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
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:
- Twitter: @kstatespanish
- Instagram: @kstatespanish
Meet the professors!
Dr. Bender
Department 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
- Email: rmbender@ksu.edu
- Office: Eisenhower 208
- Website: https://rebeccambender.com/
Dr. Courbou
Lead Advisor, Department Coordinator & Teaching Assistant Professor
Research Interests
Advising in post-secondary education; long term impact of service learning and study abroad.
Contact Information
- Email: angeli@ksu.edu
- Office: Eisenhower 217
- Book a 20-minute meeting
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.
| 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.
| 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.
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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 1xbet online games loginwill further develop communicative skills and strategies to describe, narrate, research, analyze, and opine in increasingly complex social situations. Conductedin Spanish.
| 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.
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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) | 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.
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SPAN 411 - Heritage Speakers Spanish Composition & Grammar | 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.
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SPAN 530 - Professional Spanish: Business | 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 1xbet online casinocampaigns, 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
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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.
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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.
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SPAN 551 - Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media for Heritage Learners
| 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.
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SPAN 560 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: U.S. Latinx | 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.
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SPAN 565 | |
SPAN 566 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Spanish America | 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.
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SPAN 567 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: Transatlantic | Develops critical understanding of the historical, political, social forces that have connected Spanish and Spanish American literatures and cultures over time through interdisciplinary focus 1xbet online sports bettingon a topic (e.g., conflict, exploration, social class). Course is taught in Spanish.
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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.
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SPAN 580 - Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | 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.
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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 | 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.
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SPAN 732 - Cervantes
| 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.
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SPAN 735 - 20th/21st C. Spain: Microfiction | 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!
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SPAN 757 - Spanish American Poetry | Explore how diverse Spanish American 1xbet online sports bettingpoets & 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).
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SPAN 768 - Hispanic Cinema
| 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.
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SPAN 771 - Advanced Spanish Translation | 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.
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SPAN 773 - Spanish America Today | 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.
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SPAN 774 - Spanish Translation& Interpretation | 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.
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SPAN 776 - History of the Spanish Language | This course primarily explores how the Spanish language evolved from Latin at the morphosyntactic and phonological level. Additionally, we will examine how external factors, 1xbet online games loginsuch as diverse sociohistorical events, propagated the use of Spanish within Spain and throughout Latin America.
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SPAN 777 - Culture & Literature Teaching Strategies | 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.
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SPAN 779 - Selected Topics in Spanish: Spanish in the US | 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.
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