Spanish Curriculum Overview
Professors H. Stewart Robertson and Judith Stallings-Ward (Program Director); Assistant Professors Kaitlin Thomas and Miriam Romero; Lecturers Susan Nevins and Robert Bartlett
The Spanish student pursuing the major or the minor has access to a wide range of courses designed to build a solid foundation in the language, perfect speaking and compositional skills, teach literature in tandem with the culture of both Spain and Hispanoamerica, focus on special topics in Latino studies, cinema, women authors, or literary genres, and culminate in a senior capstone course, typically dealing with an eminent writer, such as Cervantes or García Márquez. The senior portfolio incorporates assessment of writing and speaking proficiency with samples of student work toward the major. All students are encouraged to participate in the program´s on-campus cultural activities and to study abroad for a summer or semester in an approved overseas program to experience language immersion and explore in situ a Hispanic culture.
Students who have completed more than one year of high school Spanish, or the equivalent, must take the foreign language placement test before registering for their first Norwich course in Spanish.
Goals:
Students achieve advanced language proficiency, expand their cultural understanding of the Hispanic world, develop critical expertise in works of literature written in Spanish, strengthen critical thinking skills, and experience personal transformation. This educational growth will empower students to connect with and impact a diverse world in a meaningful way.
Outcomes:
At graduation, Spanish majors will present test results and written work in a senior portfolio showing the abilities
- To listen, speak, and write with advanced proficiency and produce different styles of writing;
- To read literary and popular texts in Spanish and discern moral, cultural, aesthetic values, literary movements, and historical periods informing the conditions in which those works are produced;
- To demonstrate a comprehension and appreciation of the differences and similarities among the three Hispanic cultures Spain, Latin America, and the U.S. Latino population as they compare to other cultures;
- To conduct research on and think critically about works of literature, film, and art produced by Hispanic cultures and identify leadership qualities and discuss ethical questions in the works.
Graduate School Preparation:
The Spanish major strengthens verbal and critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, international experience, and foreign language competency necessary to excel in graduate study in all professional schools.
Careers for this Major:
The Spanish major provides a competitive edge in national and international job markets where Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world. When combined with a second major, it doubles the value of the college degree and strengthens the curriculum vitae. Among the many job opportunities awaiting the Spanish major are those found in
- Law Enforcement
- Military Service
- Diplomacy
- Education
- Business
- Social Services
- Health Care
- Politics
- Environmental Science
- Advertising and Mass Media
Spanish (B.A.) – Curriculum Map 2021-2022 Catalog
The Spanish major consists of ten courses (30 credits), at least eight of which must be numbered 301 or higher. Testing out of Spanish classes will result in additional courses/credits being needed to reach the required total of 30 credits. Beginning (100-level) language classes are considered pre-requisites and do not count toward fulfilling the major.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| EN 110 Writing and Inquiry in Public Contexts | 3 | EN 111 Writing and Inquiry in Academic Contexts | 3 | ||
| SP 121 Beginning Spanish I c | 4 | SP 122 Beginning Spanish II c | 4 | ||
| General Education History | 3 | General Education Math | 3 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | General Education Social Science | 3 | ||
| General Education Math | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 14-16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| SP 205 Intermediate Spanish I c | 3 | SP 206 Intermediate Spanish II c | 3 | ||
| General Education Ethics | 3 | General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | ||
| General Education Lab Science | 4 | General Education Lab Science | 4 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| SP 300-Level Elective (Study Abroad) c | 3 | SP 302 Advanced Spanish II c, 1 | 3 | ||
| SP 300-Level Elective (Study Abroad) c | 3 | BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | ||
| SP 300-Level Elective (Study Abroad) c | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | General Education Literature c | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| SP 300-Level Elective c | 3 | SP 415 Seminar: Topics in Spanish Literature and Culture (General Education Capstone) c, 1, 2, 3 | 3 | ||
| SP 300-Level Elective c | 3 | SP 300-Level Elective c | 3 | ||
| BA Intercultural Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 122-124 | |||||
| c | Grade of C or higher required. |
| 1 | Must be completed at Norwich. |
| 2 | Study abroad must be completed before taking SP 415. |
| 3 | One semester of study in a Spanish-speaking country is required for the major; see Spanish Program Director. |
Spanish Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
A Spanish major is ineligible to declare the minor. Each course requires a grade of C or higher. The courses required to complete the minor depend on the foreign-language proficiency level of the incoming student. See tracks A and B below:
A. The following is the track to complete the minor for those who enter Norwich at or below the intermediate level:
| SP 205 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| SP 206 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| SP Elective (250 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 18 | |
B. Track B is to be completed by students who place above the intermediate level:
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| SP Elective (301 or higher) | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 18 | |
Courses
SP 121 Beginning Spanish I 4 Cr.
Students progress along the first steps towards acquiring basic languages skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with a focus on their use for several modes of communication, such as the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative, within the context of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. For students with little or no previous exposure to Spanish. 4 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: Modern Language Placement Score of SP 0-274.
SP 122 Beginning Spanish II 4 Cr.
Students continue progress toward novice-high skill levels in speaking, listening, reading, and writing - and their use in several modes of communication: the interpersonal, the interpretive, and the informative - all within the context of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. 4 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: SP 121 Modern Language Placement Score of SP 275-340.
SP 150 Topics Course 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. This is an introductory-level course. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. Taught in Spanish.
SP 150EN Topics Course in English 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in English. This course does not count toward the B.A. Modern Language requirement.
SP 188 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
SP 205 Intermediate Spanish I 3 Cr.
A course that provides aural-oral practice in Spanish, in which students are enabled to enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes; review and expanded use of syntactical structures; intensive and extensive reading; and composition. 3 Lecture hours and 1 Lab hour. Prerequisite: SP 122 or Modern Language Placement Score of SP 351-535.
SP 206 Intermediate Spanish II 3 Cr.
A course that provides aural-oral practice in Spanish, in which students are enabled to enter into full discussion of topics that include abstract themes; review and expanded use of syntactical structures; intensive and extensive reading; and composition. 3 Lecture hours and 1 Lab hour. Prerequisites: SP 205 or Modern Language Placement Score of SP 536 or higher.
SP 250 Topics Course 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in Spanish. Counts as General Education Arts & Humanities elective. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. Prerequisite: SP 206 or Permission of Instructor.
SP 250EN Topics Course in English 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in English. Topics in Literature count as a General Education Literature elective; others as a General Education Arts & Humanities elective. This course does not count toward the B.A. Modern Language requirement. Prerequisite: EN 102 or EN 111.
SP 288 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
SP 301 Advanced Spanish I 3 Cr.
Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Hispanic authors. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. 3 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: SP 206 or Modern Language Placement Score of SP 536 or higher.
SP 302 Advanced Spanish II 3 Cr.
Oral and written practice of the language through class discussions of selected Hispanic authors. Selective review of grammar, especially of the more difficult and subtle aspects, designed to facilitate an idiomatic and fluent use of the language. 3 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: SP 206.
SP 305 Spanish for Law Enforcement 3 Cr.
This course reinforces the student's Spanish written and spoken skills while focusing on many different aspects of the law enforcement environment. Objectives include attaining intermediate advanced oral proficiency by developing the student's ability to create with the language, to participate in short conversations, to ask and answer questions by using specialized law enforcement vocabulary in Spanish. Grammatical accuracy is sought through a selective review of basic constructions. In addition, emphasis will be placed on cultural issues that may affect successful interaction with Spanish speaking individuals and families faced with matters concerning law enforcement. 3 Lecture hours taught in Spanish. Prerequisites: SP 206, NU Placement Test score 535 or higher. Offered: Fall.
SP 318 Spanish American Short Stories 3 Cr.
An examination of Spanish American short stories from the 19th century through the present day by the authors Horacio Quiroga, Juan Rulfo, Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Ricardo Piglia, and Isabel Allende, among others. Addresses major themes and formal aspects of the short story. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301.
SP 321 Introduction to the Literature of Spain I 3 Cr.
A survey of peninsular Spanish literature from prehistoric Spain to the Modern Age. Lectures, readings, discussion, and written reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301, or concurrently.
SP 322 Introduction to the Literature of Spain II 3 Cr.
A survey of peninsular Spanish literature from the Modern Age up through the 20th Century. Lectures, readings, discussion, and written reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301, or concurrently.
SP 327 Spanish-American Literature I 3 Cr.
A survey of Spanish-American literature from the pre-Columbian period up through the 19th Century. Lectures, readings, discussion, and written reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301 or concurrently.
SP 328 Hispano-American Literature II 3 Cr.
A survey of Spanish-American literature from the end of the 19th Century up through the 20th Century. Lectures, readings, discussion, and written reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301.
SP 350 Topics Course 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Taught in Spanish. Topics in Literature count as General Education Literature elective; others as General Education Arts & Humanities elective. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. Prerequisite: SP 301.
SP 350EN Topics Course in English 3 Cr.
Specialized topics relating to culture, literature, business practices, or language. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. Topics in Literature count as a General Education Literature elective. This course does not count toward the B.A. Modern Language requirement. Taught in English. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic differs. Prerequisite: SP 301, or concurrently.
SP 352EN La guerrilla 3 Cr.
Explores the contexts, ideological foundations, goals, success or failure, and legacy of revolutions and insurrectionary movements from colonial times to the present as represented in oral histories, poetry, short stories, murals, paintings, songs, films and historical accounts, as well as the theories of guerrilla warfare and lives of Che Guevara, Mao Zedong and other revolutionary leaders. Taught in English. 3 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: EN 102 or EN 111. Offered: Every other year.
SP 354EN El narco 3 Cr.
This course studies Mexico’s violent drug industry--el narco--through its representations in Latin American narrative in the many media comprising an entire narco cultura, and in the symbolic language used by cartel paramilitary assassins to create public terror. The literary and cultural perspective will be augmented by historical analysis. Taught in English. Prerequisite: EN 102 or EN 111. Goal 3. Offered: Every other year.
SP 356 Cinema of Spain 3 Cr.
An introduction to Spanish cinema spanning the early decades of the twentieth century, influenced by the avant-garde, moving into the period of censorship, under the Franco dictatorship, and finally covering the transition of the post-Franco era that give rise to the Movida madrileña of the 80’s. The course will focus on the films of Luis Buñuel, Carlos Saura, and Pedro Almodóvar. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 301 or concurrently. Goal 3. Offered: Every other year.
SP 388 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.
SP 415 Seminar: Topics in Spanish Literature and Culture 3 Cr.
A study of a particular author, theme, genre, or literary movement including cultural themes. Topic varies each year these courses are offered. Prerequisite: SP 302, Spanish major or minor, Junior or higher.
SP 421 Reading and Research in Spanish Literature and Culture 3 Cr.
A report on an approved project of original research in Spanish or Spanish-American literature or civilization under the direction of a department member. Limited to students who have demonstrated aptitude for independent work. Prerequisite: SP 302, Spanish Major or minor, Junior or higher and Permission of Department Chair and Permission of Instructor.
SP 488 No Norwich Equivalent 1-6 Cr.