This Course and Program Catalogue is effective from May 2024 to April 2025.

Not all courses described in the Course and Program Catalogue are offered each year. For a list of course offerings in 2024-2025, please consult the class search website.

The following conventions are used for course numbering:

  • 010-099 represent non-degree level courses
  • 100-699 represent undergraduate degree level courses
  • 700-999 represent graduate degree level courses

Course search


22 Results

SPAN 114.3: Elementary Spanish I

Introduction to the study of the Spanish language, both oral and written, vocabulary building, essential structures, and basic grammar. The course also provides insight into Hispanic culture through a variety of activities such as readings, music, and videos.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Note: Students who have completed Spanish 20 (Grade 11 Spanish) or have completed Spanish 30 (Grade 12 Spanish), may not take this course for credit. Students who have some background in Spanish or who have taken any other courses in Spanish and native speakers of Spanish are not allowed to register in this course. Students with credit for SPAN 115 may not take this course for credit.


SPAN 117.3: Elementary Spanish II

A Spanish language course that builds on skills acquired in SPAN 114, completing the study of basic Spanish grammar, with emphasis on oral and written communication. The course aims to develop an appreciation of Hispanic culture.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 114.
Note: Students who have completed Spanish 30 may not take this course for credit. Students who have taken high school Spanish courses or any other Spanish courses and native speakers of Spanish are not allowed to register in this course. Students with credit for SPAN 115 may not take this course for credit.


SPAN 202.3: Intermediate Spanish I Oral Skills and Cultural Understanding

Examines readings about Spanish and Latin American cultures, stressing oral composition. Students will have opportunities to develop their oral skills as well as to improve their knowledge of the language through a communicative approach. Regular attendance is required.

Weekly hours: 4 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 117 or permission of the department.
Note: Native speakers of Spanish are not allowed to register in this course. Students with credit for SPAN 200 may not take this course for credit. Students are encouraged to take SPAN 202 and 214 concurrently.


SPAN 204.3: Intermediate Spanish II Oral Skills and Cultural Understanding

A Spanish language course that builds on skills acquired in SPAN 202 or equivalent. Students will continue to strengthen their language proficiency through a communicative approach by reading cultural texts, participating in dialogues, and making oral presentations. Regular attendance is required.

Weekly hours: 4 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 202.
Note: Native speakers of Spanish are not allowed to register in this course. Students with credit for SPAN 200 may not take this course for credit. Students are encouraged to take SPAN 204 and 217 concurrently.


SPAN 214.3: Intermediate Spanish I Grammar Writing Literary Readings

An intensive study of Spanish grammar, with emphasis on writing skills. Short reading passages will be used to allow students to expand vocabulary and develop oral proficiency.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 117 or permission of the department.
Note: Students with credit for SPAN 215 may not take this course for credit. Students are encouraged to take SPAN 202 and 214 concurrently. Native speakers of Spanish are allowed to take this course, but will need a prerequisite waver in order to register, which can be obtained from the Department.


SPAN 217.3: Intermediate Spanish II Grammar Writing Literary Skills

A Spanish language course that builds on skills acquired in SPAN 214. This course continues with the study of intermediate-advanced Spanish grammar, with a focus on written composition and the study of short literary passages. This course will continue giving the opportunity for oral practice.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 214.
Note: Students with credit for SPAN 215 may not take this course for credit. Students are encouraged to take SPAN 204 and 217 concurrently. Native speakers of Spanish are allowed to take this course, but will need a prerequisite waver in order to register, which can be obtained from the Department


SPAN 235.3: Mexican Culture

Offers the student a broad view of Mexican society and culture. Students will study topics such as Mexican history, society, politics, education, art, customs, traditions, and other expressions of spiritual and material life in Mexico.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units of SPAN courses.
Note: Offered only in Guadalajara, Mexico as part of the Guadalajara Spanish Term Abroad Program.


SPAN 250.3: Historical Trends of the Spanish Language

Have you ever wondered where Spanish came from? What is the relationship between Spanish and other Romance languages? Why are some Spanish words similar to their French, Italian and Portuguese counterparts while others are completely different? Why does the Spanish accent vary so greatly across geographic boundaries? This course answers those questions by examining the evolution of Spanish from its Latinate origins to the contemporary language we speak today. Special attention will be paid to the watershed political and historical events and social movements in Spain from the XIII century onwards, so as to illustrate how such factors are mirrored in the phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic constructions of modern Spanish.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): Completion of 18 credit units of university courses
Note: SPAN 114 is recommended. This course is taught in English.


SPAN 251.3: The Spanish of Latin Americans

What is the difference between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the mother tongue of more than 193 million speakers in Latin and South America? Are the distinctions merely an accent change due to geography or are there other social factors at play? The Spanish of Latin Americans provides an overview of the linguistic variation found in Latin American Spanish. Core topics include the concept of language variation, the fundamental dissimilarities between Peninsular and American Spanish (including the use of usted, voseo, seseo and yeísmo), the indigenous and African contributions and social variation within the continent.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Permission of the Department.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of 18 credit units of university courses.
Note: SPAN 114 is recommended. This course is taught in English.


SPAN 275.3: Business Spanish

Students will become familiar with the vocabulary and expressions used in the business environment. This course will help students to improve their ability to comprehend texts written in Spanish, as well as preparing them to write commercial documents.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): 12 credit units of SPAN courses.
Note: Offered only in Guadalajara, Mexico as part of the Guadalajara Spanish Term Abroad Program.


SPAN 298.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


SPAN 299.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours


SPAN 314.3: Advanced Spanish I

Advanced grammar and vocabulary expansion with emphasis on idiomatic speech taken from real situations in everyday life in Spain and Latin America. The course focuses on written exercises, such as compositions and translations, as well as on the formal aspect of academic writing. A good portion of class time will be spent discussing literary passages.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 217.
Note: Native speakers of Spanish may take this course. Please contact the instructor for permission and prerequisite waiver.


SPAN 317.3: Advanced Spanish II

A Spanish language course that builds on skills acquired in SPAN 314, completing the study of advanced Spanish grammar and continuing with written and oral exercises, literary readings and formal writings.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours and 1 Tutorial hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 314 or permission of the department.
Note: Students with credit for SPAN 315 may not take this course for credit.


SPAN 335.3: Mexican Cinema

Aims at understanding the history of movies in Mexico through cinematographic genres. During the course, old and current movies will be reviewed in order to exemplify the topics presented. The course language is Spanish.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 314.
Note: Offered only in Guadalajara, Mexico as part of the Guadalajara Spanish Term Abroad Program.


SPAN 375.3: Contemporary Mexican Literature

Reading and analysis of 20th Century Mexican writers such as Octavio Paz, Jaime Sabines, Elena Poniatowska, Angeles Mastretta, Carlos Fuentes and Juan Rulfo. The course language is Spanish.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 317 and (SPAN 306 or SPAN 307).


SPAN 385.3: Hispanic American Literature Masters of the 20th Century

Reading and analysis of 20th Century Spanish American writers such as Borges, Rulfo, Cortázar, Fuentes, García Márquez, Benedetti, Mutis, Vallejo and Monterroso. The course language is Spanish.

Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hours
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 317 and (SPAN 306 or SPAN 307).
Note: Offered only in Guadalajara, Mexico as part of the Guadalajara Spanish Term Abroad Program.


SPAN 398.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


SPAN 399.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


SPAN 498.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


SPAN 499.6: Special Topics

Offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses.

Weekly hours: 3 Seminar/Discussion hours


SPAN 898.3: Special Topics

Offered occasionally in special situations. Students interested in these courses should contact the department for more information.