In light of the significant changes taking place in our present day world and the need for greater international understanding and cooperation, one cannot overestimate the importance of foreign language study. The courses and laboratory work in foreign languages at Birmingham-Southern College are designed to help students attain a degree of written and oral proficiency. Furthermore, in studying a foreign language, students develop an appreciation of another culture, and in doing so they gain new insights into their own culture as well.

Students are encouraged to complement their coursework in a foreign language with various on- and off-campus experiences: dining with faculty and students at the language tables, attending foreign films, taking part in a service learning trip or other special interest trip during the interim term in a country where their target language is spoken, and participating in an approved foreign study program.

The program for Spanish majors and minors aims at developing the following main objectives: (a) an advanced degree of proficiency in the language which enables the student to communicate effectively with native speakers; (b) a sound understanding of Hispanic culture; and (c) a basic, introductory understanding of Hispanic literature and methods of literary analysis. Attention is given not only to Spain and Latin America, but to the Hispanic United States as well. Students majoring or minoring in Spanish are able to choose electives among course offerings in either Hispanic culture or literature, so that they may design a program of study which best meets their interests and needs.

Spanish majors are strongly advised to adopt an appropriate cognate program-as either a minor or double major. Proficiency in Spanish is particularly useful for students planning careers in teaching (university, secondary, and bilingual), international business, health care, social work, foreign service, and research and technology. In addition, the rapidly growing Hispanic population in many regions of this country underscores the advantages of having a knowledge of Spanish.

Students may earn credit in Spanish at Birmingham-Southern through the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs. A score of four or more on either the grammar or the literature AP examination or a score of five or more on the IB examination will satisfy the general education requirement in foreign language at the College and will also earn credit for the student in the appropriate language course. See the section Credit by Examination for a full description of the policy.
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Major Requirements

SN 300
SN 315
SN 401 and 402
one unit in SN culture
five elective units in SN at the 270 level or above
SN 499

Minor Requirements

SN 300
SN 315
one unit in SN literature at the 400 level
one unit in SN culture at the 300 level
one elective unit in SN at the 270 level or above

Courses in Spanish

SN 101 Elementary Spanish I (1)

An introduction to the sounds and structure of the language as well as to the culture of Hispanic peoples. Skills emphasized are reading, writing, speaking, and oral comprehension. Prerequisite: Consent. Fall.

 

SN 102 Elementary Spanish II (1)

A continuation of SN 101. Work in the language laboratory is required. Prerequisite: SN 101 or consent. Spring.

 

SN 201 Fundamentals of Spanish Grammar (1)

A review of the fundamentals of grammar designed primarily for students who have had only one or two years of language on the high school level. Prerequisite: Placement. Fall, Spring.

 

SN 220 Intermediate Spanish (1)

Building on beginning Spanish, this course thoroughly reviews basic grammar concepts, builds vocabulary, and further develops all four language skills. Prerequisite: SN 102, 201 or consent. Fall, Spring.

 

SN 270 Tertulia española (1)

Instruction and practice in oral comprehension and speaking. Conversation is based on realia (newspapers, magazines, videos). The course emphasizes oral proficiency and awareness of modern culture. Prerequisite: SN 220 or consent. Fall.

 

SN 280 Estrategias para leer (1)

An introduction to Spanish literature as well as to the skills and methods needed to read literature in the Spanish language. This course provides practice in and application of these skills using a variety of genres. The course increases reading proficiency and prepares students for 400-level literature courses. (Does not satisfy general education requirement in literature.) Prerequisite: SN 220 or consent. Spring.

 

SN 300 Advanced Conversation (1)

Intensive audio lingual practice in the classroom and language laboratory, phonetics, oral reports, discussion groups. Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent. Fall, 2002.

 

SN 315 Advanced Grammar and Composition (1)

A detailed analysis of grammar and intensive practice in composition. Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent. Fall 2001, 2003.

 

SN 333 Spanish Across the Curriculum (¼)

Directed readings in the language in conjunction with a course in another discipline. May be taken more than once for credit providing that the disciplinary course is different. Prerequisite: SN 220 or equivalent and consent.

 

SN 340 Cinema in Spain and Latin America (1)

A critical study of representative Spanish and Latin American films. Prerequisite:
SN 270, 280, or consent.

 

SN 350 Latinos in the United States (1)

A study of the Latino presence in the United States from the country's inception through the present day. Readings and class discussions highlight the contributions, struggles, and general characteristics of the Latino community in the United States. Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent.

 

SN 360 Spanish Civilization (1)

A study of the culture of Spain from a variety of viewpoints: historical, literary, sociological, anthropological, and political. Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent.

 

SN 365 Latin American Civilization (1)

A study of the culture of Spanish speaking America from a variety of viewpoints: historical, literary, sociological, anthropological, and political. Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent.

 

SN 370 Special Topics in Culture (1)

An in depth study of a faculty selected topic on some aspect of Hispanic culture. Topics may concentrate on a geographic region of the Hispanic world or on a particular cultural phenomenon common to several areas (for example, machismo or the role of the military). Prerequisite: SN 270, 280, or consent.

 

SN 398 Teaching Experience in Spanish (1)

Prerequisite: Consent. Offered upon request.

 

SN 400 Introduction to Textual Analysis (1)

Study and application of the techniques of textual analysis. Attention is given to the four basic genres: narrative prose, drama, poetry, and the essay. Prerequisite: SN 280 or consent. Spring.

 

SN 401 Panorama of Spanish Literature (1)

An introduction to Spain's literature written from the Middle Ages to the present. Selected works, which include poetry, prose, and drama, emphasize literature as a reflection of Spanish society of the period. Prerequisite: SN 280 or 400. Spring.

 

SN 402 Panorama of Latin American Literature (1)

An introduction to Latin American literature written from colonial times to the present. Selected works, which include poetry, prose, and drama, reflect the Latin American society of the period. Prerequisite: SN 280 or 400. Fall.

 

SN 495 Special Topics in Literature (1)

An in-depth study of a faculty-selected topic in literature, either from Spain, Latin America, or the Latino United States. Topics may concentrate on the works of a particular author or on a common theme running through the selected works of several authors. Prerequisite: SN 400 or above.

 

SN 498 Teaching Experience in Spanish (1)

Prerequisite: Consent. Offered upon request.

 

SN 499 Senior Project in Spanish (1)

An independent research project on a literary or cultural topic pertaining to the Spanish language. A substantial paper that demonstrates an advanced degree of proficiency in the written expression of the language and an oral presentation are required. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. Interim.