Courses - Fall 2025
SPAN103
Elementary Spanish for Intercultural Communication I
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have appropriate World Language Placement (WLP) score.
Restriction: Must not be a native/fluent speaker of Spanish. Native/fluent speakers of Spanish or students who have previously attended school in Spanish speaking countries should take the WLP and see the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor to identify the correct Spanish course for which to register.
Credit only granted for: SPAN102 or SPAN103.
Develops students' communicative competence at the novice mid/high level of proficiency. Introduces students to global Hispanophone cultures.
SPAN203
Elementary Spanish for Intercultural Communication II
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN103; or must have appropriate World Language Placement (WLP) score.
Restriction: Must not be a native/fluent speaker of Spanish. Native/fluent speakers of Spanish or students who have previously attended school in Spanish speaking countries should take the WLP and see the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor to identify the correct Spanish course for which to register.
Continues to develop students' communicative competence at the novice high/intermediate low level of proficiency. Furthers the introduction to global Hispanophone cultures.
SPAN204
Intermediate Spanish for Intercultural Communication
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN203; or must have appropriate World Language Placement (WLP) score.
Restriction: Must not be a native/fluent speaker of Spanish. Native/fluent speakers of Spanish or students who have previously attended school in Spanish speaking countries should take the WLP and see the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor to identify the correct Spanish course for which to register.
Further develops students' communicative competence at the intermediate mid/high level of proficiency. Fosters expanded knowledge of and appreciation for global Hispanophone cultures.
SPAN206
Spanish for Heritage Speakers I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Native or near native knowledge of and no formal education in Spanish.
Review of oral and written Spanish for students who have native or near native knowledge of, but no formal education in Spanish. Taught in Spanish.
Students new to language courses in SLLC must take the Foreign Language Placement Test in order to register.
SPAN207
Reading and Writing in Spanish
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SPAN204; or must have appropriate World Language Placement Test (WLPT) score.
Selected readings with emphasis on reading comprehension and the development of reading strategies. Work in composition writing and a review of selected grammatical topics. Complements material of SPAN204.
SPAN234
Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Studies I
Cross-listed with: LACS234, PORT234.
Credit only granted for: LASC234, PORT234, SPAN234, or LACS234.
Formerly: LASC234.
Interdisciplinary study of major issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Latin America's cultural mosaic, migration and urbanization. Democratization and the role of religions. Taught in English.
SPAN234H
Issues in Latin American and Caribbean Studies I
Cross-listed with: LACS234, PORT234.
Credit only granted for: LASC234, PORT234, SPAN234, or LACS234.
Formerly: LASC234.
Interdisciplinary study of major issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Latin America's cultural mosaic, migration and urbanization. Democratization and the role of religions. Taught in English.
Open to Honor students only.
SPAN301
Advanced Grammar and Composition I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SPAN207.
Practice of complex grammatical structures through reading and writing of compositions and essays. Specific lexical, syntactic, rhetorical, and stylistic devices will be highlighted.
SPAN303
Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World
Prerequisite: SPAN301.
Recommended: May elect to take SPAN311 and/or SPAN316 in same semester as SPAN303.
Development of proficiency in critical thought through the reading, viewing, and analytical discussion of major genres and styles of cultural materials selected from Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN306
Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN206.
Practice of complex grammatical structures through reading and writing of compositions and essays. Specific lexical, syntactic, rhetorical and stylistic devices will be highlighted. Designed for Spanish speakers educated in English. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN311
Advanced Communication I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN301; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SPAN303.
Restriction: Must not be a native/fluent speaker of Spanish.
Further development of listening, speaking, and writing skills in Spanish. Opportunity to develop oral and written fluency, improve pronunciation and increase vocabulary. Individual and/or group oral presentations. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN316
Spanish Translation I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN301; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in SPAN303.
Translation of texts into Spanish and/or English. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN325
Hispanic Linguistics I: Grammar and Society
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
Credit only granted for: SPAN310 or SPAN325.
Formerly: SPAN310.
Sociolinguistic approach to Spanish grammar focusing on real-life exploration of the ways linguistic structures change and are used in different parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN331
Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature I: Medieval Times
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
The exploration of cultures of the Iberian Peninsula from its origins until the 15th century as well as the study of historical and political events that gave rise to the Spanish state. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN333
Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature III: Modern Times
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
An overview of cultural and literary production of Spain from the late 17th century through the present day, exploring the production of literary texts in their socio-historical, political, religious and cultural contexts and development. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN359E
Spanish for the Professions; Performing U.S. Latina/e/o Experiences
Credits:
3 - 9
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Introduction to the ways that Latina/e/o artists and activists have used music, literature, theater, performance art, film, and social media to document, represent, and engage with their communities as they have shown up and spoken out throughout the United States.
SPAN361
Latin American Literatures and Cultures I: From Pre-Columbian to Colonial Times
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
Overview of cultural history of Latin America from pre-Columbian civilizations to the Colonial period, exploring the foundations of the Spanish American cultural and literary tradition to approximately 1770. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN363
Latin American Literatures and Cultures III: From Modernism to Neo-Liberalism
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
An overview of cultural and literary production of Latin America from the late 19th through the early 21st centuries, exploring the production of literary texts in their socio-historical, political, and cultural contexts and development. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN370
Spanish for Business I
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
Credit only granted for: SPAN315 or SPAN370.
Formerly: SPAN315.
Business Spanish terminology, vocabulary and practices. Emphasis on everyday spoken and written Spanish. Readings and discussions of Spanish commercial topics. May include exposure to Spanish commercial topics. May include exposure to Spanish business environments. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN371
Spanish for the Health Professions
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316).
Exploration of cultural and linguistic skills for the health professions including vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading and strategies. No experience in the professional area necessary. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN372
Spanish and the Law
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN311 or SPAN316.
Credit only granted for: SPAN372 or SPAN359O.
Formerly: SPAN359O.
Offers students the opportunity to enhance Spanish linguistic and intercultural communication skills in contexts of legal practice through the translation of a variety of legal documents. Introduces Spanish legal terminology in areas such as immigration, consumer protection, and criminal/employment/housing/family law. Students will learn how to apply these language and cultural skills as future legal practitioners interacting with clients who possess limited English proficiency. Native or fluent guest participants will expose students to legal terminology, registers, and dialects from various Spanish-speaking countries. The goal of the class is to enable students to, at a minimum, conduct intake interviews in a culturally competent fashion with Spanish-speaking clients without the assistance of interpreters. The course is designed to be beneficial for students with varying levels of Spanish language ability, up to and including students who are native or heritage speakers of Spanish. Taught in Spanish
SPAN373
Spanish in the Media
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316). Or permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: SPAN373 or SPAN359A.
Formerly: SPAN359A.
Exploration of Spanish in current events in the Hispanic world in local and international press and varied media, and production of journalistic articles.
SPAN374
Spanish in the Community
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and (SPAN311 or SPAN316). Or permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: SPAN374 or SPAN359B.
Formerly: SPAN359B.
Provides students with context for understanding, communicating with, and working with the Spanish-speaking community. Topics include Latino/a demographics, cultures, communities, work opportunities and local uses of Spanish. Requires outside service-learning work.
SPAN386
Experiential Learning
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Permission of ARHU-School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
SPAN388W
Writing Center Internship
Prerequisite: Permission of the Writing Center (1205 Tawes Hall). Repeatable to 12 credits.
Cross-listed with: ENGL388W.
Credit only granted for: ENGL388W or SPAN388W.
Examines face-to-face and online writing center theory and practice through readings, exercises, and supervised tutoring. Students investigate the writing process and help other writers to negotiate it.
SPAN399
Independent Study in Spanish
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: permission of department.
SPAN422
Intercultural Communication and Negotiation
Prerequisite: SPAN370 OR SPAN371 OR SPAN373 OR SPAN 374.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
Focuses on the relationship of language and culture of those operating in world markets. Particular attention will be given to intercultural communication, linguistic systems, culture specific perceptions of, and negotiation with, the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN425
Hispanic Linguistics II: Structures of Spanish
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN303; and SPAN311 or SPAN316 or SPAN325.
This course begins with an introduction to general concepts in linguistics, from language function and the brain to communication, culture, and thought, and their relation to other disciplines in the social sciences. The main purpose of this course is to provide an overview of Hispanic linguistics through multiple perspectives, while exploring the areas of Spanish morphology, syntax, and semantics. This course will also focus on the structural tendencies of Spanish through a variety of practical activities. Taught in Spanish.
Jointly offered with SPAN625. Credit granted for SPAN425 or SPAN625.
SPAN440
Speaking Up/Out: Women Writers and Feminist Social Movements in Contemporary Latin America
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN331, SPAN332, SPAN333, SPAN361, SPAN362, or SPAN363; or permission of instructor.
This seminar will explore how feminist subversion of naturalized power relationships has become a social force that is reshaping Latin American culture in the last several decades. Also, we will study how contemporary cultural artifacts contest value systems while rejecting entrenched hierarchies and norms. By reading contemporary women writers and by working on contemporary feminist social movements, this course will explore what the anthropologist Rita Segato has defined as "the war against women." Taught in Spanish.
SPAN450
The Hispanic Caribbean: What is a Beach?
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN333, SPAN361, SPAN331, SPAN332, SPAN362, or SPAN363.
Credit only granted for: SPAN408C or SPAN450.
Formerly: SPAN408C.
Explores the Hispanic Caribbean as "island spaces" of multiple migrations and cultural identities, as sites of colonial experiences and post-colonial debates.
SPAN460
The Sublime and the Grotesque in Spanish Romantic Plays and the Visual Arts
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: SPAN331, SPAN332, SPAN333, SPAN361, SPAN362, or SPAN363; or permission of instructor.
An exploration of the notions of the sublime and the grotesque in theatrical works as well as in the visual arts of the Romantic movement in Spain. Taught in Spanish.
SPAN479
Honors Thesis
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
SPAN495
Honors Reading
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must be in Spanish and Portuguese Honors; or permission of ARHU-School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department.
Supervised reading.
SPAN605
Teaching Spanish I
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of ARHU-School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department.
Restriction: Must be a Spanish teaching assistant.
Methods and materials for teaching Spanish in higher education.
Restricted to SPAP graduate students or by permission of instructor only.
SPAN625
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics I:Basic Concepts
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Introduction to basic terms and definition in Hispanic Linguistics. Fundamental aspects of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.
Jointly offered with SPAN425. Credit granted for SPAN425 or SPAN625.
SPAN699
Independent Study in Spanish
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
SPAN798R
Open Seminar; Borges is the Aleph
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
The Aleph, as Borges reminds us, is a point in space containing all other points. Borges is our literary Aleph. We'll work on some of his major texts; from them we'll draw lines that radiate towards other Latin American works. Student research, anchored in Borges, will seek to reach the landing sites of prose fiction published since the mid-1950s.
SPAN798W
Open Seminar; Spanish Language: A Journey ("El espanol en su devenir")
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Explores the quintessential journey of Spanish language and how classic and other languages paved the linguistic path that native Spanish speakers from the Hispanic world call their own language. The course analyze s Spanish language as a living being (Dasein) and how, throughout times, it reveals its own life and ultimately our human specificity. Students will research the formal, political, social, literary implications present in the writings of contemporary authors and will explain the variations from Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Spanish authors. Students will also discuss how Spanish language was viewed as a political instrument after Latin America s independence wars.
SPAN798Z
Open Seminar; Race and Ethnicity
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Engages students in key concepts and debates about race and ethnicity in Latin America. Through a range of theoretical/critical texts, paired with representative primary texts and other material, we will explore ideas such as limpieza de sangre, the casta system, mestizaje, indigenismo, Afro-Latin American social and cultural movements, and questions of racial and ethnic identities as they have emerged, flourished, or vanished since the European encounter with the Americas.
SPAN799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
SPAN898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
SPAN899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
Flagship Institution of the University System of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
/
Phone:
301.405.1000
Copyright
© 2025 University of Maryland
/
Privacy /
Web Accessibility
Contact us
with comments, questions and feedback
/