Spanish Language (SPAN-SHU)

Open to students with no previous training in Spanish and to others on assignment by placement test. Beginning course designed to teach the elements of Spanish grammar and language structure through a primarily oral approach. Emphasis is on building vocabulary and language patterns to encourage spontaneous language use in and out of the classroom. No prerequisite. Fulfillment: General elective.

Open to students who have completed SPAN-SHU 1 or the equivalent, or by Placement Exam. This course builds on the foundations of Spanish grammar and language through a balanced approach of the four skills, with emphasis on building vocabulary and language patterns to encourage spontaneous language use in and out of the classroom. After completion of this course, students take Intermediate Spanish I or Intensive Intermediate Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish for Beginners I (SPAN-SHU 1, or equivalent) or placement. Fulfillment: General Elective.

Review of grammar, language structure, and culture, concentrating on fluency and accuracy through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. After completion of this course, students take SPAN-SHU 4. Prerequisite: Spanish for Beginners II (SPAN-SHU 2 or equivalent), Intensive Elementary Spanish (SPAN-UA 10), or placement. Fulfillment: General elective.

This is a one-semester intensive course that covers the equivalent of one year of elementary Spanish in one semester. 6 points. Open to students with no previous training in Spanish and to others on assignment by placement test. Prerequisite: None. Fulfillment: General Elective.

Promotes proficiency in reading and writing as well as oral performance. This course is an intensive intermediate course that covers the equivalent of one year of intermediate Spanish (SPAN-UA 3 and SPAN-UA 4) in one semester. Prerequisite: Intensive Elementary Spanish or Instructor Permission. Fulfillment: General elective.

Expands and consolidates students’ lexical and grammatical understanding of the language and introduces them to the fundamental principles of expository writing as they apply to Spanish. Utilizes exercises, readings, and intensive practice of various prose techniques and styles. Prerequisite: Intermediate Spanish II (SPAN-UA 4) OR Intensive Intermediate Spanish (SPAN-SHU 20), or assignment by placement test, or permission of the director of language programs. For non-native speakers only. Equivalent courses: SPAN-UA 100 (NY), SPAN-UA 9100 (Madrid & Buenos Aires) Fulfillment: General elective.

Intensive course in spoken Spanish, designed to give the student fluency in the use of idiomatic, everyday language as well as a comprehensive, practical vocabulary. For non-native speakers only. Advanced Spanish Conversation is a four-credit advanced-level course designed to expand students’ speaking skills beyond the practical, day-to-day language functions. The aim is to achieve a more elaborate and abstract use of the language through the practice of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms, and structures, within the contexts of selected subject areas. Although the main concentration of the course is on the oral component, reading and writing skills are practiced as well, as a basis for oral expression. The goal of the course is to generate active participation through thought-provoking discussions and creative activities that stimulate critical thinking as well as conversation. This is achieved through authentic readings from contemporary sources — newspapers, magazines, literature, films, music, videos, etc. — that sensitize students to the actual concerns of Spanish. A process of recording, transcribing and editing actual conversations will also help students better their Spanish. Finally, various listening comprehension activities will be included to fine tune the student’s ear to Spanish sounds. Prerequisite: SPAN-UA 4 or SPAN-SHU 20 or SPAN-UA 9020. Fulfillment: General elective.

This course will explore the principles and problems of translation through readings and in-class workshops. The theory will concentrate on ideas and issues about translation from the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will develop their skills in Spanish to English and English to Spanish translation by working with different types of genre, such as poetry, short story, film, advertisements, academic articles, and technical documents. Theoretical questions and problems will be addressed in the readings and discussed in class as they arise within the translation exercises. Reading assignments are in Spanish and in English, but the discussions will be conducted entirely in Spanish. In-class workshops will focus on practice that highlights the difficulties of translating from one language into another. Special attention will be paid to the structural differences between English and Spanish; the significance of tone and style; the author's "voice" and the translator's "ear"; and the on-going issues of fidelity, literalness, and freedom. Prerequisite: SPAN-SHU 30 (SPAN-UA 100) Advanced Grammar and Composition, or permission of the instructor. Fulfillment: General Elective.