hispanic Studies is often interdisciplinary in nature and prepares students for a wide variety of careers, both in the United States and around the world. Some students pursue careers in teaching or go on to graduate school in their field, others enter those professions in which applicants with a broad liberal background are sought. Beyond that, the linguistic competence associated with such a major is increasingly of interest to employers in a growing number of business, service, and government fields. As a result, students often choose to double major.
Hispanic Studies Courses Taught Abroad
All the following courses count towards the major or minor in Hispanic Studies.
Viña del Mar, Chile (Fall)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 315 | Spanish Conversation and Composition I Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 316 | Spanish Conversation and Composition II Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 370CD | History of Chile (Abroad) | 4 |
| HISP 363 | Advanced Spanish Abroad (Meets the linguistics requirement) | 4 |
| SA 370 Direct enrollment courses | 4 | |
Segovia, Spain (Spring)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 324 | History, Society and Spanish Cinema Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 356AA | Spanish National Tradition, Modernity and Cultural Identity Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 359 | Spain and the European Union Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 363 | Advanced Spanish Abroad (Meets the linguistics requirement) | 4 |
| HISP 396 | Myths and Legends in Times of Globalization Abroad | 4 |
| SA 398 | International Field Experience | 1-4 |
Valladolid, Spain (Summer)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 211 | Intermediate Spanish | 4 |
Otavalo, Ecuador (Summer)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 317 | Intensive Spanish Composition and Conversation Abroad | 4 |
| HISP 318 | Intensive Spanish Composition and Conversation II Abroad | 4 |
HISP 111 Beginning Spanish I (4 Credits)
An introduction to the Spanish language that provides a foundation for the four language skills: listening, speaking, writing and reading, along with an introduction to different aspects of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking peoples. The emphasis of this course is on promoting language proficiency. Vocabulary and grammatical structures will be the basis for the development of these skills in a meaningful, effective and creative manner.
Prerequisites: None
Equivalent courses: HISP 111Z
HISP 112 Beginning Spanish II (4 Credits)
The second in a series of three lower-level language courses. Emphasis remains on promoting language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with background information on the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. Class time is devoted mostly to the development of listening and speaking skills.
Prerequisites: HISP Placement Exam with a score of 165 or (HISP 111 or HISP 111Z)
Equivalent courses: HISP 200
HISP 133 Culture and Social Difference in the Hispanic World (4 Credits)
An introduction to the United States as part of the Hispanic world. Students will examine how gender, race and ethnicity have been constructed in different societies, contexts, and time periods within the Hispanic world (United States, Hispanic America, and Spain). Student will also explore the ways in which gender, race, and ethnicity influence our individual identities and our understanding our place in society and the world. Special attention will be paid to the role of migration, language, and social norms. Though the successful completion of this course students will be able to identify factors that shape self-conception in a variety of contexts and settings and will be able to apply this knowledge to an analysis of their own culturally-constructed identity and their relationship to their local, national, and international communities. This course requires students to think, listen, speak, and write about gender, race and ethnicity inside the classroom and in participation in extracurricular events. aught in English.
Prerequisites: None
Attributes: CSD: Identity (CI)
HISP 211 Intermediate Spanish (4 Credits)
The third in a series of three lower-level language courses. Emphasis remains on promoting language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with information on the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples. Students will expand on vocabulary and grammatical structures presented in 111 and 112 to communicate meaningfully, effectively, and with an increasing amount of fluency and creativity. Fulfills the Global Language requirement.
Prerequisites: HISP Placement Exam with a score of 316 or (HISP 112 or HISP 112Z)
Equivalent courses: HISP 200, HISP 211A, HISP 211CA, HISP 211MA, HISP 211PA, HISP 211PB, HISP 211PC, HISP 211PD, HISP 211TA, HISP 211Z
Attributes: Global Language Proficiency
HISP 211PA Intermediate Spanish I - Spain (3 Credits)
Fulfills HISP 211.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: XXXX 67
Equivalent courses: HISP 211, HISP 211A, HISP 211CA, HISP 211MA, HISP 211PB, HISP 211PC, HISP 211PD, HISP 211TA, HISP 211Z
Attributes: Global Language Proficiency
HISP 230 Spanish for Success (4 Credits)
Students in this course will apply previous Spanish language learning to new contexts. Exploration of cultures of the Spanish-speaking world will provide content for communicative and collaborative activities. Review of grammatical structures and vocabulary building will be embedded into speaking, reading and writing tasks. Students will identify an area of academic interest and practice retrieving and evaluating relevant Spanish language resources. The course is designed as a Spanish language learning community aimed at opening new perspectives and promoting success using Spanish at the College level and beyond.
Prerequisites: HISP 211 or HISP 211Z or HISP 200 or HISP Placement Exam with a score of 465 or HISP 211A or HISP 211PA or HISP 211PB or HISP 211PC or HISP 211PD or HISP 211MA or HISP 211CA
Equivalent courses: HISP 212, HISP 212Z, HISP 212ZZ, HISP 230CA, HISP 230PA, HISP 230PB, HISP 230TA
Attributes: Global Language Proficiency
HISP 271 Individual Learning Project (1-4 Credits)
Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.
Prerequisites: None
HISP 273 Speaking and Writing About: Human Rights in Latin America (4 Credits)
The main goals of this course are to improve speaking and writing in Spanish in preparation for upper division courses in Hispanic Studies. Along with a development of reading strategies students also improve their listening comprehension and oral expression. The course provides a systematic review of Spanish grammatical structures and includes practice in oral expression through oral presentations and discussions. The materials incorporated are thematic to support the designation of Justice focus. The course explores justice and human rights in Latin America specially those of its indigenous peoples with respect to historical origins and their contemporary conditions throughout the region.
Prerequisites: You must take HISP 212 OR 230 prior to taking HISP 273. You must take INTG 100 or 205 prior to taking a Thematic Focus Course. You must take a Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI) course prior to or at the same time as Thematic Focus Courses.
Attributes: Global Language Proficiency, Thematic Focus - Justice
HISP 274 Speaking and Writing about: People and Ideas on the Move (4 Credits)
The course will explore the idea that movement, viewed as a sociocultural concept, is the mechanism that causes historical tensions between evolution and involution. In this context, evolution is the result of progressive movement whereas involution is the outcome of regressive or total lack of movement. Based on this premise, the course will focus on studying “movements” in Spain and Latin America and will include two large, structural blocks of analysis: the movement of ideas through time (schools of thought, artistic and cultural movements, etc.) and the movement of people in space (voluntary displacements for leisure and forced displacements for economic, political or environmental reasons).
Prerequisites: You must take HISP 212 OR 230 prior to taking HISP 274. You must take INTG 100 or 205 prior to taking a Thematic Focus Course. You must take a Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI) course prior to or at the same time as Thematic Focus Courses.
Attributes: Thematic Focus - Movement
HISP 279A Media Literacy (4 Credits)
The main goals of this course are to improve speaking and writing in Spanish inpreparation for upper division courses in Hispanic Studies. Along with a developmentof reading strategies students also improve their listening comprehension and oralexpression. The course provides a systematic review of Spanish grammaticalstructures and includes practice in oral expression through oral presentations anddiscussions. The materials incorporated are thematic to support the designation ofTruth focus. The course explores issues and analytical strategies of media literacy inthe Hispanic world.
Prerequisites: You must take INTG 100 or 205 prior to taking a Thematic Focus Course. You must take a Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI) course prior to or at the same time as Thematic Focus Courses.
Attributes: Thematic Focus - Truth
HISP 313 Spanish for Advanced Speakers (2 Credits)
This course is designed specifically for native/heritage/immersion speakers of Spanish, with day-to-day oral proficiency, but little to no formal training in spoken and written Spanish. It aims to familiarize student with Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and other linguistic topics as applied to the development of listening, reading, speaking, and writing language skills. It emphasizes reading and writing about well-known and authentic texts of varying genres and formats from the Spanish speaking world. Prerequisites: To enroll in this course, students must take an advanced placement test before the beginning of the semester.
Prerequisites: None
HISP 335 Spanish Cultural Identity (4 Credits)
How does religion shape a nation, a family, and an ethnic group? How does language interact with national identity in a territory marked by cultural and linguistic diversity? How can food, music, folklore and art mark a culture? This course examines the shaping of the Spanish nation by studying the ethnic, social and linguistic diversity, within its historical and political context. Topics may include family, gender, social class, etc.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Truth
HISP 336 Latin American Culture (4 Credits)
This course examines the political, social, cultural and historical development of the Spanish-speaking Americas. In geographic terms, the course includes countries of North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. Historically, the course covers the period prior to the Conquest, the Colonial era, the emergence of national identities, and current cultural trends, issues and conflicts. The primary texts of the course—whether these are literary, visual, performative, or ideological in character—will be approached in an interdisciplinary fashion that combines socio-historical, political and literary critical perspectives. Offered in Fall.
Attributes: Social World (SW), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 337 Latino Identity in the United States (4 Credits)
The diverse population of Latino groups traces its origins to a variety of countries and their experience in the United States is quite varied. This course will examine the socio-historical background and economic and political factors that converge to shape Latino/Hispanic identities in the United States. This class will explore issues of race, class, and gender within the Latino community in the United States (Chicanos, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Central and South American). Offered in Spring.
Prerequisites: You must take HISP 312, 313 or 316 prior to taking HISP 337. Before taking a Cultural and Social Difference: Systems Courses (CS) you first must complete the following Integrations requirements; Learning Foundations (LF), Theological Encounter (TE), and Cultural and Social Difference: identity (CI).
Attributes: CSD: Systems (CS)
HISP 340 Latin America: Conquest and Colonization (4 Credits)
This course examines the origins of regional literature in the period of the Spanish Conquest and colonization of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. Representative literary texts—encompassing genres such as essay, chronicle and biography among others—will serve as the basis for a study of the historical development of regional literary traditions out of the cultural conflicts and transformations of the colonial period.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Truth
HISP 341 Faith, Irony and Madness in the Spanish Golden Age (4 Credits)
This course will study dominant themes and trends in 16th- and 17th century Spain with a concentration on either Spanish poetry, prose, or national theater. The course may include all three genres and will be taught within the context of Hispanic and Western culture. Authors may include Garcilaso, Góngora, Cervantes, María de Zayas y Sotomayor, Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina and Calderón. An exploration of Spanish literature throughout the 16 and 17th centuries within its historic and cultural context. It may explore some of the following themes: irony and humor in the picaresque novels; morality and madness in Cervantes’ Don Quijote de la Mancha; imagery of women and authorship in poetic mysticism; sainthood and violence.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 342 Latin America: Autonomy, Nation and Identity (4 Credits)
This course examines the emergence and development of regional and national literary traditions in the Spanish-speaking Americas following Independence from Spain. Works from a variety of genres, such as poetry, essay and the novel, will be used to explore important aesthetic, economic and political manifestations of the nineteenth-century quest for autonomy and development in Latin America.
HISP 344 Progress, Revolution and Freedom in Spain (4 Credits)
An introduction to Spanish literature from 1700 to the turn of the twentieth century. This course studies some of the most representative literary works of neo-classicism, romanticism, costumbrismo, realism and naturalism, and examines the historical and cultural backgrounds of the texts under study. This course explores the philosophical and political ideals of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Realism through its literature and other cultural expressions. Students will examine the challenges posed by reformation dreams in Spanish society and the resistance to change. Some possible themes may include: gender and human rights, conflicts between faith and reason, progress and tradition, church and state.
HISP 345 Modern Latin America through Literature (4 Credits)
A study of major themes and works of contemporary narrative, criticism, poetry. This course examines the historical background of the texts under study as well as the emerging literary and cultural debates surrounding them.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP 316 or HISP 313 or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1 or HISP 273
Attributes: Human Experience (HE)
HISP 349 (Re)Figuring Contemporary Spain: Power and Social Change (4 Credits)
An exploration of the major themes and authors of this period of Spanish literature, including representative works from the Generation of 1898, the Generations of 1914, ’27, & ’50, los novisimos, current authors, literature by women. Works read in their historical and cultural context. This course examines the historical and social events that shape Spain’s contemporary culture through its literary production. Students will employ an interdisciplinary approach and examine other cultural mediums including: film, literature, music and art to explore themes like: the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath; the transition to democracy; exile and (im)migration; social protest and terrorism; female space; gender (de)construction; love, sex and moral taboos.
HISP 350 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (4 Credits)
A survey of general linguistics as it applies to Spanish with attention to the major areas of the field-Spanish phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics and language acquisition. Offered every year. Offered in Fall.
Attributes: Social World (SW), Thematic Encounter3 - Movement
HISP 353 Dilemmas of Representation and Cultural Awakening (4 Credits)
Recent movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo point to the lack of representation in politics and the economy as well as marginalization and oppression based on race, ethnicity, sex, gender, social class, etc. This is neither a new struggle in the US nor in the Hispanic world. Similar movements, for example, led to the wars of independence in the Americas and the rest of the Global South. This seminar therefore seeks to examine the power dynamics related to race, ethnicity, class, language, sex, and gender in the Hispanic world by connecting anti-colonial and anti-racism to the theories and rhetoric of decoloniality.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 316
Equivalent courses: HISP 355L
Attributes: CSD: Systems (CS)
HISP 354A Bilingualism in Schools & Society: Language, Identity & Policy (4 Credits)
Who is bilingual? How is bilingualism evidenced in schools and society in a globalized world? What are the politics behind people's language choices in a bilingual community? What are the social and conversational attributes of Spanglish? This course is designed to raise awareness of the complexities and benefits of bilingualism through the study of Spanish/ English bilingualism in the US. Taught in Spanish with readings in Spanish and English.
Attributes: Social World (SW), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 354B Applied Linguistics Seminar: Language Planning, Translation, Forensics and Bilingualism (4 Credits)
For many people Applied Linguistics is only about second language acquisition. However, this is not all that Applied Linguistics is about. This course aims to discuss Spanish Applied Linguistic topics such as language planning and policy, translation and interpretation, forensics, bilingualism, among others. In addition to learning about the major areas of applied linguistics, students are expected to develop critical reading abilities, assessing the nature of the evidence in support of various theoretical positions and research methodologies. This course will be taught in Spanish. Additional prerequisite recommended: HISP 350
Attributes: Social World (SW), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 354C Seminar on the Pragmatics of the Spanish Language (4 Credits)
Attributes: Social World (SW), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 354D HISPANIC LINGUISTICS (4 Credits)
HISP 355B Tradition and Dissidence in Politics and Gender (4 Credits)
This course examines the intersection between 20th century Spanish literature and the Civil War, the Franco dictatorship, the transition to democracy, and the societal issues related to gender roles. It will explore the various ways of critiquing dominant political and societal systems in Spain and will analyze literature from the dissident perspective.
HISP 355C The Legacy of Memory and Testimony in Post-dictatorship Latin America (4 Credits)
This course covers the experience of political violence in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay during the military dictatorships of the 1970¿s and 1980¿s. Through a wide range of literature on storytelling and testimony as well as poetry, fiction, memoirs and letters this seminar examines the (re)constructions of the past and memory in relation to political identity and resistance. Analysis will focus on the contrasting stories of different nationals, men and women, militant and non-militant victims of state terrorism, exiles and political prisoners. Readings will include established authors like Juan Gelman, Luisa Valenzuela, Ariel Dorfman, Liliana Hecker, Hernán Valdés, Miguel Bonasso as well as memoirs and collective pieces by prisoners and victims such as Nosotras, presas políticas; Chacabuco y otros centros de detención; Oblivion; and Memorias del calabozo.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 355D Latin American Literature & Culture Through Theater (4 Credits)
This course will offer an introduction to contemporary literary discourses in Latin America, focusing specifically on short story and drama genres. Beginning with representative selections from central twentieth century literary movements, students will examine the evolution of a theater discourse that explores national identity, human rights discourses and the recovery of historical and mythical memories. The readings will be studied and discussed in Spanish and in their literary, cultural and political contexts. Supplementary readings --all in Spanish-- will be suggested or provided when appropriate.
HISP 355G Desire & Passion in Contemporary Spanish Literature (4 Credits)
The longing for the unattainable has motivated an unflagging pursuit to satiate an appetite or emotional need. These deeply stirring and, at times, ungovernable ardors have been the subject of many of Spain’s greatest literary works and the focus of this course. We will examine the desires and passions that move characters and reflect the state of contemporary Spain. We will study selected works of poetry, theatre and narrative and focus on the nature of Spanish society and culture.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Truth
HISP 355H Across the Ocean: Contemporary Spanish and Latin American Culture (4 Credits)
This is an advanced course focusing on Contemporary Hispanic literature and culture at both sides of the Ocean. We will explore major historical events that took place in Spain and Latin America during the 20th and 21st centuries. Special attention will fall on the Avant Gard movements. In this course, we approach social, existential and ethical issues through a brief selection of literary texts, paintings and films. Authors such as Miguel de Unamuno, Antonio Machado, Juan Rulfo, Rosa Montero and Ana Merino, together with artists such as Salvador Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera will guide our learning and visions. Through analysis of the selected class-material, we intend to broaden knowledge on Contemporary Hispanic culture and at the same time strengthen our critical thinking.
HISP 355I Gender, Sexuality, Dictatorship, and Democracy in Spanish Literature (4 Credits)
This course will examine the recent history of Spain through novels. We will analyze shifting cultural norms such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2005, and current political challenges facing Spain’s current administration such as the 2017 Catalan independence vote. Modern Spain has moved from being a repressive dictatorship under the leadership of Francisco Franco (from 1939-1976) to a constitutional monarchy (with both a monarch and a prime minister) that is a member of the European Union. During the Franco regime, books were censored, open criticism of the government could be dangerous, homosexuality and divorce were illegal, and women were discouraged from working outside the home. The transition back to democratic rule brought with it a new openness to speak explicitly about issues facing modern Spain and a sudden shift towards more liberal social positions. This course will examine novels written both during and after the Franco dictatorship as a means to examine Spain’s history and rapidly changing culture. Authors examined will include Mercè Rodoreda (La plaza del diamante), Rosa Montero (Amado amo), Imma Monsó (Todo un carácter) and Lucía Etxebarria (Beatriz y los cuerpos celestes).
HISP 355J Subversive Female Spirituality in Texts by Mexican Women Writers (4 Credits)
Through the reading of texts by Mexican women authors, this course highlights female non-fictional characters who subverted the way in which women expressed their spirituality within a Catholic-dominant society. It can fulfill either the Culture or the Literature requirement of the Hispanic Studies major.
Attributes: Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 355K WEAVING POETIC CONNECTIONS (4 Credits)
Inspired by socially engaged poetry, this course will be conducted as a collaborative poetry writing workshop. We will read poems by established names that may include Ernesto Cardenal (Nicaragua), Juan Gelman (Argentina), Pablo Neruda (Chile), Julia Esquivel, Rosa Chávez, Humberto Ak'abal (Guatemala), and Ruperta Bautista (Mexico). We will also read and listen to poetic voices that emerge from unexpected places and name what has been silenced. By writing our own poems in Spanish, we will explore poetry as a practice for claiming the voice. The course will be divided between study of published Latin American poems and the development of our own poetic writing practices. We will read, write and critique poems as a means of articulating our connections to the world we inhabit. Poets and non-poets, shy people and extroverts are all invited to become active participants in the making of a Spanish language collaborative poetry workshop.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP 316 or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1
HISP 356AA Spanish National Tradition, Modernity and Cultural Identity Abroad (4 Credits)
This course provides an interdisciplinary approach to Spanish Culture. Beginning with a historical overview of Spain and its mythic foundation it will examine the nature and sociopolitical aspects of Spanish culture. It will also focus on the ways individuals, families and communities express themselves, their beliefs and their values within their own culture. Attention will be given to political and cultural factors underlying ethnic and nationalist sentiments within the framework of the European Union. The course explores the roots of Spain’s national identity in its three original cultures, Jewish, Muslim, and Christian as well as the European intellectual and cultural background. This class meets the culture requirement for the Hispanic Studies major.
HISP 356AB Latin America in Globalization (4 Credits)
This course will examine Globalization as it is perceived and experienced from the point of view of Latin America. The course will focus primarily on representations of lived experience. Questions related to how a diverse range of people from/in Latin America imagine and carve out their own place in a globalized world will be considered through the study of essay, narrative and film. The course will make use of interdisciplinary approaches and will be organized around thematic units (such as migrations, environment, narcotráfico, maquiladoras, tourism, and networks of solidarity). This course fulfills the culture requirement for the Major in Hispanic Studies. This course may be used toward completion of the LLAS Minor. Prerequisites: 312, 313 or 316 and one upper-division course in linguistics, literature or culture.
HISP 356AC Topics in Hispanic Cinema (4 Credits)
This course features a selection of films from both Spain and Latin America together with a selection of literary texts that portray significant social changes in the Hispanic world. The material included comes from film directors and authors predominantly from Spain, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina. The course requires research on historical events on both sides of the Atlantic. Students are also expected to refine their ability for literary and filmic analysis. Debates will evolve around character analysis, narrative techniques, and the aesthetic component of symbols and images. This course ultimately targets moral analysis of social changes and individual behavior. Topics such as family and gender, war and revolution, oppression, drugs, immigration and other phenomena in modern society will be common discussion themes.
HISP 356J Literature Studies in Contemporary Spain and Latin America (4 Credits)
This course will explore a broad, diverse, and multidisciplinary view of the Hispanic and Latin American culture from the XX to the XXI century through literature; in relation to other cultural manifestations such music and painting.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP 316 or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1
HISP 356L Global Voices (4 Credits)
This course will explore pressing health and environmental challenges in the Spanish-speaking world through a social justice-oriented global health lens. Case studies and representations of lived experience will center the voices of people and communities most impacted by health disparities. Given that social determinants of health can involve economics, education, history, cultural context and language, the course will have an interdisciplinary approach and will be enriched by student perspectives from a range academic interest areas. There will be a project-based learning component where small groups will contribute to an exploration of a particular social issue or evaluation of a global health intervention.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1
Attributes: Human Experience (HE)
HISP 357 Chiapas Embedded SA (4 Credits)
This course combines classroom learning at CSB/SJU during CD mod and ends with an experiential component abroad. With portions both at home on campus and abroad in Chiapas, Mexico, at the heat of this “embedded” course are the language and intercultural learning opportunities afforded by an immersion experience in Chiapas, in the Mexican Southeast. Through small-group intensive instruction, 1-1 tutoring, a homestay
experience and on-site engagement, students will expand their language proficiency and global perspectives. The course will begin with an on-campus seminar organized around the practice of accompaniment (walking with) as embodied by Bishop JTatik Samuel Ruiz. We will study some of the ways that the indigenous communities of Chiapas have struggled for rights and justice while exercising autonomy in the most important areas of their social lives (food production, education, health and good governance). We will explore a poetic mayatsotsil worldview and consider its relationship to contemporary social problems. Once onsite, in Chiapas, students will apply that on-campus learning as context for deeper engagement in language class, field trips to related sites and individual and group reflection.
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Justice
HISP 358 Seminar on Transatlantic Hispanic Issues (4 Credits)
The aim of this course is an intensive study on a topic in Hispanic Cultures, Literatures or Linguistics, including reading, discussion and independent research. Specific course content varies, but equitable attention will be given to Spain and Latin America. This course also questions the limits between Latin American, Iberian, Caribbean, Latino, Afro-American and other identities, to propose a productive redefinition of the local and the global in the study of culture, literature and language.
HISP 358A Seminar: Trans-Atlantic Hispanic Cultural Representation (4 Credits)
A study of the cultural and historical issues through the analysis of literary works, musical interpretation, and visual texts (film and art) of contemporary Spain and Latin America. Themes may include: nationalism, memory, trauma, conflict, gender, sexuality, and pluralism. Evaluation criteria includes presentation, short writing assignments and term paper.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP 316 or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Encounter3 - Movement
HISP 360D Spanish for the Health Professions (2 Credits)
This course will be conducted in Spanish and is intended for students in the health-related professions who will be working with Spanish-speaking patients. It will focus on pronunciation, reading and patient interaction skills. It will cover Medical Terminology such as body parts and organs, vital signs, patient instructions and medications. It will also address health conditions in Hispanic populations, as well as cultural components specific to the Hispanic community, including personal space, physical contact, formal and informal register.
HISP 360E WICKED QUESTIONS (2 Credits)
The most challenging issues of our times call for creative and collaborative thinking that crosses disciplinary boundaries. This course will function as a workshop using a “problem-posing” approach to explore contemporary challenges while providing opportunities to apply Spanish language learning in meaningful contexts. Students will play an active decision-making role in choosing thematic content of the course by engaging in dialogue around their current realities and related academic interests. Project-based learning and cross-disciplinary perspectives will shape Spanish language research, writing and speaking opportunities. Intended as a culminating experience for Hispanic Studies minors or majors, this course will end with a celebration of student learning and a wicked problems forum. Open to HISP majors/minors with senior standing or instructor approval. Fulfills the Capstone requirement for HISP majors.
Prerequisites: None
Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Hispanic Studies.
HISP 360F Weaving Poetic Connections: Spanish Language Poetry Workshop (2 Credits)
Inspired by socially engaged poetry and shaped by participatory pedagogy, this course is conducted as a collaborative poetry writing workshop. The course is divided between the study of social justice-oriented Spanish language or bilingual poetry and the development of our own writing practices. With lived experience at the forefront of the thematic content, participants will read, write, and critique poems as a way of articulating connections to the worlds they inhabit. We treat poetry writing as a practice for exploring and claiming a voice while simultaneously promoting and refining Spanish language proficiency. Poets and non-poets, shy people and extroverts are all invited to become active participants in the making of a Spanish language collaborative poetry workshop. Open to anyone with appropriate Spanish language background and instructor approval.
Prerequisites: HISP 312 or HISP 312Z or HISP 313 or HISP 316 or HISP 273 or HISP Proficiency with a score of 1
Restrictions: Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Hispanic Studies.
HISP 371 Individual Learning Project (1-4 Credits)
Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Not available to first-year students.
Prerequisites: None
Equivalent courses: SPAN 371
HISP 373 Invisible Women: Twentieth Century Spanish Theater and Gender (4 Credits)
The objective of this course is to study the most prolific Spanish playwrights of the 20th & 21st century from a variety of perspectives applying various theoretical tools including feminist theory. The course uses an interdisciplinary approach and a variety of cultural mediums including plays, films, and modern art to explore themes such as the Spanish civil war and its aftermath, the transition to democracy, exile, immigration, racism, and xenophobia. There will be a special focus on gender relations, the transformation of the female subject, feminine space, masculinity, love, marriage and maternity, infertility, infidelity, etc. Students will learn how political changes through each historical period affected men and women’s lives and will examine ways in which advocacy and social change took place at different times. Prerequisite: HISP 312
Prerequisites: You must take HISP 312, 313 OR 316 prior to taking HISP 373. You must take INTG 100 or 205 prior to taking a Thematic Focus Course. You must take a Cultural and Social Difference: Identity (CI) course prior to or at the same time as Thematic Focus Courses.
Equivalent courses: HISP 355E
Attributes: Human Experience (HE), Thematic Focus - Justice
HISP 394 Hispanic Studies Capstone Project (2,4 Credits)
This course is designed to be a culminating experience for Hispanic Studies majors in which the student demonstrates skills and knowledge acquired from his/her work in the major and experience in Spanish-speaking contexts. The course will focus on research methods. Each student will select a topic related to the language, literature, culture, history and/or civilization of the Spanish-speaking peoples of the world. Students will write a research paper and will present their findings in a public forum. Normally 4 credits are required. Professor approval is needed to enroll for 2 credits only. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Prerequisite: HISP 312, 313 or 316. Offered for A-F grading only.
HISP 397 Internship (1-4 Credits)
A practical off-campus experience with a substantial academic component, the internship represents an opportunity to apply language skills and explore issues and culture of Minnesota’s Hispanic communities through a combination of social service/professional experience and independent research. Prerequisite: 312 and approval of the department chair. A-F grading only.
Prerequisites: None
Equivalent courses: SPAN 397
Attributes: Experiential Engagement (EX)