Spanish and Latin American Studies
(Bachelor of Arts)
The Spanish and Latin American Studies program provides students with communication skills in both written and spoken Spanish and gives them an understanding of and appreciation for the peoples, literatures, and cultures of Spain and Latin America. Stronger ties with the Spanish-speaking world and the growing number of Spanish-speakers in the United States have significantly increased the need for teachers and speakers of Spanish.
Although some students choose to study Spanish primarily for personal growth and intellectual enrichment, graduates in Spanish and Latin American Studies have found satisfying careers in teaching, international business, translating and interpreting, personnel work, public relations, business management, social work, government service, and other fields. The Spanish and Latin American Studies major is also excellent preparation for graduate study. Proficiency in a foreign language and understanding of other cultures are essential for peace and prosperity in an interdependent world.
Learning a new language is a life-long endeavor, only part of which can be accomplished in the classroom. All students of Spanish and Latin American Studies are strongly encouraged to pursue the opportunities faculty provide for travel and study in Spain, Mexico, Guatemala, and South America. Additionally, ways exist to interact with the Hispanic community of Green Bay. A language laboratory with interactive audio equipment, computers, and international television reception helps language learning and cultural awareness. Spanish conversation groups meet periodically to offer the opportunity to practice the language. Students are encouraged to become members of the student-led Spanish Club.
Many students majoring in Spanish and Latin American Studies will also choose a complimentary minor. Students may choose Humanities; students interested in the arts or the performing arts may choose Design Arts or Arts Management. Depending on their preferences and goals, students may find other minors appropriate, such as Human Development or Democracy and Justice Studies. Students desiring teacher preparation in Spanish must combine their studies in Spanish with the secondary Education minor.
Students who begin Spanish and Latin American Studies study at UW-Green Bay should enroll in SPANISH 101. Students with previous Spanish should select a course appropriate to their level by counting a year of high school work as equivalent to a semester of college work, or consult the Spanish and Latin American Studies adviser. If more than two semesters have elapsed between your high school Spanish classes and when you will be enrolling in college Spanish courses, you are required to take the UW placement test for appropriate placement.
Students seeking teacher certification must be admitted to the Education Program and should contact the Education Office for information and further requirements.
The following is required of all students seeking teacher certification in Spanish and Latin American Studies:
- An oral proficiency exam must be successfully completed before student can be approved for student teaching.
- Student is required to spend an appropriate period of time in a country where Spanish is spoken or participate in an approved immersion program.
Students may study abroad or at other campuses in the United States through UW-Green Bay’s participation in international exchange programs and National Student Exchange. Travel courses are another option for obtaining academic credits and completing requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at (920) 465-2190 or see http://www.uwgb.edu/international/.
Retroactive Credit
Degree seeking students who have taken a second language in high school or who have acquired knowledge of a second language elsewhere may earn up to 14 additional credits for their previous language study by completing a foreign language course beyond the 101 level. With a grade of “B” or better, credit will be given in that language for all of the courses in that language preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of 14 credits; with a grade of “BC” or “C,” half credit will be given for the courses preceding the one in which the student has enrolled, to a maximum of seven credits.
For example, with four years of high school Spanish, students who complete SPANISH 225, with a grade of “B” will receive 14 retroactive credits for SPANISH 101, SPANISH 102, SPANISH 201, and SPANISH 202 in addition to the three credits for SPANISH 225; students who complete the course with a “C” will receive seven retroactive credits for SPANISH 101 (2 of the total 4 credits), SPANISH 102 (2 of the total 4 credits), SPANISH 201 (1.5 of the total 3 credits), and SPANISH 202 (1.5 of the total 3 credits).
Requests for retroactive credit in a student’s native language are not generally accepted.
To determine eligibility for retroactive credit, students must consult with the appropriate language program chair or course instructor who will advise them regarding which foreign language course they should take. If a student meets the criteria above, the course instructor must complete the Retroactive Credit Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. The appropriate courses and corresponding credits will then be recorded on the student’s transcript.
Retroactive credit will not be awarded based on a student’s performance on any sort of test. This includes, but is not limited to, AP, CLEP, or Challenge exams. Retroactive foreign language credits may only be earned by satisfactorily passing a course at UW-Green Bay or through an approved CCHS program as described above.
Retroactive credits earned at any UW System institution or from St. Norbert College courses will be honored and granted to transfer students. Retroactive foreign language credits awarded by other institutions will not be granted to students who transfer to UW-Green Bay. Students may request an exception to this policy by submitting a written appeal to the language coordinator of the department they wish to receive credit from.
If you’re repeating a course, contact the Spanish and Latin American Studies program chair for further information on retroactive credits.
The following is a curriculum guide for a four-year Spanish degree program and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult a Spanish program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.
Jennifer Flatt; Professor; Ph.D., Loyola University
Cristina M Ortiz; Professor; Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, chair
Hernan Fernandez-Meardi; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Universite de Montreal (Canada)
Lorena Lecanda; Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Ohio State University
Courses
SPANISH 101. Introduction to the Spanish Language I. 4 Credits.
Development of basic ability in understanding, reading, speaking and writing in Spanish.
Fall Only.
SPANISH 102. Introduction to the Spanish Language II. 4 Credits.
Development of basic ability in understanding, reading, speaking and writing in Spanish.
P: none; REC: 1 yr h.s. or 1 sem college Spanish.
Spring.
SPANISH 198. First Year Seminar. 3 Credits.
First Year Seminar, topics vary.
Reserved for New Incoming Freshman
Fall Only.
SPANISH 201. Intermediate Spanish Language I. 3 Credits.
Further development of the ability to understand, read, write and speak Spanish.
P: none; REC: 2 yrs h.s. or 2 sem college Spanish.
Fall Only.
SPANISH 202. Intermediate Spanish Language II. 3 Credits.
Further development of the ability to understand, read, write and speak Spanish.
P: none; REC: 3 yrs h.s. or 3 sem college Spanish.
Spring.
SPANISH 225. Composition and Conversation I. 3 Credits.
Development of greater fluency through classroom practice in conversation and composition.
P: none; REC: 4 yrs h.s. or 4 sem college Spanish.
Fall Only.
SPANISH 226. Composition and Conversation II. 3 Credits.
Continues development of Spanish fluency through practice and study of language. Emphasis on developing accurate use of grammatical structures in written and oral expression.
P: SPANISH 225
Spring.
SPANISH 285. Study Abroad: Spain and Latin America. 3-15 Credits.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
SPANISH 299. Travel Course. 1-4 Credits.
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
SPANISH 328. Introduction to Cultural Studies in Spanish. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of a variety of topics related to the cultures of the Spanish speaking world. It incorporates political, social, and cultural perspectives and provides students with academic writing, research, and critical thinking skills in the field of cultural studies.
P: SPANISH 226
Fall and Spring.
SPANISH 329. Representative Spanish and Latin American Authors. 3 Credits.
Important novels, plays, poems, and essays representative of major eras and movements of Spanish and Latin American societies foster appreciation of the language and understanding of the literature and culture. Includes different styles of writing and differing treatment of recurring themes. Offered in the language. May be repeated for credit when different author is studied.
P: SPANISH 226. REC: SPANISH 328
Fall Only.
SPANISH 345. Advanced Spanish Grammar. 3 Credits.
In-depth review and continued study of Spanish grammar.
P: SPANISH 226
Spring Odd.
SPANISH 351. Major Spanish and Latin American Fiction. 3 Credits.
Study of Spanish short story and/or novels either by period or by theme.
P: SPANISH 328
Spring.
SPANISH 355. Spanish and Latin American Cinema. 3 Credits.
Historical and critical introduction to the work of prominent Spanish and Latin American filmmakers and to thematic representations of Spanish and Latin American Cultures.
P: SPANISH 225.
Spring Even.
SPANISH 357. Cultura Latina. 3 Credits.
This course is designed to be a query into the nature of Latino/Hispanic Culture in the United States and in the Green Bay area. During the semester we will be discussing in class the changing nature of Latino/Hispanic culture in the United States, as it is reflected in different art media (literature, visual art), cultural theory and mass media.
P: SPANISH 328
Spring Even.
SPANISH 358. Latin America Today. 3 Credits.
Specific humanistic aspects of contemporary Latin American culture, including its history, art, literature, music and value systems.
P: SPANISH 328 OR SPANISH 225 OR concurrent enrollment in SPANISH 328
Fall Even.
SPANISH 359. The Cultures of the Americas. 3 Credits.
A look at the three major cultural influences in Latin America: Amerindian, African, and European. The history of ethnic relations and intercultural contact in the Americas.
P: SPANISH 328
Spring Even.
SPANISH 360. Spain Today. 3 Credits.
Aspects of contemporary Spain, including its cultures, architecture, music, art and values. Credit not granted for both SPANISH 360 and HUM STUD 360.
P: SPANISH 328
Fall Odd.
SPANISH 361. The Cultures of Spain. 3 Credits.
This course provides a historical overview of the many cultures that have played a role in the development of what is now Spain.
P: SPANISH 328
Spring Odd.
SPANISH 372. Spanish Phonetics. 3 Credits.
Survey of descriptive linguistics with emphasis on the sound system of Spanish.
P: SPANISH 226 or SPANISH 225
Fall Even.
SPANISH 438. Major Spanish and Latin American Writer(s). 3 Credits.
Study of an outstanding figure in Spanish and Latin American literatures.
P: SPANISH 328 OR SPANISH 225 OR concurrent enrollment in SPANISH 328
Spring Odd.
SPANISH 465. Special Topics. 3 Credits.
This variable content course will allow students to analyze seminal aspects pertaining to the language, history and cultures of Spain, Latin America and the Spanish-speaking communities in the United States.
P: Major or Minor in Spanish and SPANISH 328; REC: SPANISH 329.
SPANISH 478. Honors in the Major. 3 Credits.
Honors in the Major is designed to recognize student excellence within interdisciplinary and disciplinary academic programs.
P: min 3.50 all cses req for major and min gpa 3.75 all UL cses req for major.
Fall and Spring.
SPANISH 485. Study Abroad:Spain and Latin America. 3-15 Credits.
Students register for this course before departing. Upon return to U.S. they must submit course descriptions and written evaluations from their professors, together with a formal certificate and a letter grade.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
Fall and Spring.
SPANISH 497. Internship. 1-12 Credits.
Supervised practical experience in an organization or activity appropriate to a student's career and educational interests. Internships are supervised by faculty members and require periodic student/faculty meetings.
Fall and Spring.
SPANISH 498. Independent Study. 1-4 Credits.
Independent study is offered on an individual basis at the student's request and consists of a program of learning activities planned in consultation with a faculty member. A student wishing to study or conduct research in an area not represented in available scheduled courses should develop a preliminary proposal and seek the sponsorship of a faculty member. The student's advisor can direct him or her to instructors with appropriate interests. A written report or equivalent is required for evaluation, and a short title describing the program must be sent early inthe semester to the registrar for entry on the student's transcript.
P: fr or so st with cum gpa > or = 2.50; or jr or sr st with cum gpa > or = 2.00.
Fall and Spring.
SPANISH 499. Travel Course. 1-6 Credits.
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
