2007-2008 CLA Catalog
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Spanish 
The goals of the Spanish Department are to contribute to the liberal education of students by providing courses designed to develop an appreciation of the Spanish language and the Hispanic literature as essential elements of culture, and to promote the sensitivity to human values and the critical thinking that is inherent in the study of cultures other than one�s own. The department is committed to the concept of foreign study and strongly encourages students to participate in overseas programs in Granada and Seville, Spain; Quito, Ecuador; Havana, Cuba; or Valparaiso and Osorno, Chile; or Oaxaca, Mexico.
A variety of career opportunities are available to students who graduate with a strong grounding in the study of language. These include foreign service, international trade, graduate study, social work among non-English speaking minority groups, and teaching.
Requirements for the Spanish Major (8 Credits)
Spanish majors are required to complete eight credits of course work beyond the intermediate-level language courses, including Composition and Discussion, at least one credit in Civilization, three credits in Literature and a Senior Year Experience. Of the credits listed above, at least four must be earned in residence at Willamette University, to include at least one 400 level Spanish Literature course and the Spanish Senior Experience: SPAN 497 (W) Research and Discussion of Selected Topics in Literature.
Core courses
- SPAN 331 (W) Spanish Composition and Discussion (1)
- SPAN 333 (TH) Hispanic Civilization (1) or
- SPAN 335 (TH) Cultural Institutions of Spain (1)
- SPAN 497 (W) Research and Discussion of Selected Topics in Literature (1)
Three credits in Spanish literature, from the following (3)
To include at least one 400 level Spanish Literature course to be taken at Willamette University
- SPAN 340 (IT) Introduction to Spanish Literature
- SPAN 352 (IT) Peninsular Literature I: Medieval and Early Modern
- SPAN 353 (IT) Peninsular Literature II: Modern and Contemporary
- SPAN 355 (IT) Latin American Literature I: Conquest to Modernismo
- SPAN 356 (IT) Latin American Literature II: Modernismo to the Present
- SPAN 380 Latin American Cinema [Crosslisted with LAS 380]
- SPAN 427 Topics in Latin American Literature
- SPAN 428 Contemporary Mexican Literature
- SPAN 431 Contemporary Novel and Short Story of Latin America
- SPAN 435 Contemporary Latin American Women Writers
- SPAN 438 Contemporary Spanish Women Writers
- SPAN 445 Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Literature
- SPAN 446 Topics in Modern and Contemporary Peninsular Literature
- SPAN 490, 491 Reading and Conference
Two additional credits in Spanish (2)
Numbered 300 or above
Requirements for the Spanish Minor (5 Credits)
- SPAN 331 (W) Spanish Composition and Discussion (1)
- SPAN 333 (TH) Hispanic Civilization (1) or
- SPAN 335 (TH) Cultural Institutions of Spain (1)
- One credit in Spanish at the 400 level (1)
- Two credits in Spanish numbered 300 or above (2)
The department faculty strongly urges its students to improve their language competency and broaden their education through off-campus study in approved programs. Of special interest to students of Spanish are the Willamette semesters abroad in Spain, Ecuador, and Chile, as well as a post-session program in Ecuador.
Credits earned in Willamette University�s off-campus study programs, or in other preapproved foreign study programs, may be substituted for required courses in the Spanish Department.
Language students enjoy the use of a state-of-the-art Language Learning Center featuring multimedia stations, foreign language word processing software, foreign television programs transmitted by satellite, and up-to-date communication technology.
Faculty
- Patricia Varas, Professor of Spanish, Chair
- Maria Blanco-Arnejo, Professor of Spanish
- Maria Delgado-Hellin, Instructor of Spanish
Paulo Henriquez, Instructor of Spanish
Marya Hunsinger, Instructor of Spanish - Gustavo Fonseca, Instructor of Spanish
- Martha Gavilanez-Uggen, Instructor of Spanish
- Ana Montero, Assistant Professor of Spanish
Maria Olaya, Instructor of Spanish - April Overstreet, Associate Professor of Spanish
Sarah Stalker, Instructor of Spanish - John F. Uggen, Professor of Spanish
Course Listings
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I (1)
Development of basic skills: comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Introduction to the present indicative and other elementary grammatical components. Laboratory work.
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II (1)
Continued development of basic skills: comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Introduction to more indicative tenses and other elementary grammatical components. Laboratory work.
Prerequisite: SPAN 131
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I (1)
Development of language skills: comprehension, speaking, reading and writing with classroom and laboratory exercises. Introduction to the subjunctive and more grammatical components. Laboratory work.
Prerequisite: Elementary Spanish or two years of high school Spanish, or equivalent with satisfactory AP scores
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II (1)
Continued development of language skills. Comprehension, speaking, reading and writing with short reading and compositions assignments. Introduction to more tenses and applications of the subjunctive and more grammatical components. Laboratory work.
Prerequisite: SPAN 231
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 260 (4th Sem Lang Req) Hispanic Literature in Translation (1)
This course will focus on English translations of major literary works originally written in Spanish and their literary, cultural, social, and historic impact. Specific topics will vary. Taught in English. Does not count towards major or minor.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Fourth Semester Language Requirement
Prerequisite: SPAN 231 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 331 (W) Spanish Composition and Discussion (1)
Oral and written compositions based upon readings of texts emphasizing Spanish culture and literary vocabulary needed in more advanced letters courses. Exercises in syntax and introductory phonetics. Conducted in Spanish.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered
Prerequisite: SPAN 232 or completion of language proficiency or consent of instructor
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 332 Spanish Conversation and Culture (1)
Classroom discussion and conversation in Spanish about selected topics of Spanish and Latin American culture. Emphasis on vocabulary-building and acquisition of oral communication skills. Classroom presentations and participation required. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 333 (TH) Hispanic Civilization (1)
Studies in the geography, history and chronological development of culture and ideas in Hispanic America from 1492 to the present. Class discussion, oral and written reports. Oral and written exams. Conducted in Spanish. Thinking Historically.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Uggen
SPAN 335 (TH) Cultural Institutions of Spain (1)
Study of how the political, social, and cultural structures of the Spanish Iberian Peninsula changed from Golden Age to modern times. By analyzing historical, literary, artistic, and film texts, the course will examine the changing institutions of Church and State from 15th Century Castile to 21st Century Spain.
Mode of Inquiry: Thinking Historically
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Overstreet
SPAN 340 (IT) Introduction to Spanish Literature (1)
Close textual analysis of representative Spanish and Latin American works of narrative, poetry, and drama. Emphasis on acquiring tools and methodology of literary analysis. One term paper, three midterm exams. Class participation mandatory. Interpreting Texts. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 352 (IT) Peninsular Literature I: Medieval and Early Modern (1)
A survey of pre-18th century Spanish literary, including narrative, lyric poetry, and drama. The historical, anthropological, and political backgrounds of the period, as well as other artistic representations, such as painting, and architecture, will also be analyzed. Primary texts include El Cid, El Lazarillo de Tormes, La Vida es Sueno, as well as works by Góngora, María de Zayas, Calderó, Cervantes. Conducted in Spanish.
Mode of Inquiry: Interpreting Texts
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Montero, Overstreet
SPAN 353 (IT) Peninsular Literature II: Modern and Contemporary (1)
A detailed study of representative works by Spanish authors from the 18th century to the present, or Neoclassicism and Romanticism to Post-Franco feminism. Literary criticism and theory will be applied to several genres including narrative, poetry, and drama with reference to their historical, literary and social contexts. Primary texts include works by Bécquer, Galdós, Pardo Bazán, Valle-Inclán, Unamuno, A. Machado, García Lorca, Sánchez Ferlosio, Martín Gaite, and others. Conducted in Spanish.
Mode of Inquiry: Interpreting Texts
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Overstreet, Montero
SPAN 355 (IT) Latin American Literature I: Conquest to Modernismo (1)
A study of representative works of Latin American literature from 1492 to 1900, including Inca Garcilaso, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Fernández de Lizardi, Heredia, Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda, Echeverría, Sarmiento, Darío and Rodó. Conducted in Spanish. Written and oral exams.
Mode of Inquiry: Interpreting Texts
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years in fall
- Instructor: Uggen, Varas
SPAN 356 (IT) Latin American Literature II: Modernismo to the Present (1)
A study of representative works of Latin American literature from 1900 to today, including Vicente Huidobro, Delmira Agustini, César Vallejo, Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Rosario Ferré, Rosario Castellanos and Gabriel García Marquéz. Conducted in Spanish.
Mode of Inquiry: Interpreting Texts
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years in spring
- Instructor: Varas
SPAN 365 Spanish Translation (1)
Study of theory and practice of translation. The course includes in-depth study of certain aspects of the Spanish language: slang, idioms, syntax, etc. Through the translation of different genre (poetry, literary prose, newspapers, etc.) the following issues will be addressed: importance of context and situation, relationship between language and culture, relationship between English and Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331
- Offering: Alternate years in fall
- Instructor: Blanco-Arnejo
SPAN 380 Latin American Cinema (1)
[Crosslisted with LAS 380]
This course examines films, features and documentaries, by and about Latin Americans. It focuses on the political, economic, social, and aesthetic tensions that characterize the region and contextualize cinematic production. It explores the constitution of Latin American cultural identity through film. Readings, written and oral work in weekly tutorials will be carried out in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or SPAN 352 or SPAN 353 or SPAN 355 or SPAN 356 or consent of instructor.
- Offering: Alternate years in fall
- Instructor: Dash, Varas
SPAN 427 Topics in Latin American Literature (1)
Changing topics in Latin American literature will be discussed in a seminar-style course. Topics such as post-colonial thought, indigenismo, testimony and exile literature will set the discussion for the exploration of Latin American culture and society through its literature. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Varas
SPAN 428 Contemporary Mexican Literature (1)
Study of different aspects of Mexican literature. The changing topics will include literature on the Mexican revolution; women writers; contemporary writers; and marginal voices in literature. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Uggen
SPAN 430 History of Hispanic Thought (1)
Writings dealing with the Spanish mind, its influence on Latin America and the relationship of both to the United States. Representatives from art history, mysticism, philosophy, politics, sociology and psychology. Conducted in Spanish. Written and oral exams.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Uggen
SPAN 431 Contemporary Latin American Novel and Short Story (1)
A study of representative prose fiction writers of Latin America, including Gallegos, Alegría, Garcia Marquéz, Carpentier, Asturias, Borges, Quiroga and Cortázar. Conducted in Spanish. Written and oral exams. One term paper.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Blanco-Arnejo, Uggen
SPAN 435 Contemporary Latin American Women Writers (1)
This course will examine the changing role of the Latin American woman in political and social life as reflected in the literary works of such authors as Storni, Valenzuela, Lynch, Ferré, Burgos, Castellanos. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years in fall
- Instructor: Varas
SPAN 438 Contemporary Spanish Women Writers (1)
This course will study contemporary narrative texts by Spanish women. We will examine the texts in their socio-historical context, focusing on the impact of the civil war, the fascist dictatorship and the unleashing (destape) of cultural and political energies, including the development of Spanish feminism in the post-French period in women’s lives. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years in spring
- Instructor: Overstreet
SPAN 445 Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Literature (1)
This seminar focuses on various aspects of medieval and early modern Spanish literature promoting an interdisciplinary approach that combines the in-depth analysis of literary texts, with the study of visual texts and other artistic manifestations. Emphasis is placed on the historical and anthropological background, and gender issues. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Montero
SPAN 446 Topics in Modern and Contemporary Peninsular Literature (1)
This course offers advanced study of selected literary texts within their socio-historical context. Topics will vary but may include literature of the Generation of '98, the Postwar, Francoism and censorship, the "destape" or unleashing of cultural and political energies after Franco, as well as emerging feminist trends in contemporary Spanish literature and film. Conducted in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPAN 340, SPAN 352, SPAN 353, SPAN 355, SPAN 356 or consent of instructor
- Offering: Alternate years
- Instructor: Overstreet
SPAN 490–491 Reading and Conference (.5 or 1)
Designed to enable a student to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience of literary periods which are not covered by courses offered at Willamette University. Conducted in Spanish. Papers or exams may be required.
Prerequisite: SPAN 331, junior or senior standing, g.p.a. of 3.0 or better, consent of instructor
- Offering: On demand
- Instructor: Staff
SPAN 497 (W) Research and Discussion of Selected Topics in Literature (1)
This seminar course will serve to integrate the linguistic, cultural, historical and literary experiences of seniors in the language. The class will be taught in a flexible manner in order to allow students to highlight their varying individual backgrounds in Spanish. The course will include a discussion of the literature of the Golden Age and the 19th- and 20th-centuries, and literary genres such as the essay, poetry and novel. Students must present a major paper at the end of the semester and pass comprehensive written and oral exams. Conducted in Spanish.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Staff