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Department of Modern Languages

Modern Languages - Spanish

Meet our faculty, learn about our Spanish language study abroad opportunities and other events check our blog: kstatespanish.wordpress.com

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @KStateSpanish

Pamplona-Ayuntamiento

Did you know that over 500 million people speak Spanish around the world? The U.S. ranks #2 in the world for Spanish speakers behind Mexico, and it is projected that, by 2050, one in three people will speak Spanish (including bilinguals English/Spanish) in the U.S.  Our immersive program offers extensive practice in spoken and written Spanish as well as opportunities to study a range of literary and cultural studies, language for the professions, linguistics, and translation. 

Spanish Minor Requirements

The Spanish Minor requires 6 classes at and above the 300-level*, and must include one literature course at the 500-level (SPAN 550 is recommended). See course descriptions to assist you in choosing your courses, and/or book a 20-minute meeting with Dr. Courbou, lead advisor and instructor of Spanish & French. 

Retroactive credit and study abroad credits apply toward the Spanish Minor.

*Note: For students who began their language studies prior to Fall 2023, the Spanish minor begins at SPAN 301 or 302 and must include one literature course at the 500-level (SPAN 550 is recommended). Not sure which requirements you fall under? book a 20-minute meeting with Dr. Courbou to discuss the plan that is most appropriate for you.  

Spanish Translation Minor Requirements

The Spanish Translation Minor requires 18 credit hours (6 classes) at and above the 530-level, including professional writing in Spanish and English. See course descriptions to assist you in choosing your courses, and/or contact Dr. Kanost (lakanost@ksu.edu) for more information. Study abroad credits apply toward the Spanish Translation Minor.

  • Professional writing in English elective (3 hours)
    • ENGL 302, 400, 415, 417, 510, 516
    • MC 200, 221, 426
  • Approaches to language elective (3 hours)
    • ANTH 514, 525, 720, 792
    • COMM 480
    • ENGL 430, 435, 490
    • SPAN 580, 670, 776
  • Professional Spanish (3 hours)
    • SPAN 530 (business) or SPAN 531 (health)
  • Core course (9 hours)
    • SPAN 575, SPAN 771, and SPAN 774

Spanish Major Requirements

The Spanish Major requires 33 credit hours (11 classes)* of Spanish courses at and above SPAN 300, including the required "Hispanic Readings & Media" (SPAN 550), and at least three 6/700-level courses. A grade of “C” or better or a minimum 2.5 GPA is required in all Spanish courses counted towards the major. Classes for the major cannot be taken Pass/Fail. Two non-transfer courses are required at the 700 level. See course descriptions to assist you in choosing your courses, and/or book a 20-minute meeting with Dr. Courbou, lead advisor and instructor of Spanish & French. 

The Spanish major with distinction requires 39 credit hours (13 courses)* of Spanish courses at and above SPAN 300, including one required literature courses at the 500-level (SPAN 550), and at least four 6/700-level courses, and a 3.5 GPA in all courses taken toward the major.

Retroactive credit and study abroad credits apply toward the Spanish Minor.

*Note: For students who began their language studies prior to Fall 2023, the Spanish major consists of 31 hours (10 courses) at and above SPAN 301, must include SPAN 550 and three 6/700-level courses. The major with distinction is 37 hours, must include SPAN 550 and four 6/700-level courses. Not sure which requirements you fall under? book a 20-minute meeting with Dr. Courbou to discuss the plan that is most appropriate for you.  

Want to know more?

Meet our faculty, learn about our Spanish language study abroad opportunities and other events check our blog: kstatespanish.wordpress.com

Follow us on social media:

Meet the professors!

Dr. Bender

Photo of Dr. BenderDepartment Head & Associate Professor
Research Interests 

19th–21st century Spanish literature; 20th-century Spanish Women’s narrative; First-Wave Spanish Feminism; Cultural and Literary representations of Motherhood; the Spanish Avant-Garde; Spanish and Hispanic Art and Visual Culture; Second-Language (L2) Literature Pedagogy; Digital Humanities

Contact Information 

Dr. Courbou

couLead Advisor, Department Coordinator & Teaching Assistant Professor
Research Interests 

Advising in post-secondary education; long term impact of service learning and study abroad.

Contact Information 

Dr. DePaoli

Professor

Dr. Faber

Coordinator Spanish 2 & 4, Assistant Professor 

Mrs. Gavigan

Instructor

Dr. Hale

Coordinator Spanish 1 & 3, Teaching Assistant Professor 

Dr. Kanost

Translation Program Coordinator & Professor

Dr. Valentín-Rivera

Heritage Learners Program Coordinator & Associate Professor

Spanish Courses Descriptions

In 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!

Beginner Courses Descriptions

Beginner courses (SPAN 101 through 302) are offered in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters both online and in person. See below for descriptions, contact spanishcoordination@ksu.edu if you have placement questions.

SPAN 101 - Spanish I: 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 if you have placement questions

SPAN 102 - Spanish II: 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 if you have placement questions

SPAN 300 - Spanish III: 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 if you have placement questions
 

SPAN 301 - Spanish IV: 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. Conductedin Spanish. 

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

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SPAN 302 - Spanish IV for Heritage Learners: This class facilitates the use of Spanish in everyday and academic contexts while also exploring a variety of cultural topics. 

  • Designed for learners who have been exposed to Spanish from childhood in natural settings (e.g., home).
  • Please contact Dr. Valentin-Rivera for placement questions
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements, the Spanish Minor or Major
 
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Intermediate Courses Descriptions

Courses at the 400 and 500 level comprise our intermediate courses. All count toward the Spanish Major or Minor and many toward some basic requirements for BA and BS degrees (e.g.: Foreign Language requirements, Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts, Advanced Social Sciences, US Multicultural Overlay). 

SPAN 410 - Spanish Communication through Pop Culture (aka Spanish Composition and Grammar)

410

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 and use of target language in the class, or extended experience abroad. Please consult with spanishcoordination@ksu.edu
  • Typically offered in Fall and Spring semeters
  • Counts toward Foreign Language requirements

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SPAN 411 - Heritage Speakers Spanish Composition & Grammar

411

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 assist 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 for placement questions
  • Typically offered in Fall 
  • Counts as Literary/Rhetorical Arts, and Foreign Language requirements
  • We are expanding our courses for Heritage Learners (students who grew up learning Spanish at home). Check our courses here!

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SPAN 530 - Professional Spanish: Business

530

The need for professional Spanish skills in the workplace is on the rise across industries throughout the US.[1] In this course, students will not only develop their professional communication skills in Spanish, but will also examine the political, economic, and social movements related to commerce throughout the Americas from 1492 to today through a variety of texts such as historical diary entries, legal statutes, marketing campaigns, literature, art, and film. Students will provide evidence of their learning by creating professional documents, presentations, and creative projects related to the themes of the class.

[1] Source: Lead With Languages 

SPAN 531 - Professional Spanish: Health & Human Services

531

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 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.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 410
  • Typically offered in Summer and Fall online; in person in Spring
  • Counts toward the 3 hours of Professional Spanish for the Spanish Translation Minor

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SPAN 550 - Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media

550

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.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 410
  • Required for Spanish Minors and Spanish Majors
  • Counts as Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts

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SPAN 551 - Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media for Heritage Learners

550h

 

Use your knowledge of popular and trending singers, like Peso Pluma, movies, and books to further your critical skills in Spanish. This course will also help you expand your oral and written fluency, reading skills and vocabulary so that you can efficiently communicate in formal and professional settings while sharing your unique cultural and bilingual experiences.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 411
  • Designed for learners who have been exposed to Spanish from childhood in natural settings (e.g., home). Please contact Dr. Valentin-Rivera for placement questions
  • Required for Spanish Minors and Spanish Majors
  • Counts as Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts
  • We are expanding our courses for Heritage Learners (students who grew up learning Spanish at home). Check our courses here!

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SPAN 560 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: U.S. Latinx560

United States has the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world. This course focuses on literature and media created in Spanish (as well as bilingual texts featuring code-switching or Spanglish”) within the United States. A historical overview helps us to understand the social and political contexts that have shaped this diverse community and its cultural production since the 16th century. Students will develop cultural awareness, critical thinking, and language and communication skills, and research a topic of personal interest in a creative project.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 550
  • Typically offered in Spring semesters
  • Counts as U.S. Multicultural Overlay, Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts

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SPAN 565 

SPAN 566 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Spanish America566

This interdisciplinary course traces the sociocultural significance of crops such as chocolate, corn, sugar, and potato in Spanish America. We’ll 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.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 550
  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • Counts toward Western Heritage or Literary/Rhetorical Arts

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SPAN 567 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Transatlantic

sp567

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). Course is taught in Spanish.

  • Pre-Req: SPAN 550 or equivalent
  • Counts toward Western Heritage or Literary/Rhetorical Arts

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SPAN 575 - Introduction to Spanish Translation

SP575S24

People who are bilingual are often asked to translate or interpret in their jobs or communities. This course is designed to begin developing those skills and instill an awareness of the ethical responsibilities of translators and interpreters. Focusing on the linguistic and cultural differences specific to Spanish<>English translation, through memes, short texts, videos, and interviews, you will gain practice translating texts in a variety of genres. Special attention is paid to the role of the sociocultural context in the reception of both the original text and the translation.

  • Pre-Req: One 500-level Spanish course
  • Typically offered in person Fall/Spring; online in the summer
  • Required for Spanish Translation Minor

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SPAN 580 - Introduction to Spanish Linguistics580

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.

  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level Spanish courses
  • Counts toward Advanced Social Science requirements
  • Counts toward the 3 hours of Approaches to Language elective for the Spanish Translation Minor

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Advanced Courses Descriptions

Most 6-700-level Spanish courses have variable topics, meaning each semester the course may be different! See below some of the themes discussed in these courses. NOTE: Students should have completed at least two 500-level Spanish courses prior to taking 6 or 700-level courses.

SPAN 670 - Advanced Spanish Grammar

sp670

Grammar is like a puzzle - you put pieces together to create the desired image. But unlike a puzzle, grammar doesn’t have one single solution, but rather infinite. This does not mean that you can just slap together words willy-nilly. Every speaker has their own linguistic system, and it is through this system that they determine whether a phrase is well-formed or not. In this course, we will examine this system and the structures that compose it. The knowledge acquired in this class provides an excellent base for students interested in language teaching, translation, or who are looking to develop their Spanish for other professional contexts.

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses

SPAN 732 - Cervantes

732

 

This course proposes to read the first modern novel, Don Quixote. After the Bible, Don Quixote is the most widely published, commented, and translated book. In this course, we will become familiar with Don Quixote’s depths, open it to critical discussion, and understand the culture and society of Early Modern Spain. We will see how it responds to cultural crises and witness the ineffable power of literary fiction. Bearing in mind the present, we will explore how literature is kept alive across time, languages, and cultures. We will look for the keys to Don Quixote’s universality and humor to understand how literary traditions are renewed and transformed.

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 550, 565, 567), senior status, or instructor permission

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SPAN 735 - 20th/21st C. Spain: Microfiction

735

Explore Spanish literature through microscopic texts known as Microfiction (stories of 2-pages or less). 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!

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 550, 565, 567), senior status, or instructor permission

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SPAN 757 - Spanish American Poetry

757

Explore how diverse Spanish American poets & songwriters throughout history have used sound and imagery to engage with issues including identity, oppression, memory, and creative expression. We discuss connections between poems/songs and their social, political, and literary contexts, and this develops your vocabulary, cultural awareness, and ability to express complex ideas. Research a topic to inform a creative individual project (ex: curated collection of poetry/lyrics, a translation, lesson plans, or original poetry/song).  

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 550, 565, 567), senior status, or instructor permission

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SPAN 768 - Hispanic Cinema

768

 

Known as the creator of surrealist filmmaking, Luis Buñuel (1900–1983) left an indelible mark in the history of world cinema. During his long exile in Mexico as a Spanish War refugee, he directed some of his most influential work. Taking a transatlantic approach, this course will explore Buñuel´s most prominent films and his legacy, traced in the work of directors such as Luis Alcoriza, Arturo Ripstein, Pedro Almodóvar, María Novaro, and Guillermo del Toro. Students will watch and analyze these films through the cultural intersection of both Spain and Latin America’s aesthetic movements, political debates, and economic contexts in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

  • Pre-Reqs: SPAN 550, plus 6 additional hours (2 additional classes) at the 500-level, senior status, or instructor permission
  • SPAN 768 may be taken multiple times with different topics. 

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SPAN 771 - Advanced Spanish Translation

771

This class builds skill in translation techniques through practice with texts from various fields (business, legal, medical, technical, literary, etc.) We apply a variety of resources and technologies to research and collaboratively revise our translations (both Spanish to English and English to Spanish). You will develop abilities in a chosen field of specialization related to career interests, creating an individual portfolio that includes a substantial translation.

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 575), senior status, or instructor permission
  • Typically offered in Spring semesters

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SPAN 773 - Spanish America Today

773

This course examines artistic and cultural practices that created different aesthetics and politics of memory that have become essential to respond, denounce, and creatively resist diverse forms of violence and human rights violations. Looking at examples from different literary genres, films, documentaries, and interviews, the course focuses on works from the 1950s to the present. Emphasis will be placed on the socioeconomic, cultural, and political structures and processes that shaped and continue to influence life in Latin America. Key issues such as colonialism, nationalism, democracy, neocolonialism, and revolution are examined considering major events that have impacted the recent history of various Spanish-speaking countries in the Americas. 

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: Span 560, 566, 567), senior status, or instructor permission

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SPAN 774 - Spanish Translation& Interpretation

774

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.

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 575, 771), senior status, or instructor permission
  • Typically offered in Fall semesters
  • SPAN 774 may be taken multiple times with different topics. 

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SPAN 776 - History of the Spanish Language

776

This course primarily explores how the Spanish language evolved from Latin at the morphosyntactic and phonological level. Additionally, we will examine how external factors, such as diverse sociohistorical events, propagated the use of Spanish within Spain and throughout Latin America. 

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 575, 580), senior status, or instructor permission

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SPAN 777 - Culture & Literature Teaching Strategies

777

This course aims to assist students, and future L2 Spanish teachers, to develop strategies that are conducive to the effective teaching of writing skills interlinked with the Hispanic culture through realia, such as TV shows, readings, songs, comic strips. 

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses, (Recommended SPAN 550, 565, 566, 567), senior status, or instructor permission
  • Typically offered in Spring semesters

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SPAN 779 - Selected Topics in Spanish: Spanish in the US

span art L2

NOTE: Graduate students only, or instructor permission (ex: for Education majors)

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.

Contact Dr. Valentín Rivera for more information.

  • Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 575, 580), senior status, or instructor permission

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Looking to continue your education at K-State? Check out our graduate studies program!

For more information, contact:

Dr. Angélique Courbou

ac

Teaching Assistant Professor and Department Coordinator, EH 217, angeli@ksu.edu, or make an appointment: book a 20-minute meeting

 

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kstatespanish.wordpress.com

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