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Department of

Languages and Literatures

Spanish Courses

Please read the placement policy of this department before enrolling in your first Spanish class at USD or elsewhere.

Lower Division Courses
SPAN 101 First Semester Spanish SPAN 202 Fourth Semester Spanish
SPAN 102 Second Semester Spanish SPAN 293 Language Tutoring or Field Experience in Spanish
SPAN 103 First Year Spanish SPAN 294 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture
SPAN 201 Third Semester Spanish  
Upper Division Courses
SPAN 300 Conversation SPAN 423 Studies in Spanish Literature of the Golden Age
SPAN 301 Grammar and Composition SPAN 426 Spanish Literature of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
SPAN 302 Cultural History of Spain SPAN 427 Twentieth-Century Spanish Literature
SPAN 303 Introduction to Cultural Analysis SPAN 430 Studies in Hispanic Film
SPAN 304 Cultural History of Latin America SPAN 434 Theater of Early Modern Spain and Spanish America
SPAN 305 Spanish for Business and International Trade SPAN 448 Latin American Short Story
SPAN 306 Spanish Phonetics SPAN 449 Latin American Novel
SPAN 307 Spanish Applied Linguistics SPAN 451 Latin American Poetry
SPAN 320 Survey of Spanish Literature SPAN 453 Mexican Literature and Culture
SPAN 360 Survey of Latin American Literature SPAN 458 Jewish Latin America
SPAN 394 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture SPAN 493 Language Tutoring or Field Experience in Spanish
SPAN 410 Latin@ Literatures and Cultures SPAN 494 Topics in Hispanic Literature
SPAN 422 Studies in Medieval Spanish Literature SPAN 499 Independent Study

Lower Division Courses (SPAN)

101 First Semester Spanish / 3 units

The first course in the three-semester core language sequence is an introduction to the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Throughout the sequence, emphasis is placed on the development of communicative proficiency — with a focus on oral practice — and on heightening students’ awareness of cultural contexts. This course is open only to those who have never studied Spanish or students placed in this level through the department’s placement process (see website). Every semester.

102 Second Semester Spanish / 3 units

The second course of the core language sequence introduces new structures and continues the development of cultural awareness, as well as communicative proficiency, in the four basic skills described above. Prerequisite: SPAN 101 or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

103 First Year Spanish / 4 units

An accelerated course in which SPAN 101 and SPAN 102 are combined into one semester. This course is designed for a specific profile of student who has already taken Spanish 101 or the equivalent and needs to review the structures and vocabulary presented in that course in addition to completing Spanish 102 as outlined above. Prerequisite: approval of Director of Placement only. Every semester.

201 Third Semester Spanish / 3 units

The final course of the core language sequence completes the introduction of the basic structures of the language, with continuing emphasis on communicative proficiency. At this level students are encouraged to participate in community service-learning and/or cultural activities within the Spanish speaking community. Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or 103, or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

202 Fourth Semester Spanish / 3 units

A review of the structures of the language, as well as practice in composition and conversation, in preparation for upper-division work. First of two-semester sequence with SPAN 301. Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent, or placement exam. Every semester.

293 Language Tutoring or Field Experience in Spanish / 1-3 units

Supervised participation in the department’s Tutoring Program or placement in a community organization in which the student’s skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor or the language coordinator.

294 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units

Study at the lower-division level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. If taught in English, this course may not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor. Prerequisite:  SPAN 202 or approval of the instructor.

Upper Division Courses (SPAN)

Both SPAN 301 and 303 are prerequisites for Spanish courses numbered 320 and higher. In addition, either SPAN 302 or 304 is a pre-requisite for each 400-level course. (See individual descriptions.)

300 Conversation / 3 units

A course designed for students who wish to enhance their command of spoken Spanish, including building vocabulary and expanding the use of more advanced grammatical structures. This course does not accept students who already have oral proficiency in the language. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent, and approval of the program director or instructor. Every semester.

301 Grammar and Composition / 3 units

An in-depth study of the grammatical structures of Spanish with emphasis on the fundamentals of various modes of written expression. Second of two-semester sequence with SPAN 202. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. Every semester.

302 Cultural History of Spain / 3 units

An introduction to the civilizations and cultures of Spain from pre-Roman times to the present. The course is designed to introduce the cultural history of Spain through a wide variety of readings and materials. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

303 Introduction to Cultural Analysis/ 3 units

An introduction to approaches to the analysis of culture, focusing on the cultural production of the Spanish-speaking world. Topics covered include literature, the visual arts, geography, language, and history. The course prepares students for more advanced work (400-level) in Hispanic Studies. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. Every semester.

304 Cultural History of Latin America / 3 units

An introduction to Latin American civilizations and cultures from Pre-Columbian times to the present. The course is designed to introduce the cultural history of Latin America through a wide variety of readings and materials. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent. Every semester.

305 Spanish for Business and International Trade / 3 units

The course is designed to enable the student to become acquainted both with the culture of the business world in Spanish-speaking countries and with the language of business as used in these countries. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or equivalent.

306 Spanish Phonetics / 3 units

A study of the production and description of the sounds of Spanish and their similarities and differences with the English sound system. Attention is given to various aspects of teaching Spanish pronunciation. Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or equivalent.

307 Spanish Applied Linguistics / 3 units

An introduction to linguistics and its applications. Students participate in the practical aspects of classroom techniques for the teaching and learning of Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 301 or equivalent.

320 Survey of Spanish Literature / 3 units

A survey of Spanish literature from its origins in the Middle Ages to the present, including representative works and authors from major periods. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents.

360 Survey of Latin American Literature / 3 units

A survey of representative works and authors of Latin American literature from pre-Columbian times to the present. Includes readings in prose, poetry, and drama. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents.

394 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units

Study at the third-year level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture.  This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. If taught in English, this course may not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor. Prerequisite: SPAN 202 or approval of the instructor.

410 Latin@ Literatures and Cultures / 3 units

In this interdisciplinary course, students are exposed to a wide array of cultural production from the Latin@ and Chican@ communities in the United States. The course may focus on a specific issue, topic, period, genre, or movement. All discussion and work are in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 301 and 302, or equivalents.

422 Studies in Medieval Spanish Literature / 3 units

Readings from the prose and poetry of the Middle Ages in Spain, from the 10th century to the 15th century. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 302, and 303, or equivalents.

423 Studies in Spanish Literature of the Golden Age / 3 units

A study of the masterpieces and authors of Spain’s Golden Age (1500-1700). Readings may include poetry, theater, and the novel. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 302, and 303, or equivalents.

424 Don Quijote de la Mancha / 3 units

Considered Spain’s greatest contribution to world literature, Cervantes’ Don Quijote is read and analyzed. Includes reading and discussion of appropriate critical commentary. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 302, and 303, or equivalents.

426 Spanish Literature of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries / 3 units

Selected representative works of Spain’s foremost dramatists, poets, and prose writers from the Enlightenment to the Generation of 1898. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 302, and 303, or equivalents.

427 Twentieth-Century Spanish Literature / 3 units

Intensive readings and discussion of selected works by major writers in Spain during the periods spanning the Generation of 1927, the Civil War, dictatorship, and democracy. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 302, and 303, or equivalents.

430 Studies in Hispanic Film / 3 units

A study of major Latin American and/or Spanish films in relation to their cultural, historical, and social contexts. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents.

434 Theater of Early Modern Spain and Spanish America / 3 units

A study of major Latin American and/or Spanish films in relation to their cultural, historical, and social contexts. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents.

448 Latin American Short Story / 3 units

A study of the Latin American short story from the beginning of the genre in the 19th century to the present. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 303 and 304, or equivalents.

449 Latin American Novel / 3 units

A study of the novel in Latin America from the 19th century to the “Boom” and beyond. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 303 and 304, or equivalents.

451 Latin American Poetry / 3 units

A study of the development of Latin American poetry from pre-Columbian times to the present. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 303 and 304, or equivalents.

453 Mexican Literature and Culture / 3 units

A study of major works of prose, poetry, and drama in Mexico in relation to other significant aspects of Mexican culture. Prerequisites: SPAN 301, 303 and 304, or equivalents.

458 Jewish Latin America / 3 units

This is a course on Jewish cultural production in the Americas. An interdisciplinary course that examines migration and exile, otherness, memory, and the Holocaust in literature, film, music and the visual arts, in relation to the intersectionality of ethnicity, religion, class, sexuality, gender and nation. SPAN 301, 303 and 304, or equivalents.

493 Language Tutoring or Field Experience in Spanish / 1-3 units

Supervised participation in the department’s Tutoring Program or placement in a community agency in which the student’s skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor, department chair, or the language coordinator.

494 Topics in Hispanic Literature / 3 units

Study of special topics in Spanish and/or Latin American literature. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents; and 302 or 304 to be determined according to course topic.

499 Independent Study / 1-3 units

A program arranged between student and instructor to provide intensive study in a particular area of interest. This course is not intended to substitute for regular course offerings. A maximum of three units may be applied to the major, but none to the minor. Prerequisites: SPAN 301 and 303, or equivalents, and approval of the department chair.