Spanish

The Academic Program

1. Language courses: Our language courses give students ample opportunity for practice, encouraging the development of communicative proficiency and cultural competency.

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2. Introductory courses: Our writing courses enable students to move toward writing proficiency in Spanish and provide a panoramic view of the literary and cultural histories of the Hispanic world.

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3. Courses Taught in English: Additionally, courses taught in English provide a broader range of students the opportunity to explore this rich literary and cultural heritage.

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4. Advanced Courses and Seminars: These courses delve into specific trends and topics related to the literatures and cultures of Spain, Mexico and Central America, South America, the Hispanic Caribbean, and U.S. Latino/a communities.

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Learning Goals for the Spanish Major and Minor

1. Linguistic Competence. Students will achieve an advanced level of communication in Spanish using a variety of linguistic registers, acquiring a more idiomatic use of the language, and writing accurately and effectively in academic Spanish.

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2. Critical Thinking. Students will develop analytical skills to interpret and appreciate different texts including literature, media and visual arts, and other cultural practices, using various critical and theoretical approaches.

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3. Content Knowledge. Students will acquire knowledge of a range of literary movements and historical periods from Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Hispanic Caribbean, as well as those of Latino/a communities in the United States.

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4. Cultural Awareness. Students will gain an informed appreciation of the complex and diverse cultural, political, and socio-historical processes that shape the Spanish-speaking world.

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Course Major

Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 8 credits of work in courses taught in Spanish numbered 010 and above. Only one of these may overlap with the student’s major or other minor.

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2. All majors must take either SPAN 022 or SPAN 023, except in special cases when the department waives this requirement.

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3. Majors must maintain a curricular balance in their overall program. Students are encouraged to choose courses representing each one of the following areas: Caribbean, Mexico/Central America, South America, and Spain.

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4. AP/IB credits do not count towards the major. (Students -with AP- 4 or 5 Higher IB- 6 or 7 scores- can receive a maximum of one credit toward their general graduation requirements upon successful completion of a Spanish course in the department.)

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5. To ensure the development of Spanish linguistic competence, only courses conducted in Spanish will count toward the major.

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6. During the fall of their senior year, all majors must complete the departmental seminar. Students may enroll in a seminar after completing one advanced course (040-089). Only one seminar counts as two credits toward the major. Seminars taken for one credit, with instructor approval, do not fulfill the major requirement but count as an advanced one-credit course.

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7. Study Abroad Requirement: Students majoring in Spanish are required to engage in an immersion experience in a Spanish-speaking country for at least one semester through an approved program by the Department of Spanish. Only two courses taken abroad that align with the curriculum of the department may count towards fulfilling the major requirements. For full immersion, all courses taken abroad must be conducted in Spanish. Only advanced language courses taken abroad may receive Spanish credit.

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8. Exceptions to the Study Abroad Requirement:

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9. Summer Language Program: In special cases, the study abroad requirement may be fulfilled with a summer-long study abroad program identified and approved by the department, particularly for students with advanced language proficiency. For summer programs, only one relevant course may count towards fulfilling the major or minor.

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10. Bilingual Students: Spanish/English bilingual students who have recently arrived in the U.S. and have received substantial schooling in Spanish, either in Spanish-speaking countries or in the United States, may petition for a waiver of the study abroad requirement. Each case will be evaluated individually by the Spanish faculty.

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11. Exemptions: Students who are unable to fulfill the study abroad requirement due to academic or other constraints should consult with the chair of the Department of Spanish. Exemptions may be granted under exceptional circumstances, such as when other major requirements or compelling reasons prevent participation in a semester or summer abroad program.

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12. Alternative Immersion Activities: Exempted students are required to participate in an internship or another long-term activity (minimum six weeks) that provides Spanish immersion. Upon completion, a detailed report (3-4 pages) must be submitted to the Department of Spanish for formal exemption from the Study Abroad requirement.

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13. Upon returning from abroad, majors must enroll in a one-credit advanced course in the department.

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14. A minimum of four of the eight courses must be taken at Swarthmore.

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15. To graduate with a major in Spanish, a student must maintain a minimum grade of B in the discipline, and a C average in course work outside the department.

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16. SPAN 008

    Spanish Conversation and Composition

    As published: “has been renumbered to SPAN 014. However, SPAN 008 will still count for students who took the course under its previous number.”
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17. Course Policy for Class of 2025 and 2026 Majors: The course taken in English under the rubric LITR/SPAN, as specified in the previous requirements, will count toward the major only for students graduating in the class of 2025 or 2026.

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Culminating Exercise

Acceptance Criteria

Course Minor

Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 5 credits of work in courses taught in Spanish numbered 010 and above. Only one of these may overlap with the student’s major or other minor.

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2. All minors must take either SPAN 022 or SPAN 023 , except in special cases when the department waives this requirement.

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3. Minors must maintain a curricular balance in their overall program. Students are encouraged to choose courses representing the following areas: Caribbean, Mexico/Central America, South America, and Spain.

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4. AP/IB credits do not count towards the minor. (Students -with AP- 4 or 5 Higher IB- 6 or 7 scores- can receive a maximum of one credit toward their general graduation requirements upon successful completion of a Spanish course in the department.)

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5. To ensure the development of Spanish linguistic competence, only courses conducted in Spanish will count toward the minor.

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6. Minors are encouraged to take seminars offered by the department. Students may enroll in a seminar after completing one advanced course (numbered 040 to 089). Seminars count as one credit toward the minor.

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7. Study Abroad Requirement: Students minoring in Spanish are required to engage in an immersion experience in a Spanish-speaking country for at least one semester through an approved program by the Department of Spanish. Only two courses taken abroad that align with the curriculum of the department may count towards fulfilling the minor requirements. For full immersion, all courses taken abroad must be conducted in Spanish. Only advanced language courses taken abroad may receive Spanish credit.

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8. Exceptions to the Study Abroad Requirement:

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9. Summer Language Program: In special cases, the study abroad requirement may be fulfilled with a summer-long study abroad program identified and approved by the department, particularly for students with advanced language proficiency. For summer programs, only one relevant course may count towards fulfilling the major or minor.

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10. Bilingual Students: Spanish/English bilingual students who have recently arrived in the U.S. and have received substantial schooling in Spanish, either in Spanish-speaking countries or in the United States, may petition for a waiver of the study abroad requirement. Each case will be evaluated individually by the Spanish faculty.

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11. Exemptions: Students who are unable to fulfill the study abroad requirement due to academic or other constraints should consult with the chair of the Department of Spanish. Exemptions may be granted under exceptional circumstances, such as when other major requirements or compelling reasons prevent participation in a semester or summer abroad program.

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12. Alternative Immersion Activities: Exempted students are required to participate in an internship or another long-term activity (minimum six weeks) that provides Spanish immersion. Upon completion, a detailed report (3-4 pages) must be submitted to the Department of Spanish for formal exemption from the Study Abroad requirement.

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13. Upon returning from study abroad, minor must enroll in a one-credit advanced course in the department.

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14. To graduate with a minor in Spanish, a student must maintain a minimum grade of B in the discipline, and a C average in course work outside the department.

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Acceptance Criteria

Honors Major and Minor

Requirements

1. A “B+” average in Spanish coursework at Swarthmore.

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2. Completion at Swarthmore of either SPAN 022 or SPAN 023 (except in cases when the department waives this requirement or approves a similar course taken abroad) and one course numbered 040 to 089.

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3. Completion of one semester of study in a Spanish-speaking country in a program approved by the Department of Spanish. (Depending on their linguistic proficiency, as evaluated by the Spanish faculty, honors majors and minors may petition to have the requirement waived or fulfilled with a summer-long study abroad program.)

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4. Demonstrated linguistic ability in Spanish in academic settings.

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5. Present fields for external examination based on Honors seminars offered by the department. (In exceptional cases, a two-course combination approved by the department might be used as an Honors preparation. Students must consult with their sophomore plan advisor and/or department chair.)

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6. All majors in the Honors Program must do three (3) preparations for a total of six units of credit while all minors must complete one (1) preparation consisting of two units of credit.

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7. Honors majors and minors must submit a Senior Honors Study (SHS) portfolio to be assessed by the examiner(s).

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Senior Honors Study

The Honors Exam for Majors and Minors

Application Process Notes

Majors with Partner Departments

Major in Spanish and Educational Studies

1. Course Major in Spanish and Educational Studies

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2. Course Major in Spanish and Educational Studies with PA Spanish Teacher Certification

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3. Course Major in Spanish, and Educational Studies Minor with PA Spanish Teacher Certification

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4. For further information about the relevant requirements, please refer to the academic requirements chart that appears below, and read the section PA Teacher Certification on the Educational Studies Department website (which also discusses how students can explore whether PA certification will transfer to other states).

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Major in Linguistics and Languages

1. 3 credits numbered above 022.

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2. One of the 3 credits must be SPAN 022 or SPAN 023 but not both.

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3. To ensure the development of Spanish linguistic competence, only courses conducted in Spanish will count toward the fulfillment of the 3-credit requirement.

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4. In special circumstances, by permission of the Department of Spanish, SPAN 014 could count toward the 3-credit requirement.

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5. If the student is pursuing off-campus study in a Spanish speaking country, only one literature course taken abroad that pertains to the curriculum of the Department of Spanish may count toward fulfillment of the three-credit requirement. For full immersion, all courses taken abroad must be taken in Spanish. (Advanced language courses taken abroad may receive Spanish credit but will not count toward the special major’s three-credit requirement.)

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Requirements for the Major in Spanish and Educational Studies

1. Students must complete 6 credits of work in courses numbered 014 and above. None of these courses may be taught in English.

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2. Only one of the following courses may count toward the 6-credits requirement: SPAN 012 or SPAN 014. One of the 6 credits must be SPAN 022 or SPAN 023 .

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3. One credit special major thesis in Educational Studies and Spanish.

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4. One semester/summer abroad in a Spanish speaking country in a program approved by the Department of Spanish. Only two courses taken abroad may count toward the 6 credit requirement. (For summer programs, only one relevant course taken abroad may count towards fulfillment of the major.) This requirement may be waived; consult the catalogue/department for study abroad waiver information.

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5. Students must complete 5 credits in Educational Studies.

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Requirements for the Major in Spanish and Educational Studies with PA Spanish Teacher Certification

1. Students must complete 6 credits of work in courses numbered SPAN 008 and above.

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2. Only one of the following courses may count toward the 6-credits requirement: SPAN 008 or SPAN 012 . One of the 6 credits must be SPAN 022 or SPAN 023 .

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3. One of the 6 credits may be taken in English from the courses listed under “Spanish Courses Taught in English” (LITR.S) that appear below.

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4. One credit special major thesis in Educational Studies and Spanish.

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5. One semester/summer abroad in a Spanish speaking country in a program approved by the Department of Spanish. Only two courses taken abroad may count toward the 8 credit requirement. (For summer programs, only one relevant course taken abroad may count towards fulfillment of the major.) This requirement may be waived; consult the catalogue/department for study abroad waiver information.

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PreK-12 Spanish Teacher Certification

The Language Requirement

1. A. successfully studied 3 years of a single foreign language during grades 9 through 12 (work done before grade 9 cannot be counted, regardless of the course level);

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2. B. successfully completing the final term of a college-level, year-long, introductory foreign language course or a semester-long intermediate or advanced foreign language course; or

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3. C. for students who have learned English as a foreign language; demonstrate proficiency in another language. Part C of the ways to fulfill the foreign language requirement before admission to Swarthmore applies to international students - specifically those who learned English as a foreign language while maintaining demonstrable proficiency in another language. To meet this requirement, you must have completed formal education in that foreign language at the high school level, equivalent to the standards outlined in Part A.

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Spanish Placement Test

1. First-year students and new transfer students must log into Moodle after July 11 and select the New Student Orientation course. In the Placement Exams section of the course, you will find detailed instructions on how to access placement exams. It is important that you complete the language survey that appears at the beginning of the test. Upon completion of the exam, students can register in the designated course during the registration period, unless an oral interview is required.

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2. If an oral interview is needed, the department will contact you in August for a Zoom interview. Students with placement scores at the extremes of a suggested range should consult the course instructor to discuss other factors before shifting to a higher- or lower-level course.

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3. Upper-class students interested in taking the test should contact the Department of Spanish for information and instructions at spanish@swarthmore.edu.

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Advancement Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

1. Placement:

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2. Take the online Spanish placement test.

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3. Complete the language survey included at the beginning of the test.

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4. Registration: Register for the appropriate Spanish course during the designated registration period, unless an oral interview is required.

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5. Credit:

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6. Students will receive a maximum of one credit upon successful completion of a Spanish course at Swarthmore.

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7. This credit is awarded for AP scores of 4 or 5 and IB scores of 6 or 7.

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8. Important Note: Neither AP nor IB credits can be applied towards a Spanish major or minor.

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Off-Campus Study

Academic Benefits of Off-Campus Study

Advising

Pre-Estimation and Final Credit Review

Spanish Courses

1. Students wishing to major or minor in Spanish should plan their program in consultation with the department.

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2. Spanish is the only language used in class discussion, readings, culture, and assignments in all courses, except in LITR courses.

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3. Students must have taken SPAN 022 or 023 before they can take an advanced course in Spanish unless they receive special permission from the instructor.

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4. Courses numbered 040 to 089 belong to the same level of complexity, requiring the same level of preparation. The numbering does not imply a sequence.

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5. Spanish courses taught in English (LITR.S courses) do not count towards the Spanish minor or major.

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6. Students wishing to take seminars (SPAN 103, SPAN 104, SPAN 106, and SPAN 108) must have completed SPAN 022 or SPAN 023, plus at least one course in Spanish numbered 30 and above. Students are admitted to seminars on a case-by-case basis by the instructor according to their overall preparation.

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Language Courses

1. SPAN 001

   Elementary Spanish 001
   1
2. SPAN 002

   Elementary Spanish 002
   1
3. SPAN 002B

   Spanish for Advanced Beginners
   1
4. SPAN 003

   Intermediate Spanish
   1
5. SPAN 004

   Advanced Spanish
   1
6. SPAN 008

   Spanish Conversation and Composition
   1
7. SPAN 014

   Spanish Composition and Conversation
   1

Introductory Courses

1. SPAN 015

   First Year Seminar: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture
   1
2. SPAN 017

   Spanish for Health Professionals
   1
3. SPAN 022

   Introducción a la literatura española
   1
4. SPAN 023

   Introducción a la literatura latinoamericana
   1

Advanced Courses and Seminars

1. SPAN 055

   Puerto Rico y su discurso literario
   1
2. SPAN 060

   Memoria e identidad
   1
3. SPAN 064

   Literatura femenina en el Caribe

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4. SPAN 065

   Comida y cultura en el mundo hispanoamericano
   1
5. SPAN 066

   La voz de la mujer
   1
6. SPAN 067

   Legado artístico y cultural de la Guerra Civil
   1
7. SPAN 069

   Cartografías urbanas
   1
8. SPAN 070

   El cuento latinoamericano: relatos de un continente
   1
9. SPAN 080

   Los hijos de la Malinche: Representaciones culturales de la Revolución Mexicana
   1
10. SPAN 087

    Cruzando fronteras: el cine mexicano de ayer y hoy
    1
11. SPAN 088

    Pasados desgarradores: revolución y trauma en la literatura centroamericana
    1
12. SPAN 103

    Trauma y derechos humanos en la literatura centroamericana
    2
13. SPAN 105

    Federico García Lorca
    2
14. SPAN 106

    Tomás Gutiérrez Alea y el nuevo cine latinoamericano
    2

Courses Taught in English

1. LITR 015S

   First Year Seminar: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture
   1
2. LITR 025S

   Reading Borges: Labyrinths and Forking Paths
   1
3. LITR 049S

   Latino Cityscapes in Literature and Film
   1
4. LITR 052S

   Afro-Caribbean Literature and Visual Culture
   1
5. LITR 057S

   Performing Latinidad: Latinx Theater, Film, and Performance Art
   1
6. LITR 063S

   Latinx Images: Film and Visual Culture
   1
7. LITR 082S

   Mexico Unbound: History, Culture, and Power
   1
8. SPAN 015

   First Year Seminar: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture
   1
9. SPAN 025

   Reading Borges: Labyrinths and Forking Paths
   1
10. SPAN 049

    Latino Cityscapes in Literature and Film
    1
11. SPAN 052

    Afro-Caribbean Literature and Visual Culture
    1
12. SPAN 057

    Performing Latinidad: Latinx Theater, Film, and Performance Art
    1
13. SPAN 063

    Latinx Images: Film and Visual Culture
    1
14. SPAN 082

    Mexico Unbound: History, Culture, and Power
    1

Spanish Courses Not Currently Offered

1. SPAN 020

   The Latin American Short Story
   1
2. SPAN 051

   Cuba contemporánea: utopía, revolución y reforma
   1
3. SPAN 052

   Afro-Caribbean Literature and Visual Culture
   1
4. SPAN 053

   Memorias a la deriva. El Caribe y sus diásporas
   1
5. SPAN 056

   Don Quijote
   1
6. SPAN 057

   Performing Latinidad: Latinx Theater, Film, and Performance Art
   1
7. SPAN 061

   El “otro”: voces y miradas múltiples
   1
8. SPAN 062

   The Politics of Latinx Art and Activism
   1
9. SPAN 075

   Debates in Latinx Culture: Today and Tomorrow
   1
10. SPAN 078

    Laberintos borgeanos
    1
11. SPAN 079

    García Márquez y su huella
    1
12. SPAN 084

    México 1968: La violencia del Estado de ayer y hoy
    1
13. SPAN 101

    Alejo Carpentier
    2
14. SPAN 103

    Trauma y derechos humanos en la literatura centroamericana
    2
15. SPAN 108

    Borges y sus laberintos
    2

Application Process Notes