Bienvenido al programa de Español y Estudios Latinoamericanos (Latin American Studies) en la Universidad de Niagara.  Nuestro programa se basa en la enseñanza del idioma, la cultura y la literatura hispánica haciendo énfasis en la comunicación oral y escrita.  Para fomentar el aprecio y el aprendizaje de la lengua y la cultura, ofrecemos actividades extracurriculares que se desarrollan permanentemente en la universidad.  La “Mesa” de conversación de español, las clases de baile latino, el “Cine-forum” y una serie de invitados especiales que cada semestre, les brinda la oportunidad a los estudiantes de conocer aspectos de la cultura hispánica fuera de la clase.

Además de estas actividades, los estudiantes pueden pertenecer al club llamado “BIENVENIDOS” que está abierto a todos los miembros que se encuentren interesados en aprender acerca de la lengua y la cultura hispánica.  Nuestros estudiantes también pueden tomar clases en español, las que coinciden con las de nuestro programa, para un semestre o un verano en el exterior en: Monterrey, México; Santiago de Chile, Chile; Mar del Plata, Argentina; o Sevilla, España.

Click here to see the Major Requirements for Spanish

Click here for information about the Latin American Studies Minor

Click here for a list of useful links for Spanish

COURSE LISTING

Spanish 101    Elementary Spanish I  (AS)  Basic course in Spanish emphasizing skills in oral and written communication with an introduction to the culture and civilization of the Hispanic world. Open to students with no previous study of Spanish.

Spanish 102    Elementary Spanish II (AS)    Course continues to develop the four basic functions of language begun in Spanish 101: speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading, while stressing vocabulary acquisition, grammar structures, and pronunciation. The culture of the Hispanic world forms much of the content area of the course. Prerequisite:  Spanish 101 or permission of the instructor.

Spanish 103-104    Intermediate Spanish (AS)    Review and expansion of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) through materials reflecting the history, literature, and culture of the Hispanic world.  Prerequisite:  Spanish 102 or permission of the instructor.  This course is required for the major for students enrolled in the College of Education.

Spanish 110    Business Spanish (AS)  An introduction to the vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical constructions appropriate to a Spanish-speaking business setting. In addition to building basic communications skills, the course covers various aspects of Spanish business protocol, commercial terminology, and correspondence. This course would be of interest to students desiring a working knowledge for business relations with the Hispanic world. Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or permission of the instructor.

Spanish 204     Intensive Spanish Grammar Review (AS) Review and expansion of Spanish grammar, as well the development of reading techniques, critical thinking, and writing skills through the study of short literary texts. (3 credit hours)

Spanish 205-206    Advanced Conversational Spanish and Composition (AS)     Development of fluency in the language as well as of the ability to write original compositions and to conduct improvised conversations in Spanish. A large portion of the course content includes literary readings, film screenings, and cultural texts. Prerequisite: Spanish 104 or permission of the instructor. This course is taught in Spanish.  This course is required for the major.

Spanish 305    Civilization and Culture of Spain (H/AS) A survey of the political, social, and artistic history of Spain from the Middle Ages to the present. Readings from representative texts illustrating the interrelatedness of the diverse facets of Spanish civilization.   This course is required for the major.

Spanish 306    Current Issues in the Hispanic World (AS/CD) Through a close examination of current Hispanic language media, students explore topics related to international politics, social structures, and culture within the contemporary Hispanic World.  This course is taught in Spanish.

Spanish 307   Civilization and Culture of Latin America I (H/AS/CD)     A survey of the political, social, and artistic history of Latin America from the pre-Hispanic days up to the Colonial period. Readings emphasize the culture of the Mayas, Aztecs, Incas, and other pre-Columbian peoples and the problems associated with the clash of exogenous cultures. This course is taught in Spanish.  This course is required for the major.

Spanish 319    Special Topics in Hispanic Cinema (H/AS)  A variable topics course which means to introduce students to particular cultural aspects of the Hispanic world through a close study and examination of its films. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 401    Independent Research (WI)  Each student pursues a topic independently under the direction of a faculty advisor. The student must have a written report of his/her findings approved. The approved written report is to be filed with the department chairperson.

Spanish 403-404    Spanish Literature of the Middle Ages and Golden Age (H/AS/WI)    The history of Spanish literature in the Middle Ages and the outstanding figures in the fields of drama, novel, and poetry of the golden Age. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 406    Phonetics (AS)    Intensive study of the sound system, intonation, and accent in Spanish. This course is usually taken abroad.  This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 409-410    Honors Thesis I and II (WI)    Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the student's major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or original project, and an oral defense. All appropriate paperwork must be filed with the department of modern and classical languages, as well as with the university honors program.

Spanish 411-412    Hispanic Literature of the 18th and 19th Centuries (H/AS/WI)    Study and analysis of the thought and literature from the end of the Golden Age to the birth of the Generation of 1898. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 413-414    Twentieth Century Literature (H/AS/WI)    A study of the main trends and most representative authors during the 20th century in Spain and in the fields of the novel, short story, essay, poetry, and drama. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 415-416    Spanish American Authors (H/AS/CD/WI)    A study of the main literary works reflecting the spiritual and intellectual development of Latin America from pre-Columbian to contemporary times. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 417    Translation Laboratory (AS)    Introduction to the techniques and problems of translation. Includes written, consecutive and simultaneous translation as well as subtitling. This course is usually taken abroad. This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 418-419    Advanced Grammar and Stylistics (AS)    Course designed to develop the personal writing style of the student by means of grammatical and stylistic exercises as well as creative and technical writing. These courses are usually taken abroad.  This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 420    Chicano Literature (H/WI/AS) A comprehensive study of Chicano literature and the contributions of Chicanos to the history and culture, both of Mexico and the United States. Students examine the concepts of Chicanos through literature that includes both cultural and historical events. The course also covers the colonial roots of the Chicano identity from the conquest of Mexico in 1519 to the birth of the "Chicano Movement."  This course is taught in Spanish. 

Spanish 425   Senior Seminar (AS/WI)    Research work manifested in oral and written projects in keeping with the area of specialization of individual students.  This course is required for the major for students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Spanish 426    Teaching Assistantship    A student having attained advanced proficiency in Spanish will lead weekly lab sessions as a supplement to Spanish 205-206. These sessions consist of grammar exercises, vocabulary drills, conversational activities, and cultural modules. With a pedagogical supervisor, the student will examine various language acquisition strategies while preparing a cumulative teaching portfolio. This course is taught in Spanish and in English.

Spanish 428    Curso de Perfeccionamiento (AS)    Course designed to provide students who have already attained a level of fluency with opportunity to perfect their skills by means of group work, a teaching assistantship, or individualized project. This course is taught in Spanish.