Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Why study Spanish and Portuguese?
In the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, we help students to hone their oral and written skills in important global languages and enhance their critical understanding of the world today. According to the Ethnologue, as of 2022, Spanish is the 4th most widely spoken language in the world with approximately 548 million speakers, and 2nd in the number of first-language speakers, with approximately 475 million speakers for whom Spanish is their first language. Spanish is an official language in 21 countries and territories, including the United States, where Spanish is 1 of 2 official languages in Puerto Rico. In the United States, there are approximately 58 million Spanish speakers, including 42 million first-language speakers, 8 million Spanish learners, and 8 million undocumented Spanish speakers.
According to the same source, Portuguese is the 9th most widely spoken language with approximately 258 million speakers worldwide and is the official language in 9 countries. Portuguese is the 6th in number of first-language speakers, with approximately 232 million speakers for whom it is their first language. In the U.S., Portuguese is spoken among the Portuguese, Brazilian, and Cape Verdean communities in a number of states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa, and Kansas.
In the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, we look forward to helping you develop fluency in more than one language as well as an understanding of literary and cultural texts to prepare you to become a global citizen. Our faculty, who are recognized experts in their fields, are committed to teaching and research at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Please visit the department's website for more information about our major (B.A.) in Spanish, minor in Spanish, minor in Brazilian Studies, M.A and Ph.D. programs in Spanish, and Graduate Certificate in Brazilian Studies.
If you have questions about studying Spanish and/or Portuguese at KU, please reach out to the department or relevant contact people listed on these pages.
Undergraduate Programs
The department offers course work for students seeking proficiency in a foreign language and for majors and minors in Spanish, minors in Brazilian Studies, or related fields.
Placement
All students who have studied Spanish in high school or at another institution should take the Spanish Language Placement Exam before enrolling in a 100-level Spanish language course. Students who have had limited study of Spanish (1 to 3 years in high school) will usually be placed into SPAN 104 or SPAN 108, depending on the placement exam score; however, students may enroll in the course that they feel better meets their learning needs. Students who have taken 1 semester of Spanish at another institution of higher learning (equivalent to SPAN 104) and are not placed in the intermediate (200-) level should enroll in SPAN 108.
Students with 2 to 4 years of high school Spanish can be placed in the intermediate level (SPAN 212, SPAN 216, SPAN 220, or SPAN 324) by taking the placement examination and consulting the advising specialist. Students with transfer credit equivalent to SPAN 108 should be placed in SPAN 212 to earn credit toward the CLAS proficiency requirement but may repeat any course when recommended by their advisor.
Heritage speakers should take the placement test and consult with the department's advising specialist about the next steps for placement.
Students registered with the Student Access Center (SAC) should contact them for placement advising.
Students entering KU with previous study of Portuguese should take the Portuguese placement examination administered by the department.
Retroactive Credit
Students with no prior college or university Spanish course credit and who have high school coursework or other experience with Spanish are eligible for retroactive credit according to this formula:
- 3 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a third-level Spanish course (SPAN 212) and receives a grade of C or higher.
- 6 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a fourth-level Spanish course (SPAN 216) and receives a grade of C or higher.
- 9 hours of retroactive credit are awarded to a student who enrolls initially at KU in a 3-credit-hour Spanish course with a fourth-level course as a prerequisite and receives a grade of C or higher.
Students interested in retroactive credit should consult the department before enrolling.
Advising
Majors and minors may consult with the department’s advising specialist and their faculty advisor in the department if they have questions about their program of study.
Candidates for the B.S. in education who are majoring in Spanish or minoring in Brazilian Studies should consult the School of Education and Human Sciences.
Ways to Fulfill the Foreign Language Requirement
Students may fulfill the College foreign language requirement by
Graduate Programs
The department offers a full graduate program leading to the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees. Students who complete their graduate studies with the M.A. degree are well prepared to enter a variety of fields, including international business, teaching, and government. The Ph.D. program takes advantage of the literature specialties of the faculty, and Ph.D. recipients generally go on to university or college teaching.
A detailed description is available from the departmental office as well as the department's website. This includes specific distribution requirements, fields of specialization, and information on the comprehensive examinations. Students should request information and application forms as early as possible, especially if they plan to apply for financial aid.
Students who are interested in enrolling in graduate level coursework in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese without formal admission to a graduate program at KU are encouraged to apply for graduate non-degree seeking student status. See the department’s admissions webpage for further details.
Courses
PORT 104. Elementary Brazilian Portuguese I. 5 Credits. F1
This course introduces students to the essential vocabulary and fundamentals of grammar of Brazilian Portuguese through practice in speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing. Active preparation and participation required. Classes conducted in Portuguese. Emphasis on conversation.
PORT 106. Elementary Brazilian Portuguese, Accelerated I. 3 Credits. F1
Designed for students with intermediate proficiency in Spanish (or with previous work in Portuguese) to acquire proficiency in Portuguese more rapidly. Covers the same material as PORT 104 and PORT 108 and prepares students to intermediate level study of Portuguese. Prerequisite: SPAN 111 or SPAN 108 or consent of instructor.
PORT 108. Elementary Brazilian Portuguese II. 5 Credits. F2
PORT 110. Elementary Brazilian Portuguese, Accelerated II. 3 Credits. F2
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Portuguese. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of Academic Programs and Experiential Learning. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
PORT 212. Intermediate Brazilian Portuguese I. 3 Credits. F3
PORT 220. Intensive Intermediate Brazilian Portuguese. 3-6 Credits. F3/F4
Prehistoric and colonial Portuguese origins of Brazil and its independent development in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Key aspects of economic, political, and social factors; special attention to intellectual history. Readings in English.
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, authors, or themes in Brazilian literary and cultural history. Topics studied always lead to an examination of Brazilian culture and society through the critical study of literature, film, and music, in contrast with aspects of U.S. culture or other Latin American societies. Although the course may cover multiple genres and periods, it always emphasizes the plurality of Brazilian people, its history of slavery and immigration, diverse ethnic composition, rich religious milieu, and complex class system. Students also discuss the differences between the geographical regions in the country, and discuss controversial topics such as racism and religion. Given the historical similarities between the two societies, students must confront the experiences they learn about in Brazil to similar ones in the United States.Course conducted in Portuguese and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Not open to students who have taken PORT 547. Prerequisite: PORT 216 or consent of instructor.
PORT 348. Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture for Business. 3 Credits. FP
Cultural studies approach to contemporary Brazilian society for students interested in business. Explores how Brazilians negotiate their place in a global cultural context and how they perceive business. Readings include selections from literature, history, journalism, social analysis, and popular culture and business. Exercises help English speakers develop analytical skills, as well as vocabulary and communication skills related to business and professional life in Brazil. Not open to students who have taken PORT 548. Prerequisite: PORT 216 or consent of instructor.
PORT 365. Studies in Brazilian Film: _____. 3 Credits. FP
A theoretical and historical approach to Brazilian film with particular attention to thematic concerns, such as cultural and national identity, and of literary discourse. Given in Portuguese or English. May be repeated for credit as topic varies. Students will be expected to attend film screenings in addition to regular class meetings. Not open to students who have taken PORT 565. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
PORT 388. Intermediate Brazilian Portuguese Conversation. 1 Credits.
Conversational reinforcement with an emphasis on oral communication skills in a cultural context. Two class meetings per week. Prerequisite: PORT 212 or consent of instructor.
PORT 394. Special Readings in Brazilian Studies. 1-3 Credits. FP
Direct readings in (a) fields not covered by student's course work, and/or (b) field of student's special interest approved by the department. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Prerequisite: PORT 216 and three-hours upper-division credit in Portuguese, or consent of instructor.
PORT 471. Studies in Brazilian Culture and Civilization: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of Brazilian culture with emphasis on one or more of the following aspects: history, politics, ethnology, anthropology, religious and secular traditions, issues of cultural identity, music, art, architecture, and popular culture. Available only to study-abroad participants. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
PORT 475. Studies in Brazilian Literature: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of the literature of a particular author, group of authors, period, genre, region, or theme. Available only to study-abroad participants. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
PORT 490. Intensive Advanced Portuguese. 3-6 Credits. FP
This is a composition course for students with an intermediate level of the language to develop control of written communication at an advanced level. Advanced composition, conversation, and stylistics, plus an introduction to Brazilian literature. Prerequisite: Four semesters of Portuguese, or consent of instructor.
PORT 540. Textual Analysis and Critical Reading. 3 Credits. FP
Critical readings in Brazilian literary and cultural studies, focused on the interpretation of Brazilian cultural expressions and developing the skills and vocabulary for discussing and writing critical analyses. Conducted in Portuguese. Prerequisite: Grade of A or B in PORT 216 or consent of instructor.
PORT 547. Brazilian Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
PORT 548. Portuguese Language and Brazilian Culture for Business. 3 Credits. FP
PORT 565. Studies in Brazilian Film: _____. 3 Credits. FP
PORT 611. Accelerated Basic Portuguese for Spanish Speakers. 3 Credits.
Contrastive phonological and morphological analysis of standard Spanish and the major dialect of Brazilian Portuguese, followed by a presentation of major grammatical and phonological stumbling blocks for Spanish speakers. Drills on grammar, syntax, and pronunciation emphasize those areas in which Brazilian Portuguese differs most significantly from Spanish. Prerequisite: Graduate student status in Spanish. Undergraduates in Spanish may be admitted with consent of instructor.
PORT 612. Accelerated Basic Portuguese for Spanish Speakers II. 3 Credits.
PORT 742. The Brazilian Novel. 3 Credits.
The development of the novel in Brazil and analysis of representative works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: A fourth semester course in Portuguese or consent of instructor.
PORT 760. Contemporary Brazilian Literature. 3 Credits.
A survey of Brazilian cultural expressions and literature in the Twentieth Century. Conducted in Portuguese. Prerequisite: PORT 216 or consent of instructor.
PORT 780. Special Readings in Portuguese and Brazilian Literature. 1-3 Credits.
May be taken more than once; total credit not to exceed five hours. Directed private readings with conferences with instructor. Prerequisite: Consent of department.
PORT 785. Special Topics in Brazilian Cultural and Literary Studies: _____. 3 Credits.
Topics vary by semester. The course may be taken more than once, with full credit, provided there is no duplication in the material covered. Conducted in Portuguese.
PORT 970. Seminar in Brazilian Literature: _____. 3 Credits.
Courses
SPAN 101. Orientation Seminar in Spanish and Portuguese. 1 Credits.
Provides an overview of the field of Hispanic Studies. Emphasizes developing an understanding of opportunities in Spanish and Portuguese at KU and the Spanish and Portuguese program curricula, exploring service-learning and other extracurricular options available at KU and beyond, and helping students plan goals for their education through an understanding of their personal values and aspirations as they relate to the field. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
For beginning students of Spanish who do not place into SPAN 111. Active preparation and participation required. Classes conducted in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish.
SPAN 107. Elementary Spanish Conversation. 1-4 Credits.
Activities to improve elementary level conversation skills. Does not fulfill any portion of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement. Available only to study abroad participants.
This course prepares students for Intermediate level study of Spanish. Active preparation and participation is required. Classes conducted in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 104 or placement. See departmental guidelines.
For students who have had some previous study of Spanish, but who do not place into the Intermediate level. This course prepares students for Intermediate level study of Spanish. Active preparation and participation required. Classes conducted in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: At least one previous high school or college course in Spanish or placement. See departmental guidelines.
SPAN 170. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization I-A: _____. 1-3 Credits.
For students in their first year of language study or the equivalent. An intensive orientation to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major nor the language requirement. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 171. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization I-B: _____. 1-3 Credits.
A continuation of SPAN 170. For students in their first year of language study or the equivalent. An intensive orientation of the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major nor the language requirement. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Spanish. Course is designed to meet the US Culture of the KU Core 34. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Undergraduate Education Office within Academic Affairs.
SPAN 177. First Year Seminar: _____. 3 Credits.
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, organized around current issues in Spanish. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. May not contribute to major requirements in Spanish. First year seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of Academic Programs and Experiential Learning. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of applied translation as well as an overview of translation theory. Translation is a severely misunderstood activity and profession, and mechanical translation has been justifiably downgraded in communicative foreign language teaching. This course is intended for students of any foreign language (classical or modern) who are interested in the field and profession of literary and non-literary translation. The course focuses on written translation and does not treat (oral) interpretation in detail. (Same as AAAS 250, GERM 240, LING 250 and SLAV 250.) Prerequisite: Study of a foreign language, minimum two semesters of the same language.
A fully integrated content-based and form-focused approach to intermediate-level Spanish. Students process and practice a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures in order to complete tasks that promote critical exploration of the Spanish-speaking world and the development of listening, reading, speaking, writing, and intercultural competencies. Classes conducted in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 108 or SPAN 111 or placement. See departmental guidelines.
A continuation of SPAN 212. A fully integrated content-based and form-focused approach to intermediate-level Spanish. Students process and practice a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures in order to complete tasks that promote critical exploration of the Spanish-speaking world and the development of listening, reading, speaking, writing, and intercultural competencies. Emphasis on process writing. Classes conducted in Spanish. Not open to native speakers of Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 212 or placement.
SPAN 220. Intensive Intermediate Spanish. 6 Credits. F3/F4
SPAN 270. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization II-A: _____. 1-3 Credits.
For students in their second year of language study or the equivalent. An intensive orientation to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major nor the language requirement. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 271. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization II-B: _____. 1-3 Credits.
A continuation of SPAN 270. For students in their second year of language study or the equivalent. An intensive orientation to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major nor the language requirement. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
The development of social and cultural patterns in the Spanish-speaking world, including the intersection of those patterns with issues related to politics, economics and/or personal values. Assigned readings may be in English or in Spanish. Does not count toward the Spanish major. Prerequisite: SPAN 108, SPAN 109, or SPAN 111; or two years of high school Spanish.
A broad historical study of the Spanish Inquisition from 1478 to its afterlife in modern culture, including its use in political debates and its depiction in popular culture. Topics include anti-Semitism, the nature of the inquisitorial investigation, the use of torture, censorship and the relationship between the Inquisition, the Spanish monarchy and other religious and lay authorities. Taught in English. Will not count toward the Spanish major. (Same as HIST 325 and JWSH 315.)
SPAN 322. Spanish Grammar: Form and Meaning in Context. 3 Credits. FP
Analysis of the most important morphological and syntactic phenomena with an emphasis on their form and function through a review of salient grammatical points in preparation for advanced work in Spanish. Recommended for students who have completed Spanish 216, 217, or 220 with a grade of C or higher, or placement through examination. Course does not count toward the Major. Prerequisite: Four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent. Students who have taken SPAN 324 or SPAN 325 may take this course with the permission of instructor.
SPAN 323. Spanish Composition and Cultural Analysis. 3 Credits. FP
Systematic review of writing in Spanish, intensive study of vocabulary and stylistics for formal written communication, and development of essential writing and analytical skills for advanced courses in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 216 or SPAN 220 with a grade of C or higher; or SPAN 322, or consent of instructor.
SPAN 324. Grammar and Composition. 3 Credits. FP
Systematic grammar review and development of essential writing skills for advanced courses in Spanish. Recommended for students with a grade of B or better in SPAN 216 or SPAN 220. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 328 is strongly recommended, and completion of both SPAN 324 and SPAN 328 is required for enrollment in SPAN 340 and SPAN 346. Prerequisite: SPAN 216 or SPAN 220 with a grade of C or higher; or SPAN 322.
SPAN 325. Spanish for Heritage Learners. 3 Credits. FP
A comprehensive review of the Spanish language for students whose personal or cultural ties to the language do not include extensive formal academic study, with an emphasis on the development of skills tied to cultural analysis and communication (written and oral) necessary for success in more advanced courses in Spanish. (Same as AMS 325.) Prerequisite: SPAN 216, or SPAN 220, or appropriate placement test score as defined by the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, or consent of the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, or consent of instructor.
SPAN 326. Spanish for Health Care Workers. 3 Credits. FP
This course is designed to provide students with the linguistic and cultural competencies necessary to communicate with and help treat Spanish speaking patients with limited English proficiency. Includes a general review of pertinent grammar, specific vocabulary groups relating to assessment and care of patients, vocabulary to establish rapport, and discussions leading to cultural competencies. Students who have completed SPAN 424 or above may take the course with the permission of the instructor. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 216 with a grade of C or better.
SPAN 328. Intermediate Spanish Conversation. 2 Credits. FP
Conversational reinforcement of topics presented in SPAN 323 or SPAN 324 with an emphasis on oral communication skills in a cultural context. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 324 is strongly recommended. Completion of both 324 and 328 is required for enrollment in SPAN 340 and SPAN 346. Two class meetings per week. Not available to study abroad participants. Prerequisite: SPAN 216 or SPAN 220 with a grade of C or higher; or SPAN 322.
SPAN 329. Intermediate Spanish Conversation II: _____. 1 Credits. FP
Open to students who have completed SPAN 328 and heritage speakers. Native speakers may take the course with permission of the instructor. The course topic will focus on Spanish conversation in a particular professional setting, such as business, theater, law, film, medicine, and fine arts. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 328 or consent of instructor.
SPAN 330. Service Learning Internship Spanish. 1-3 Credits. FP
An opportunity for students to utilize and improve their Spanish language skills in an internship or volunteer work in business, schools, government, hospitals, churches, and various types of service organizations. Students must have approval of instructor to register and must provide written confirmation of acceptance for volunteer work in an agency that provides service to a Spanish-speaking public before the course begins. Periodic supervisor evaluations and a reflection journal in Spanish are required, in addition to other materials requested by the instructor. Class format may be an independent internship taken for variable credit under instructor supervision. Will not count toward Spanish major. Prerequisite: Students must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of Spanish in courses at the 200-level or above, and completion of SPAN 324 with a grade of B or better.
Critical readings and interpretation of Hispanic literatures, with emphasis on acquiring the skills and vocabulary necessary for discussing and writing literary analyses. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 323, or SPAN 324 and SPAN 328, or SPAN 325. A grade of B- or higher in SPAN 323 or SPAN 324 or SPAN 325 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 346 is strongly recommended.
SPAN 346. Transatlantic Hispanic Cultures. 3 Credits. FP
This course offers an introductory overview of Hispanic cultures, focusing on the political, economic, social, linguistic, and artistic development that shaped the historical and cultural bonds between Latin America and Spain. Enhances the cultural competence acquired in previous Spanish classes and prepare students for upper-level work in the major. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 323, or SPAN 324 and SPAN 328, or SPAN 325. A grade of B- or higher in SPAN 323 or SPAN 324 or SPAN 325 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended.
SPAN 370. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization III-A: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
An intensive orientation to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Also includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study-abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 371. Hispanic Language, Culture and Civilization III-B: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A continuation of SPAN 370. An intensive orientation to the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. Also includes elements of grammar, conversation, and composition. Available only to study abroad participants. Will not count toward the Spanish major. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 424. Advanced Spanish Composition and Grammar. 3 Credits. FP
Extensive practice in writing, with attention to vocabulary, grammar usage, and discourse structure. Thorough review of syntax and grammar. Conducted in Spanish. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 428 is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 428. Advanced Spanish Conversation. 2 Credits. FP
Emphasis on developing fluid expression of opinions, ideas, and points of view through discussion of selected texts and cultural materials. Two class meetings per week. Taught in Spanish. Concurrent enrollment in SPAN 424 is recommended. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of C or higher in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 429. Spanish Phonetics. 3 Credits. FP
SPAN 440. Topics in Transatlantic Hispanic Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, topics, authors, or themes in literary and cultural history. Readings will include selections from both Spain and the countries of Spanish America. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 441. Special Topics in Spanish Literature and Culture: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, topics, authors, or themes in Spanish literary and cultural history. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. This course may be used to partially or fully fulfill 400-level peninsular Spanish literature requirement. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of C or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 442. Special Topics Latin American Literature and Cultures: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, topics, authors, or themes in Latin American literary and cultural history. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. This course may be used to partially or fully fulfill 400-level peninsular Latin American literature requirement. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of C or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 443. Topics in Hispanic Studies - Peninsular Emphasis: _____. 3 Credits.
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, topics, authors, or themes in literary and cultural history. Readings may include selections from both Spain and the countries of Spanish America but the peninsular content will be significant and the course will count toward the Peninsular literature requirement in the Spanish major. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 444. Topics in Hispanic Studies - Latin American Emphasis: _____. 3 Credits.
A topics course dedicated to the study of special historical moments, topics, authors, or themes in literary and cultural history. Readings may include selections from both Spain and the countries of Spanish America, but the Spanish American content will be significant and the course will count toward the Latin American literature requirement in the Spanish major. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 446. Spanish Culture. 3 Credits. FP
A study of the development of Spanish culture with particular emphasis on history, customs and traditions, and literary trends and artistic tendencies that constitute Spain's specific contribution to Western civilization. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 447. Latin American Cultures: _____. 3 Credits. FP
The description and interpretation of Latin American cultures, with particular attention to history, ethnology, folklore, and the arts. The course may focus on particular countries or geographical areas. Conducted in Spanish. May be repeated for credit as topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 448. Spanish Language and Culture for Business. 3 Credits. FP
Cultural studies approach to contemporary Spanish American societies for students with an interest in business. Explores how individuals from Spanish American countries negotiate their place in a new cultural context, and how different groups in Spanish America perceive business (negocios). Readings include selections from literature, history, journalism, social analysis, and popular culture. Exercises help non-native speakers develop analytical skills as well as vocabulary and communication skills related to international business and professional life. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 323, or SPAN 324 and SPAN 328, or SPAN 325, or consent of instructor. A grade of B- or higher in SPAN 323, 324 or 325 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 450. Medieval Spanish Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish literature and culture to 1500. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 451. Early Modern Spanish Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish literature and culture from 1500 to 1800. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 452. Nineteenth Century Spanish Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of the literature and culture of Spain of the 1800s. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 453. Twentieth Century Spanish Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of the literature and culture of Spain from 1900 to the present. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 460. Colonial Spanish-American Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish-American literature and culture from the Conquest to Independence, organized by topic. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 461. Nineteenth Century Spanish-American Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish-American literature and culture from Independence to 1900, organized by topic. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 462. Twentieth Century Spanish-American Studies: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish-American literature and culture from 1900 to the present, organized by topic. The course may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, regions, or topics. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 463. National Traditions in Spanish America: _____. 3 Credits. FP
Reading and analysis of Spanish-American literature and cultural history from the perspective of a selected nation or nations. The course explores the role of literature and cultural expression in constructing the modern nation and local traditions. Readings may cover selections from multiple genres, authors, and periods. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor. A grade of "C" or better in SPAN 340 is strongly recommended for students enrolling in this course.
SPAN 464. Reading and Analysis of U.S. Latino/a Literatures: _____. 3 Credits. FP
SPAN 470. Studies in Spanish Culture and Civilization: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of Spanish culture with emphasis on one or more of the following aspects: history, politics, ethnology, anthropology, religious and secular traditions, issues of cultural identity, music, art, architecture, and popular culture. Available only to study-abroad participants. Maybe repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 471. Studies in Spanish-American Culture and Civilization: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of Spanish American national or regional culture with emphasis on one or more of the following aspects: history, politics, ethnology, anthropology, religious and secular traditions, issues of cultural identity, music, art, architecture, and popular culture. Available only to study-abroad participants. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 474. Studies in Spanish Literature and Culture: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of the literature and cultural production of a particular author, group of authors, period, genre, region, or theme. Available only to study-abroad participants. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 475. Studies in Latin-American Literature and Culture: _____. 1-3 Credits. FP
A study of the literature and cultural production of a particular author, group of authors, period, genre, country, region, or theme. Available only to study-abroad participants. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
SPAN 494. Special Readings in Spanish. 1-3 Credits. FP
Directed reading in (a) fields not covered by student's course work, and/or (b) field of student's special interest approved by the department. Conferences. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Prerequisite: Twenty-five hours of Spanish.
Honors seminar. May be repeated for credit. Required of all students working for a degree with honors in Spanish.
SPAN 501. Studies in Hispanic Literature: _____. 3 Credits.
A study of the literature of a particular author, period, genre, country, region, or theme. May be repeated for credit as the topic varies. May be taken for elective credit in the Spanish major. Will not count toward the Latin American literature requirement in the Spanish major. Prerequisite: SPAN 340, plus completion of one junior-senior level literature course in any language.
SPAN 520. Structure of Spanish. 3 Credits. FP
SPAN 522. Advanced Studies in Spanish Language: _____. 3 Credits. FP
An advanced course dedicated to the critical study of special historical moments, topics, authors or themes in literary and cultural history. This course is designed to provide sophistication, focus, and analytical depth in literary and cultural study through exploration of secondary sources as well as theoretical material. Reading may include selections from both Spain and the countries of Spanish America and may cover multiple genres, authors, periods, or regions. Course conducted in Spanish and may be repeated for credit as the topic varies. Prerequisite: SPAN 424 and six hours of 400-level Spanish literature courses.
A theoretical and historical exploration of Spanish cinema. Students will be expected to attend film screenings in addition to regular class meetings. Prerequisite: SPAN 424 and six hours of 400-level Spanish literature courses.
An overview of Latin American cinema from its origins to the present with particular attention to thematic concerns, such as cultural and national identity, and of literary discourse. Students will be expected to attend film screenings in addition to regular class meetings. Prerequisite: SPAN 424 and six hours of 400-level Spanish literature courses.
SPAN 570. Studies in Hispanic Linguistics: _____. 3 Credits. FP
SPAN 722. Special Topics in Spanish Literature: _____. 3 Credits.
The content of this course will vary, and the course may be taken more than once with full credit, provided there is no duplication in the material studied. Prerequisite: A survey course in Spanish peninsular literature taught in Spanish.
SPAN 730. Topics in the Literature of 13th- and 14th-Century Iberia: _____. 3 Credits.
A theoretically informed study of representative works from 13th- and 14th-century Iberia. Course may be repeated for credit provided that the topic changes.
SPAN 733. Print Culture in Early Modern Spain. 3 Credits.
A study of the literature produced during the period of early printed books with emphasis on the diffusion of new literary forms during the late 15th- and early 16th-centuries.
SPAN 739. Topics in Early Modern Spanish Drama: _____. 3 Credits.
Selected plays of such authors as Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, Calderón, and Maria de Zayas. Course may be repeated for credit provided that the topic changes.
SPAN 745. Don Quixote. 3 Credits.
Linguistic and literary study. Examination of traditional interpretations. The life and thought of Cervantes. Theoretical readings.
SPAN 762. The Spanish Novel Since the Civil War. 3 Credits.
A study of the major works and movements occurring since the Spanish Civil War.
SPAN 764. Modern Spanish Poetry. 3 Credits.
Modern poetry of Spain, beginning with Becquer and ending with the "Generation of the 1920's." Close study of the works of the major poets; readings in poetic theory. Prerequisite: A general survey course of the literature of Spain of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
SPAN 780. Introduction to Hispanic Studies. 3 Credits.
What does the field of Hispanic Studies encompass? How do we understand our roles as scholars, as teachers, and as members of our communities? How does the field of Hispanic Studies reflect and act upon the dialectics between our thoughts, our actions, our words, and our worlds? With specific attention to incoming graduate students, this course sets out to show how Hispanic Studies is a venue to engage in transdisciplinary work and through a variety of methods and approaches. SPAN 780 invites students to reflect on their current career path, and on their role as beginning scholars in Hispanic Studies. The course combines theoretical texts with various forms of cultural expression -including the literary- providing incoming graduate students with a glimpse at the multiple directions and possibilities in the field. In addition, it exposes incoming students to resources available to them at KU, both in and outside the department. Prerequisite: Graduate student status in Spanish. Undergraduates in Spanish may be admitted with consent of instructor.
SPAN 781. Colonial Identities. 3 Credits.
This course centers on the dynamics of identity of Creoles, Amerindians, Blacks and members of the castes in colonial Spanish America. It concentrates on how members of these racial and ethnic groups relate to coloniality, space, place and gender.
SPAN 785. Special Topics in Spanish-American Literature: _____. 3 Credits.
The content of this course will vary, and the course may be taken more than once, with full credit provided there is no duplication in the material covered. Prerequisite: A survey course in Spanish American literature.
SPAN 795. Literary Theory and Criticism. 3 Credits.
Systematic study of the development of theories of literature. Emphasis usually placed on twentieth century although scope may vary. Prerequisite: 700-level course in Spanish or concurrent enrollment.
SPAN 801. Teaching Spanish in Institutions of Higher Learning. 3 Credits.
Required of all teaching assistants who teach beginning Spanish at the University of Kansas for the first time. Instruction in classroom procedures for first year Spanish, demonstration of teaching techniques, and survey of current methodology.
SPAN 802. Colloquium in Methods of Teaching Spanish Language. 1-3 Credits.
Combines discussion of theoretical teaching concepts and development of pedagogical materials with practical solutions arising concurrently in Spanish languages courses.
SPAN 898. Investigation and Conference. 1-10 Credits.
Individually directed work to fill the student's needs not met by available organized courses. One to three hours of credit in any semester. Maximum total credit for the M.A. degree is three hours. May be taken with full credit as often as recommended by department.
SPAN 922. Seminar in Spanish Literature and Culture: _____. 3 Credits.
An intensive investigation of a particular topic in Spanish Literature and Culture; content will vary in terms of topics, genres, and time periods covered. The course may be taken more than once with full credit, provided there is no duplication. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
SPAN 940. Seminar in Trans-Atlantic Literatures and Cultures: _____. 3 Credits.
An intensive investigation of a particular topic in Spanish and Latin American Literatures and Cultures; content will vary in terms of topics, genres, and time periods covered. The course may be taken more than once, with full credit provided there is no duplication. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
SPAN 961. Seminar: Medieval Literature: _____. 3 Credits.
SPAN 985. Seminar in Spanish American Literature and Culture: _____. 3 Credits.
An intensive investigation of a particular topic in Spanish American Literatures and Cultures; content will vary in terms of topics, genres, and time periods covered. The course may be taken more than once, with full credit provided there is no duplication. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
SPAN 999. Dissertation. 1-12 Credits.
Dissertation hours. Graded on a satisfactory progress/limited progress/no progress basis.