Spanish (SP)
Courses
SP 100 Elementary Spanish I: 3 semester hours
Elementary Spanish provides students with an introductory knowledge of Spanish through a communicative approach. Assessment focuses on basic principles of grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, and oral expression. Learning exercises acquaint students with cultural context. Prerequisite: None. (Note: Students with 3-4 years of high school Spanish should enroll in SP 200 and take a placement test.).
SP 101 Elementary Spanish II: 3 semester hours
This course is a continuation of SP 100 and its communicative approach. Assessment focuses on basic principles of grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, and oral expression. Learning exercises acquaint students with cultural context. Prerequisite: 1-2 years high school Spanish, SP 100, and a placement test.
SP 120 Accelerated Spanish Review: 3 semester hours
This course is designed for students with previous study of Spanish but insufficient preparation to advance to Intermediate Spanish. Students with one year of secondary school Spanish should enter this course. This class is also appropriate for students with two years of secondary school Spanish, for those for whom some time has elapsed since their earlier study of Spanish. This course provides review and elementary college-level preparation in Spanish grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing and for students who speak a Romance language. Prerequisite: a placement test.
SP 200 Intermediate Spanish I: 3 semester hours
Intermediate Spanish includes an intensive review of basic grammar. Students build on elementary knowledge through conversation, idiomatic expression, and writing exercises. Selected readings provide insight into key aspects of Hispanic culture and literature. Prerequisite: SP 101, 3-4 years high school Spanish, and program placement exam.
SP 201 Intermediate Spanish II: 3 semester hours
This course is a continuation of SP 200 and includes intensive review of basic grammar. Students build on elementary knowledge through conversation, idiomatic expression, and writing exercises. Selected readings provide insight into key aspects of Hispanic culture and literature. Prerequisite: SP 200; or program placement exam.
SP 205 Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition: 3 semester hours
This course examines second language (L2) acquisition from a linguistic perspective and compares first and second language acquisition. Factors contributing to L2 variation, including linguistic universals, transfer, age, input, and affective considerations are studied. EN 122.
SP 220 Spanish for the Profession: 3 semester hours
This course is geared toward developing Spanish language skills for various professions including business, health, social work, education and criminal justice. The course emphasizes cultural knowledge to improve professional work in the United States Hispanic Community. Pre-requisite SP 201, vocabulary and/or placement test.
SP 240 Spanish Conversation: 3 semester hours
The course in Spanish conversation builds competency in oral expression through daily use. Classroom exercises emphasize individual oral participation, group activities, and student presentations in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 201or placement exam. Native speakers are not eligible for credit in SP 240.
SP 260 Spanish Conversation, Film and Culture: 3 semester hours
The main objective of this course is to provide students the possibility to converse while expanding their vocabulary and widening their cultural perspective on Latin America and Spain through the study of film. Conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 201 proficiency.
SP 300 Spanish Grammar & Composition: 3 semester hours
This course provides intensive instruction in written composition and grammatical expression. Students review and expand their knowledge of principles acquired at the elementary and intermediate levels. Prerequisite: SP 201; or program placement exam.
SP 310 Advanced Communicative Spanish Abroad: 3 semester hours
Designed to give students practical, in-class communication exercises in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Classroom activities are coordinated with homework activities that directly stress communication. The foreign setting serves as a living language laboratory.
SP 320 Spanish Phonology: 3 semester hours
Phonology involves systematic study of the sounds and articulations that comprise spoken Spanish. Coursework includes the study of regionalisms, dialects, and the lingual characteristics needed to produce native and near-native accents. Non-native speakers build fluency through extensive practice in developing a more authentic Spanish accent. Prerequisite:SP 201 or 240.
SP 325 Independent Study: 3 semester hours
The study topics of this course will be arranged by the instructor and the students. An independent study gives the Spanish minor the opportunity to pursue authors, genres, and literary periods not developed in regular courses.
SP 331 Introduction to Hispanic Literature: 3 semester hours
The introduction to Hispanic literature permits students to apply and refine their language skills through reading, analysis, and discussion of contemporary literary and cultural texts. The study of basic literary genres also introduces students to key aspects of Hispanic civilizations and cultures across several centuries. Taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: SP 300 or program placement test.
SP 350 Spanish Study Abroad: 6 semester hours
The course listing offers credit for supervised coursework in Spanish pursued abroad. Consult program faculty about course equivalency with other Mount Mercy Spanish courses. Coursework should be at a level appropriate to the student's language training. A maximum of 6 hours of SP 350 apply toward the minor. Repeatable. Prerequisite: program approval.
SP 369 Hispanic Culture & Civilization: 3 semester hours
The course surveys Hispanic civilizations and links them to cultural developments over time. Course meetings will integrate art, film, history, music, and literature to familiarize students with cultural contexts that evolved in Spain and Latin America. Nations of emphasis vary. Students enrolled for credit in the Spanish program will complete assignments in Spanish. Prerequisite for credit in Spanish program: SP 201 proficiency. (English speakers should check for cross-listing as HI 369).
SP 425 Spanish Internship: 3 semester hours
The internship involves the use of Spanish skills in workplace or social service settings. Students should average 10 hours per week at their internship. The internship also involves limited academic work that is arranged between the student and supervising faculty. A maximum of 6 hours of SP 425 will apply toward the minor. Repeatable. Prerequisite: SP 200 and program approval.