Modern Languages and Literatures – Spanish

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo

Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Humanities Building, Room 475
Phone: (415) 338-1421
Website: mll.sfsu.edu/spanish-program

Chair: Charles Egan
Program Coordinator: Ana Luengo Palomino
Undergraduate Advisors: Gustavo Calderón (A-H), Michael Hammer (I-P), Ana Luengo Palomino (Q-Z)
Graduate Advisor: Michael Hammer

Program Scope

The Spanish program offers a Bachelor of Arts, a minor, and a Master of Arts in Spanish. At the undergraduate level, coursework in linguistics, culture, and civilization are aimed at improving one’s understanding of the language and the people who speak it.

An ever-increasing Spanish-speaking population has made Spanish the second most spoken language in the state of California and other states of the Union. The study and knowledge of this language, therefore, offers career alternatives in practically all fields of work and is an asset when seeking employment.

Professor

Gustavo Adolfo Calderon (1989), Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. University of Iowa.

Associate Professor

Michael Hammer (2003), Associate Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles.

Assistant Professor

Ana Luengo (2015), Assistant Professor in Modern Languages and Literatures. Ph.D. Hamburg Universität.

SPAN 101 First Semester Spanish (Units: 4)

Introduction to understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

SPAN 102 Second Semester Spanish (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or equivalent.

Understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish; Spanish.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

SPAN 150 Don Quixote as Self-Made Superhero: Art and Life in an Unjust World (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2* or permission of the instructor.

A writing-intensive course examining Don Quixote through the lens of 21st-century popular culture. Building on the skills acquired in Written English Communication (A2), learn and practice the components of effective arguments: analyzing genre, audience, and purpose, as well as how to draft and give feedback. Reflection on contemporary issues of identity, social justice, well being and the relationship between fiction and life itself through writing and deep reading of the novel.
(This course is offered as SPAN 150 and MLL 150. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • E: Lifelong Learning Develop

SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish I (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 102; placement by an advisor; or permission of the instructor.

Intermediate course that reinforces and builds on four skills (listening, understanding, reading, and writing) learned in SPAN 101/SPAN 102.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

SPAN 206 Intermediate Spanish II (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 205*; placement by the advisor; or permission of the instructor.

Continuation of SPAN 205 which reinforces and builds on four skills (listening, understanding, reading, and writing) learned in SPAN 101 and SPAN 102.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

SPAN 215 Spanish for Heritage Speakers (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Spanish heritage learner and permission of the instructor.

Designed for heritage language learners with an emphasis on conversation, writing styles, and specific grammatical problems. Additional focus on short stories, essays, poems, plays, newspaper articles, and films, all in Spanish.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

SPAN 217 Spanish for Health Care Professionals (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Two semesters of lower-division Spanish or SPAN 215 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.

Explore and analyze healthcare disparities affecting Spanish-speaking populations with a focus on socio-economic, linguistic, and cultural factors to develop an awareness of the impact of systemic issues on healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities. Develop cultural competence by adapting their language and communication styles to respect diverse backgrounds and perspectives within the Spanish-speaking community, particularly in the context of healthcare practices and beliefs. Learn to advocate for equitable healthcare practices and contribute to addressing disparities. [Formerly SPAN 316]

Course Attributes:

  • B2: Life Science
  • Social Justice

SPAN 223 Bilingual English and Spanish Newswriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Written and verbal fluency in Spanish. Language assessment test.

Development of news judgment, basic reporting, and clear writing skills for Spanish-language media, media produced in both English and Spanish, and media focused on Spanish-speaking cultures. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 223 and SPAN 223. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
  • Global Perspectives

SPAN 224 Newswriting Lab in Spanish (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A2 and A3.

Basic grammar, spelling and punctuation in Spanish applied to news writing. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 224 and SPAN 224. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

SPAN 301 Advanced Grammar (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Four semesters of lower-division Spanish or equivalent.

Problematic aspects of Spanish grammar; practice in expository writing.

SPAN 305 Advanced Composition (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or consent of instructor.

Practice in expository writing: forms, development, and organization of the short essay including the study of style.

SPAN 306 Advanced Reading and Conversation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or permission of the instructor.

Oral presentations/group discussions based on readings from novels, plays, and poetry. Not designed for native-level speakers.

SPAN 323 Editing and Translation for Bilingual Spanish Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 301* with a grade of C or permission of the instructor.

Theoretical and practical aspects of translation applied to news writing. Exercises in translating Spanish to English and vice-versa. Conducted in both Spanish and English. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 323 and SPAN 323. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

SPAN 326 Applied Spanish Linguistics: Morphology and Syntax (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or equivalent.

Application of modern descriptive linguistics to the study of morphology and syntax.

SPAN 341 Introduction to the Reading of Literary Texts (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the reading and analysis of literary texts.

SPAN 350 Introduction to Translation (Spanish to English) (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Native fluency in English and moderate competency in understanding, speaking, and reading Spanish.

Theoretical and practical aspects of translation. Exercises in translating Spanish to English. Conducted in both Spanish and English.

SPAN 371GW History and Development of the Spanish Language - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2.

Examination of the historical, social, political, cultural forces that shaped the development of the Spanish language from its Indo-European prehistory to its modern worldwide diffusion. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC not allowed) [Formerly SPAN 571]

Course Attributes:

  • Graduation Writing Assessment

SPAN 401 Culture and Civilization of Spain (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 (may be taken concurrently).

Culture and civilization of Spain from the Middle Ages to the present. [Formerly SPAN 401GW]

SPAN 405 Culture and Civilization of Spanish America (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or equivalent.

Background for Spanish American literature.

SPAN 407 Food and Culture in the Spanish-Speaking World (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or permission of the instructor.

Group and individual cultural identity is intimately connected with the foods we eat and what we avoid eating. Explore the history, culture, and signifying power of food in the Spanish-speaking world, from medieval and pre-Columbian food practices to the dynamics of food and culture in the contemporary Hispanic world.

SPAN 521 Spanish Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

Exploration of one or more topics relevant to medieval and early modern Spanish literature. Topics to be specified in the class schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Spanish Medieval Literature
  2. Literature of Pilgrimage

SPAN 523 19th Century Spanish Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

Romanticism, realism, naturalism, and modernism in Spain.

SPAN 525 The Contemporary Spanish Novel (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

The contemporary Spanish novel through five of its most representative authors in a selection of novels covering the last decade.

SPAN 531 Creative Writing in Spanish: Poetry, Fiction, and Drama (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or permission of the instructor.

Reading and analysis of literary texts from Spain and Latin America. Practice in writing poetry, fiction, and plays in Spanish. Improve writing skills while practicing creative writing and performing in front of others. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC grading allowed)
(This course is offered as SPAN 531 and LTNS 531. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

SPAN 543 Spanish American Literature: Romanticism to Modernism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

A study of the most representative works of the leading Spanish American writers of the second part of the 20th century in poetry, essay, short story, and novel.

SPAN 545 20th Century Spanish American Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

Exploration of one or more topics of 20th century and contemporary Latin American literature. Topics to be specified in the class schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Latin American Narrative
  2. Spanish American Short Story
  3. Countryside and City in Latin American Literature
  4. Literature and Barbarism

SPAN 562 Cervantes: The Quijote (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

Reading and analysis of Don Quijote.

SPAN 580 Hispanic Women Writers (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

An exploration of Peninsular and Latin American literature, mainly written by women that focuses on gender and femininity.

SPAN 595 Senior Survey in Spanish or Spanish American Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: SPAN 341 or equivalent.

Advanced survey of Spanish or Latin American literature. Topics to be specified in the class schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Senior Survey in Spanish American Literature
  2. Senior Survey in Spanish and Latin American Lit

SPAN 615 Applied Linguistics: Principles and Methods in Teaching Spanish (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: MLL 325 and SPAN 301; or graduate Spanish students; or permission of the instructor.

Discussion of both general and Spanish linguistics as well as how native and non-native speakers learn the Spanish language. Examination of past and current trends in language pedagogy to better inform choices in course preparation, lesson planning, and curriculum decisions. Topics include error correction, fluency vs. accuracy, language transfer, and learnability. Examination of commercial textbooks and their assumptions about language learning.

SPAN 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair and instructor.

Special topics in Spanish. Written projects requiring critical analysis and interpretation of linguistic or literary problems. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

SPAN 821 Seminar in Spanish Literary Genres (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Spanish students or permission of the instructor.

Focus on a specific literary genre in Spanish or Latin American literature. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Contemporary Spanish American Novel
  2. Spanish Theater
  3. Spanish Lyric Poetry
  4. The Picaresque
  5. Spanish American Short Story

SPAN 831 Seminar in Literary Movements or Periods (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Spanish M.A. students; advanced Spanish level; or permission of the instructor.

Focus on a particular literary movement or period in Spanish or Latin American literature. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. [CSL may be available]

Topics:

  1. Latin American Literature and Identities
  2. Aesthetics in Modern Latin American Fiction
  3. Spanish Medieval Literature
  4. Spanish Renaissance Literature
  5. Political Commitment and Poetry in Spain
  6. Historical Memory from a Transatlantic Perspective

SPAN 850 Seminar-Spanish and Latin American Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Spanish students or permission of the instructor.

Focus on a topic, theme, or problem specific to Spanish or Latin American literature. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to, questions of class, gender, race, national identity, etc. Topics to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated as topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Modernization & Borders in Mexican Literature
  2. Latin America Coming of Age Narrative
  3. Latin American Bestiaries
  4. Mass, Multitudes, Populations in Latin Am. Lit
  5. Realism & Naturalism: A Transatlantic Perspective

SPAN 851 Seminar in Medieval, Early Modern Peninsular, and Colonial Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Spanish MA students or permission of the instructor.

Critical examination of literary texts and other cultural products from the Medieval and Early Modern periods of Spain and the Conquest/Colonial period of Latin America. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Golden Age Spanish Theater
  2. Medieval Spanish Narrative
  3. Chronicles of Conquest and Colonial Latin America
  4. Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Narrative

SPAN 868 Contemporary Literature from a Transatlantic Approach (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Spanish students or permission of the instructor.

Focus on topics having to do with contemporary cultural production (Literature, Cinema, Art, and Theater) in Spanish and Latin American literature from a transatlantic perspective. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Historical Memory from a Transatlantic Approach
  2. Commitment & Culture in the Spanish Speaking World
  3. A Purple Wave: Feminism and Culture
  4. LGBT Revolution & Culture in Spain & Latin America

SPAN 880 Seminar in Individual Authors or Works (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Graduate Spanish students or permission of the instructor.

Focus on topics having to do with individual authors and works in Spanish or Latin American literature. Topics to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

Topics:

  1. Cumbres of Spanish Literature
  2. Cumbres of Spanish American Literature

SPAN 896EXM Culminating Experience Examination (Units: 0-3)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, committee chair, and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

Enrollment in 896EXAM required for students whose culminating experience consists of an examination only. (CR/NC, RP)

SPAN 898 Master's Thesis (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Arts in Spanish and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies.

Thesis must be written in Spanish. Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration. (CR/NC, RP grading only)

SPAN 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisites: Graduate Spanish students; permission of the graduate major adviser and supervising faculty member. Enrollment by petition.

Study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a member of the department faculty. Open only to graduate students who have demonstrated the ability to do independent work. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.