Spanish

Wabash College understands that language is the foremost avenue for understanding and interacting with the world, its peoples, and its histories. Consequently, the study of world languages is fundamental to a liberal arts education and a well-lived life beyond. Serious intellectual work in other languages broadens a Wabash man’s communicative potential; deepens his understanding of his native tongue; refines his expressive abilities; inculcates in him analytical and creative habits of mind; helps him see beyond his own place, time, and circumstance; and is foundational for his further study and appreciation of the literatures, histories, and aesthetic sensibilities of global cultures throughout time.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Wabash College prepares students for citizenship in a multicultural, multilingual global community. The Department promotes facility in languages, expands knowledge of cultures and literatures, and enables students to actively engage in cultural and linguistic exchanges. Our faculty work with students to provide a greater understanding of world affairs in an historical context, an enhanced knowledge of the traditions, achievements, and lifestyles of the international community, and an appreciation of differences and similarities among peoples and nations.

The Wabash College world language requirement sets students on their path to these goals while recognizing that some students bring to campus facility in a second language.

World Language Requirement

The Wabash curriculum requires that all students demonstrate facility in a world language. Students who fulfill this requirement in Spanish usually do one of the following:

Earn a passing grade for the elementary sequence (SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I and SPA-102 Elementary Spanish II or SPA-103 Accelerated Elementary Spanish).
Earn a passing grade for any single course beyond 103 (e.g. SPA-201 Intermediate Spanish).
Demonstrate facility in a world language by being admitted to Wabash as an International Student whose native language is one other than English.

Students may also fulfill this requirement by passing a proficiency exam with written and oral components. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact the department chair prior to mid-semester break in the fall of their freshman year.

Less Commonly Taught Languages

Students who wish to demonstrate facility in a language not offered at Wabash will be responsible for demonstrating their ability by exam. The department will assist the student in finding an institution to administer an exam, but the associated costs and arrangements will be the responsibility of the student.

Placement

Students who wish to continue at Wabash with a language studied in high school must enroll at the level determined by the departmental placement policy. Students who have taken at least two years of a language in high school will begin at the 201 level or higher. Placement beyond the 201 level is determined by the Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam and reference to high school transcripts. Any student may begin at the 101 level in a language that is new to him. For example, a student who is placed in FRE-201 Intermediate French can choose to enroll in SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I and complete the requirement with the elementary sequence.

Background Credit

A student who starts with the third semester course or higher (201 or 301 level) of a language and completes that course with a B-or better also receives one elective credit for the course immediately preceding the one he has taken. Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.

A student need not earn a grade of B- or better to fulfill the world language requirement. A passing grade in the appropriate courses will satisfy the requirement.

Comprehensive Examinations

Majors in a modern language must successfully complete a two-day written comprehensive examination. In keeping with the goals of the department, the student must demonstrate his ability in the language in which he is majoring, as well as his knowledge of its culture and his critical appreciation of its literature.

Study Abroad

Modern language students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Students in modern languages and literatures should meet with a member of the department as early as possible to develop an appropriate plan for study abroad.

Student Learning Goals

Language Proficiency: to enable students to negotiate meaning in a language other than their own.

Cultural Proficiency: to understand and appreciate the experiences, values, perceptions, and behaviors of people from diverse cultural communities, and to become self-aware in the presence of other cultures.

Contextualization within Cultural and Intellectual History: to understand the historical development of culture

Literary Interpretation: to interpret and analyze works of literature in the target language

Diachronic and synchronic comparisons and connections

Academic Skills: to develop skills in writing, analysis, research, and critical thinking.

On This Tab

Requirements for a Major
Requirements for a Minor

Requirements for a Major

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
SPA-302	Intro to Literature	1
SPA-401	Spanish Senior Seminar	1
Spanish Electives		7
Total Credits		9

Requirements for a Minor

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Five course credits in Spanish		5
Total Credits		5

Minor concentrators are encouraged to take courses beyond SPA-302 Intro to Literature.

Background credit does not count toward a major or minor in the language.

SPA-101 Elementary Spanish I

The student with little or no previous training in Spanish will become grounded in the language and gain some understanding of Hispanic cultures. Upon successful completion of the course students will understand and respond in common conversational situations, read straightforward prose, and write simple but correct Spanish. This course is offered in the fall semester. Successful completion of both SPA-101 and SPA-102 satisfies the World Languages distribution requirement.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: SPA-101L
Credit: 1

SPA-102 Elementary Spanish II

The student with little or no previous training in Spanish will continue building in the language and gain further understanding of Hispanic cultures. Upon successful completion of the course students will understand and respond in common conversational situations, read straightforward prose, and write simple but correct Spanish. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisites: SPA-101 or SPA-102 placement
Corequisites: SPA-102L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

SPA-103 Accelerated Elementary Spanish

This is an accelerated Introduction to Spanish course that reviews the basic grammar elements and vocabulary for students with a limited background in high school Spanish. The course covers in one semester the material presented in SPA-101 and SPA-102. Successful completion of the course satisfies the Wabash language requirement and prepares students to move on to SPA-201.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: SPA-103L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

SPA-176 Special Topics: Lang. Studies

Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Corequisites: SPA-176L
Credit: 1

SPA-177 Special Topics

SPA-187 Independent Study

Topics in literature, language, or culture chosen in consultation with the instructor, discussed in tutorial sessions. Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

SPA-188 Independent Study

SPA-201 Intermediate Spanish

This course provides a thorough review of the fundamentals of the language. Students will continue their growth via active use of the language in order to develop communication skills: speaking, listening, writing, and cultural awareness. Students will also read Spanish texts that reinforce the study of the language and knowledge of Hispanic cultures. Particular attention will be given to improving self-expression in Spanish beyond the rudimentary level.
Prerequisites: SPA-102 or SPA-103, or SPA-201 placement
Corequisites: SPA-201L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

SPA-202 Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures

This course focuses on the active use of Spanish. Its goals are to develop the student's command of Spanish through guided practice in the use of the language and to increase his understanding of Hispanic cultures as reflected in the language and life in the Spanish-speaking world.
Prerequisites: SPA-201, or SPA-202 placement
Corequisites: SPA-202L
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

SPA-276 Special Topics: Lang. Studies

SPA-277 Special Topics: Literature & Culture

SPA-287 Independent Study

SPA-288 Independent Study

SPA-301 Conversation & Composition

This course focuses on the continued development of the student's command of the Spanish language and his understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, with an emphasis on speaking and writing. Students gain competence in writing and speaking and read selections of both Spanish and Spanish American fiction and nonfiction.
Prerequisites: SPA-202, or SPA-301 placement
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language, Global Citizenship, Justice, and Diversity

SPA-302 Intro to Literature

This first course in the study of literature examines the workings of literature: style, form, structure, genre, symbolism, allusion, and metaphor. It also includes an introduction to the lexicon of literary criticism and the principles of literary theory. Required for majors.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, or SPA-302 placement
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

SPA-311 Studies in Spanish Language

Studies in Spanish Language offers advanced study in the Spanish language. Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to, linguistics: phonetics, grammar and syntax, and second language acquisition. Students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the study of the Spanish language and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. This course counts toward the Language Studies requirement. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, and SPA-302
Credit: 1
Distribution: Language Studies

SPA-312 Studies in Hispanic Culture

Studies in Hispanic Culture offers advanced study of Spanish and Latin American culture. Topics may vary and include, but are not limited to, film, popular culture and arts, theory of mind, regional and ethnic identities, gender studies, politics and religion. As they consider the connections among different disciplines and cultural contexts, students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of cultural moments and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. Please refer to the Registrar's page for course description.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, and SPA-302, Must have taken SPA-302 previously
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

SPA-313 Studies in Hispanic Literature

Studies in Hispanic Literature offers advanced interdisciplinary study of Spanish and Latin American literary genres, periods, and authors. Topics may vary. Students read and analyze texts to better understand the dialog between literature and historical, political, and social realities, as well as the connections between Hispanic and other literary traditions. Students will develop the analytical tools and language specific to the interpretation of a particular genre and demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays and class discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is different from previously taken course. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, and SPA-302
Credits: 0.5-1

SPA-314 Special Topics in Spanish

SPA-321 Spanish Conversation & Composition

This course, for native and near-native speakers, focuses on the continued development of the student's command of the Spanish language and his understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, with an emphasis on speaking and writing. Students gain competence in writing and speaking and read selections of both Spanish and Spanish American fiction and nonfiction.
Prerequisites: By Placement only
Corequisites: By Placement only
Credit: 1
Distribution: World Language

SPA-376 Special Topics: Lang. Studies

SPA-377 Special Topics: Literature & Culture

These courses treat topics in Spanish literature and culture. Conducted in Spanish. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

SPA-387 Independent Study

SPA-388 Independent Study

SPA-401 Spanish Senior Seminar

A seminar on genres and writers from Spanish America and/or Spain. Students will engage in an in-depth literary analysis of texts central to Spanish letters, and will produce original interpretive work and/or an original research project.
Prerequisites: SPA-302
Credit: 1

SPA-476 Special Topics: Lang. Studies

SPA-477 Special Topics: Literature & Culture

SPA-487 Independent Study

SPA-488 Independent Study

Spanish Faculty

Matthew Greenhalgh

Jane Hardy

Maria Cristina Monsalve

V. Daniel Rogers (chair)

Marcus Richard Welch