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Department of Modern Languages

1234In this page you will find course descriptions and other information regarding our Spanish courses at the beginner (100 to 300)intermediate (400 and 500) and advanced (600 and 700) levels to help you and your advisor determine which courses are most appropriate for you.

We are expanding our courses for Heritage Learners (students who grew up learning Spanish at home). Check our courses here!

Check how to minor or major in Spanish, our study abroad opportunities as well as our graduate studies, and scholarships!

Placement/Enrollment Questions?

  • Placement levels 1 through 4:spanishcoordination@ksu.edu
  • Heritage: Do you speak Spanish at home? Did you speak Spanish growing up?: lvalentin@ksu.edu 
  • Advising: Book a meeting with a language advisor to discuss the minors, the majors, study abroad, scholarships, and any other advising questions you may have. 

Fall 2024 Schedule & Course Descriptions

Please click below to see a description and list of times for Spanish courses for Fall 2024.

Spanish 1 through 4

iivspanSPAN 101 - Spanish I 

MoWeFr 9:30-10:20; MoWeFr 10:30-11:20; MoWeFr 11:30-12:20; and an online asynchronous section 

Students will develop basic language skills and cultural awareness to discuss daily habits, personal information, and communicate in simple everyday situations in Spanish-speaking communities. Conducted in Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

  • Designed for students with no prior Spanish language experience, or less than one year of prior language study. Contact spanishcoordination@ksu.edu with placement questions 

  

SPAN 102 - Spanish II 

MoWeFr 9:30-10:20; MoWeFr 10:30-11:20; MoWeFr 11:30-12:20; and an online asynchronous section 

Continuation of Spanish I. Students will build on basic language skills and cultural awareness to relate personal experiences, give recommendations, and interact in uncomplicated situations in Spanish-speaking communities. Conducted in Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

  • Designed for students with one semester of college Spanish or 1-2 years of high school Spanish. Contact spanishcoordination@ksu.edu with placement questions 

  

SPAN 300 (201) - Spanish III 

MoWeFr 9:30-10:20; MoWeFr 10:30-11:20; MoWeFr 11:30-12:20; and an online asynchronous section  

Enhances skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing to express themselves creatively in Spanish in straightforward social situations. Students engage with and analyze a variety of multimedia content such as spoken word poetry, debates about telecommuting, cultural customs, and stereotypes. 

  • Designed for students with two semesters of college Spanish or 2-4 years of high school Spanish.Contact spanishcoordination@ksu.edu with placement questions 
  • Counts toward the Spanish Minor or Major 

  

SPAN 301 - Spanish IV 

MoWeFr 9:30-10:20; MoWeFr 10:30-11:20; MoWeFr 11:30-12:20; and an online asynchronous section  

This course reviews and expands on knowledge of language forms developed in Spanish I-III and serves as a bridge to more advanced language, culture, and literature courses. Students will further develop communicative skills and strategies to describe, narrate, research, analyze, and opine in increasingly complex social situations. Conducted in Spanish.  

  • Designed for students with three semesters of college Spanish or 3-5 years of high school Spanish. Contact spanishcoordination@ksu.edu with placement questions  
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements, the Spanish Minor or Major 

4 and 500-level Spanish Courses

410SPAN 410 - Spanish Composition & Grammar 

(Do you speak Spanish at home? Check SPAN 411) 

MoWeFr 9:30-10:20 (15864); MoWeFr 10:30-11:20(11629) 

Spanish Communication through Pop Culture is a new approach to SPAN 410. In this course, we will improve spontaneous conversation in Spanish through impromptu discussions, word games, partner conversations and more! We will improve our writing skills through creative writing prompts, peer-review and writing workshops with your instructor. We will also learn how to activate language absorption through authentic input by listening to music, watching documentaries, tv shows and films, and reading short stories and graphic novels in Spanish. 

    • Pre-Req: SPAN 301 at K-State, or 4 years of previous study in high school or 4 semesters in college/community college (within last 2 years) AND use of target language in the class, or extended experience abroad. Please consult with spanishcoordination@ksu.edu  
    • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements, the Spanish Minor or Major 

 

411SPAN 411 (15449) - Heritage Speakers Spanish Composition & Grammar 

(Do you speak Spanish at home? This course is for you) 

Dr. Valentín Rivera. TuTh 2:30-3:45 

This course is intended to help heritage speakers (individuals that have learnt the language given the early exposure to it at home and who have primarily completed their academic preparation in English while living in the US), to further their literacy skills in Spanish. This course promotes a) the awareness of the existence of different linguistic variations of the Spanish language, b) an appreciation of the very unique variation of Spanish developed in the US, while motivating students to aspire to developing a standard register. This course also reinforces grammatical features and assists students in acquiring a sophisticated and academic lexicon, as well as further developing skills to express their ideas in more complex and professional settings. Finally, this course explores the current socioeconomic and political situations of different Hispanic countries. 

  • Designed for learners who have been exposed to Spanish from childhood in natural settings (e.g., home). Please contact Dr. Valentin-Rivera (lvalentin@ksu.edu) for placement questions 
  • Counts as Literary/Rhetorical Arts, and Foreign Language requirements, the Spanish Minor or Major 
  • Upon completion, students may receive free retroactive credit for Spanish 4 thus have completed two courses toward the minor/major 

 

531SPAN 531 (15480) – Professional Spanish: Health and Human Services – ONLINE 

Dr. DePaoli – online asynchronous 

This course develops culturally appropriate writing, listening, and oral communication language skills in the fields of health and human services. It is designed to provide students with cultural knowledge of diverse Spanish-speaking communities living inside and/or outside the United States. Span 531 has a community service-learning component in the areas of health and human services, providing a hands-on experience. The course emphasizes specialized content and vocabulary, as well as some experience in translation. 

550SPAN 550 – Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media 

MoWeFr 11:30-12:20 (12567); MoWeFr 12:30-1:20(14860)

Stories are at the core of how humans experience the world. By reading and discussing texts, film, and art from the Spanish-speaking world, you develop your vocabulary, cultural awareness, and ability to express yourself. This class gives you tools for comprehending and responding to stories, poetry/song lyrics, drama, and film. 

 

 

 

 

 

566SPAN 566 (11900) – Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Spanish America 

Dr. Kanost. MoWeFr 12:30-1:20 

This interdisciplinary course traces the sociocultural significance of crops such as chocolate, corn, sugar, and potato in Spanish America. We will explore the relationship between food and identity in recipes, art, music, and readings. Develop cultural awareness, critical thinking, and language and communication skills, and research a topic of personal interest in a creative project. 

 

sp567SPAN 567 (17121) – Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Transatlantic (topic TBA) 

Dr. Glassett. TuTh 9:30-10:45 

Develops critical understanding of the historical, political, social forces that have connected Spanish and Spanish American literatures and cultures over time through interdisciplinary focus on a topic (e.g., conflict, exploration, social class).  

 

580SPAN 580 (15544) – Introduction to Spanish Linguistics 

Dr. Valentín Rivera. TuTh 11:30-12:45 

Introduction to the field of Hispanic linguistics, including the sound system (phonetics and phonology), sentence formation (syntax), and language use in context (pragmatics). This base is built upon through the study of applied linguistic analysis, including Spanish dialectology, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and pedagogy.  

6 and 700-level Spanish Courses

735SPAN 735 (section B-17156) - 20th- and 21st-Century Spain - Microfiction 

Dr. Hale. MoWe 2:30-3:45 
Explore Spanish literature through microscopic texts known as Microfiction (stories of 2 or fewer pages). This class will focus on 20th- and 21st-century Microfiction from Spain, reading brief narratives published both as digital and in-print collections. This class will explore the creation of Microfiction and its origins, as well as popular authors like Andrés Neuman and Patricia Esteban Erlés. Students will also get to create some Microfiction of their own! Join us in an exploration of the mysterious, the fantastic, and the tiny!  
Note: Develops ability to interpret and craft complex, abstract language. Reading- and writing-intensive class. 

 

560SPAN 760 (17149) – U.S. Latinx Literature and Culture in Spanish 

Dr. Nazario. MoWe 3:55-5:10 
Examines the border as a metaphorical concept in Latinx literature and culture. Analysis of literary texts and media that explore intersecting identities, languages, and counter-traditions that shape the Latinx cultural legacy in the U.S. 
Note: Develops ability to interpret and craft complex, abstract language. Reading- and writing-intensive class. 

 

SPAN 768 (13850) - Hispanic Cinema - Transatlantic 

Dr. DePaoli. TuTh 2:30-3:45 
Critical analysis of 20th and 21st century films representing Spain and selected Hispanic countries from the Americas. Employing a fundamental theoretical approach, this course focuses on the socio-political, economic, and historic contexts that informed and enabled/censored the creation, release, and distribution of these films. Prerequisite: Span 550, 566, 567 or instruction permission. 

Note: The course develops the ability to interpret and craft complex and abstract language. Reading-and writing-intensive class. 

 

SPAN 774 (13048) - Topics in Spanish Translation/Interpreting 

Dr. Kanost. MoWeFr 1:30-2:20 
Translating and Interpreting in the Community. Introduction to vocabulary, research skills, professional practices, and ethics for serving as a community translator or interpreter (Spanish <> English). You will build basic interpreting skills through role-plays, exercises, and community service-learning experiences. You will also gain experience translating a variety of common documents such as birth certificates, letters, and forms. Prerequisite: SPAN 575, 771, or instructor permission. SPAN 774 may be taken multiple times with different topics. 

 

span art L2SPAN 779 (14401) - Selected Topics in Spanish – Spanish in the US 

Dr. Valentín Rivera. TuTh 1:05-2:20 
This class surveys the sociolinguistic elements and sociohistorical events that have resulted in the widely spread variation of Spanish in the US: Spanish as a heritage language. This linguistic variety is acquired at an early age in informal contexts (e.g., at home), and it displays specific linguistic features like code switching, often referred to as “Spanglish.” We will discuss debates on whether this variation is as valuable and prestigious as those spoken in Spain and Latin America and establish an informed understanding of language complexity. Prerequisite: Span 580 or instruction permission. 

Note: In depth exploration of a special cultural, linguistic and/or literary subject. Reading- and writing-intensive class.