Course Descriptions
for Modern Foreign Language

Course Descriptions


SPAN 101-102, ELEMENTARY SPANISH, 4 credits
An introduction to the basics of the language-understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is emphasized. Conducted in Spanish. These courses are for students who have studied less than two years of Spanish in high school. Not for credit toward the major in Spanish.

SPAN 200, INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE SPANISH, 4 credits
A continuation of SPAN 101-102. Designed to cover two semesters of work in one semester. Emphasizes conversational and writing skills and class discussion of outside readings. Conducted in Spanish. Not for credit toward the major in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 102, 110, or equivalent.

SPAN 300, SPANISH FOR THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL, 4 credits
An intermediate conversation course that emphasizes linguistic skills, medical terminology, clinical interviews while incorporating pertinent cultural information necessary for dealing with the Hispanic community. Service Learning/Community Outreach is an important course requirement. Prerequisite: Spanish 200

SPAN 310, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, 4 credits
A course designed to examine the history and culture of Spanish-speaking people in the Caribbean, South America, Spain, and other parts of the world. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 200 or the equivalent.

SPAN 311-312, CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION IN SPANISH, 4 credits
A year sequence reinforcing learned grammatical structures and emphasizing conversation and composition. It should be among the first courses to be taken in the major sequence. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 200 or equivalent.

SPAN 313-314, SURVEY OF SPANISH LITERATURE, 4 credits
A year sequence devoted to the history of Spanish literature and to the reading of outstanding literary works. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 311-312 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 320, BUSINESS LANGUAGE, 4 credits
A course designed to address certain basic needs of the student or entrepreneur who is interested in acquiring language skills pertinent to business. Emphasis will be placed on correspondence, vocabulary-building, conversation, and business translation. The course is conducted in  Spanish and English. Prerequisite: SPAN 200 or the equivalent.

SPAN 330, INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SPANISH, 4 credits
Offered to the exceptional student in lieu of a required course, permitting the student to pursue supervised research into a subject of special interest. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Not a conventional course with a single instructor.

SPAN 340, SURVEY OF LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE, 4 credits
Latin American literature from the colonial period to the present. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 311-312 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 350, CARIBBEAN LITERATURE, 4 credits
The literature of the region, with emphasis on black writers. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 311-312 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 360, THE GOLDEN AGE OF SPANISH LITERATURE, 4 credits
The critical study of the 17th century with emphasis on the drama. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 311-312 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 370, 20TH CENTURY SPANISH LITERATURE, 4 credits
The prose of the current century, particularly the Generation of ’98 and the novel. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 311-312 or permission of instructor.

SPAN 380, Special Topics
Topics are determined by professor and student interests. This course may be repeated if different topics are offered.

FREN 101-102, ELEMENTARY FRENCH, 4 credits
An introduction to the basics of the language: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Grammar is emphasized. Conducted in French. These courses are for students who have studied less than two years of French in high school.

FREN 200, INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE FRENCH, 4 credits
A continuation of FREN 101-102. Designed to cover two semesters of work in one semester. Emphasizes conversational and writing skills and class discussion of outside readings. Conducted in French. Prerequisite: French 102 or 110, or equivalent.

FREN 301, CONTEMPORARY FRENCH CULTURE, 4 credits
An introduction to the institutions and politics of France and French-speaking countries, with attention given to current attitudes and behaviors. Prerequisite: FREN 200 or an equivalent course.

FREN 302, PHONETICS, 4 credits
Introduction to phonetics and drill on the sounds of French and the comprehension of oral French. Prerequisite: FREN 200 or an equivalent course.

FREN 311-312, CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION, 4 credits
Development of speaking and grammatical skills. This course should be taken with or before all other higher-numbered advanced courses and must be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: FREN 200 or an equivalent course.

FREN 313, FRENCH MASTERPIECES I, 4 credits
Readings from Medieval times (in modern French through the French Revolution).

FREN 314, FRENCH MASTERPIECES II, 4 credits
Readings from the nineteenth century through the early twentieth century.

FREN 320, READING FRENCH, 4 credits
A course aimed to develop reading skills. The readings are aimed to meet the need of varying groups of students and include both literacy and nonliterary works. Counts toward the French major.

FREN 350, BLACK FRENCH LITERATURE, 4 credits
A study of the works produced by French-speaking black writers throughout the world. Students who are not concurrently taking or have not completed FREN 311- 312 admitted only with the permission of the instructor.

FREN 360, TWENTIETH CENTURY, 4 credits
An introduction to the French Literature: major authors and intellectual movements of this century.

FREN 370, TOPICS IN FRENCH LITERATURE AND CULTURE, 4 credits
Topics selected by the teacher and student interests. The course may be repeated, if different topics are offered, and may substitute for other major courses with the permission of the department.