Spanish
Member of the Division of Humanities
Chair(s):
Maria Tapias - Fall
Yvette Aparicio - Spring
Faculty:
Rebecca Bender
Valérie Benoist
Erin Cowling
Michelle Nasser
Brian Patrick
Mirzam Pérez
Barbara Stone
Carmen Valentín
Courses in Spanish examine the diverse cultural achievements of Latin America, Latin@ America and Spain and enable students to respond with intelligence and sensitivity to other cultures. The department seeks to develop in students from all disciplines the critical ability to identify problems and view them from multiple perspectives: cultural, historical, literary, and linguistic. The growing importance of bilingual areas in urban America underscores the advisability of Spanish-language study for careers in health care, bilingual education, community development, and social services.
Students with training in Spanish receive a recommendation as to the appropriate course level (100, 200, 300) for continued language study. Those beginning the language take SPN 105 . The first two years of study in the department follows the sequence SPN 105 , SPN 106 , SPN 217 , and SPN 285 . All courses are conducted in Spanish.
The program for majors provides essential skills for communication in the language, a sound and comprehensive introduction to literature, and an exploration of various aspects of Latin American, Latin@ American, and Spanish cultures. Students should balance their Spanish program with a broad selection of interdepartmental courses and study in all three major divisions in order to ensure breadth of learning. The department encourages participation in one of the approved off-campus programs in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, or Spain.
