The Spanish major is one of the most immersive experiences GU has to offer. You have the opportunity to learn the language, cultural experiences and literature from caring professors, and then you get to study in a Spanish-speaking country immersed in that culture and language so that you master your skills and graduate equipped to serve in various industries.
The Spanish program offers three study abroad programs for course credit:
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the U.S. and the top three most spoken languages in the world. Fluency in Spanish often leads to careers in international business, government, travel and tourism, social services, education, and much more. Many GU students double major in Spanish and another field of interest.
Learning environment
Caring professors and a positive atmosphere will fuel your passion for the Spanish language, literature, and cultural studies. Discuss, research, and broaden your worldview alongside instructors and supportive classmates who share your passion. Become inspired in small class sizes. Then practice your skill set on campus with other majors and with native speakers from Spanish-speaking countries.
Travel
Travel the Spanish-speaking world as a Spanish major at GU. Join classmates on a mission trip to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Study abroad in Spain, Central America, or Mexico. Traveling abroad is part of our curriculum.
Why GU
Christian discipleship. Mentors and discipleship opportunities at GU grow your faith as you prepare for your next steps.
Learning environment. Small class sizes, caring faculty, and a Christ-centered program create a supportive learning environment that fuels your passion for the Spanish language and cultural studies.
Deepen your education. We’re a liberal arts school. That means you get a holistic education that introduces you to many subjects and ideas, helping you grow your interests and skills.
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Success Stories
I had no idea that my Spanish studies would take me so many places and expose me to so many different things! It was never just about learning the Spanish language, but [it] was about discovering how mastering Spanish—partnered with an expanded worldview—could be used to seek and glorify God in diverse contexts.
The Spanish major leads to a bachelor of arts degree, and requires 30 credits above the elementary or 101/102 level. Become a global ambassador for Christ as you gain language skills, cultural experiences, and literary knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world.
Spanish, BA Courses
Essentials of Spanish, oral and written: grammar, composition, conversation, and reading. Meets the general education world languages requirement when taken in conjunction with SPAN 102.
Prerequisite: SPAN 101 must be taken before SPAN 102.
Essentials of Spanish, oral and written: grammar, composition, conversation, and reading. Meets the general education world languages requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 101 must be taken before SPAN 102.
An overview of peninsular literature from "el cantar de mio cid" to the present. Discussions are centered around the text (including novels, drama, and poetry) and literary critique in general. Pre-req: SPAN 201 (Offered in a three year rotation)
Study of the Hispanic novel through reading of selected novels. Meets the general education global foundation requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Emphasizes the forces that shaped and are now reshaping the region. Examines historical reasons for the present problems that trouble the area. Cross listed with HIST 110/310. Meets the general education global foundations and humanities/historyl requirements.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in an upper division SPAN course. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Discussion and reading in Spanish of history, literature, art, and customs.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
The purpose of this course is to allow the students to learn and recognize the cultural traits of the Spanish people and culture through an immersion experience, living with a Spanish family. Students will visit important historical and cultural sites such as museums, galleries, cathedrals, etc. Students will also be asked to reflect on the works written by principle Spanish authors of the "Siglo de Oro."
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. (Offered summers.)
The purpose of this course is to improve the skills in the Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience for students who are already proficient in the language. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish-speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish. The reflections will be regarding the local culture in the region and diversity within the Spanish-speaking country.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. Offered: Summer term.
Students will use the medium of film to examine both Spanish and Latin American Cultures. By way of classroom discussion and written composition, students will analyze, compare and contrast, critically evaluate ideas and ideologies which are addressed both overtly and covertly in the films. Meets the general education global foundation and upper division writing intensive requirements.
Prerequisite: SPAN 220
Discussion and reading in Spanish of history, literature, art, and customs.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
The purpose of this course is to allow the students to learn and recognize the cultural traits of the Spanish people and culture through an immersion experience, living with a Spanish family. Students will visit important historical and cultural sites such as museums, galleries, cathedrals, etc. Students will also be asked to reflect on the works written by principle Spanish authors of the "Siglo de Oro."
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. (Offered summers.)
An overview of peninsular literature from "el cantar de mio cid" to the present. Discussions are centered around the text (including novels, drama, and poetry) and literary critique in general. Pre-req: SPAN 201 (Offered in a three year rotation)
Emphasizes the forces that shaped and are now reshaping the region. Examines historical reasons for the present problems that trouble the area. Cross listed with HIST 110/310. Meets the general education global foundations and humanities/historyl requirements.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in an upper division SPAN course. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
The purpose of this course is to improve the skills in the Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience for students who are already proficient in the language. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish-speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish. The reflections will be regarding the local culture in the region and diversity within the Spanish-speaking country.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. Offered: Summer term.
Study of the Hispanic novel through reading of selected novels. Meets the general education global foundation requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Conversation, readings, grammar review. Prerequisite: SPN 102 or equivalent. (Offered fall semester.)
This course will examine a wide range of themes including, but not limited to, topics such as comparative Hispanic cultural studies, the Spanish American short story, Spanish theatre studies, issues of immigration, and the Latino threat narrative. These will be taught through intermediate level reading texts, written assignments, aural activities, film studies, articles, news reports, and other current media sources. Prerequisite: SPAN 102
Practice in listening to spoken Spanish. Oral reports and informal conversation. Phonetics. Prerequisite: SPAN 102 or equivalent. (Offered spring semester.)
The purpose of this course is to learn Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish-speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish according to the student's proficiency level. The reflections will be regarding the culture of the region and the Spanish-speaking country. In addition, it is advised that the student enroll in the accompanying course "Spanish Cultural Immersion."
Prerequisite: SPAN101 (Offered summers.)
The purpose of this course is to learn Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish -speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish according to the student's proficiency level. The reflections will be regarding the use of the language in the region and the Spanish-speaking country. In addition, it is advised that the student enroll in the "Spanish Language" immersion class. Meets the general education global foundation requirement. (Offered summers.) Prerequisite: SPAN 101
Spanish House provides an immersion in a controlled academic on-campus context. Selected students sign a pledge to use only the Spanish language and must be currently enrolled in a Spanish class. The chief goals are to improve the speaking, writing, and verbal comprehension of students. Additionally, students will increase their appreciation for the culture by participating in the cooking and eating of meals and other planned activities. Students enrolling at the 381 level must have successfully completed SPAN 281. Requirement of Spanish major, Spanish education major: two semesters in the GC Spanish House, or one semester abroad in an approved program in a Spanish speaking country. (Offered every semester.)
SPAN301 Advanced Spanish Abroad (4 Credits)
Emphasizes the forces that shaped and are now reshaping the region. Examines historical reasons for the present problems that trouble the area. Cross listed with HIST 110/310. Meets the general education global foundations and humanities/historyl requirements.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in an upper division SPAN course. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Discussion and reading in Spanish of history, literature, art, and customs.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
The purpose of this course is to improve proficiency of the Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish-speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish. The reflections will be regarding the use of the language in the region and the Spanish-speaking country.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. Offered: Summer term.
The purpose of this course is to allow the students to learn and recognize the cultural traits of the Spanish people and culture through an immersion experience, living with a Spanish family. Students will visit important historical and cultural sites such as museums, galleries, cathedrals, etc. Students will also be asked to reflect on the works written by principle Spanish authors of the "Siglo de Oro."
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. (Offered summers.)
The purpose of this course is to improve the skills in the Spanish language and acquire a deeper understanding of a Spanish-speaking nation via an immersion experience for students who are already proficient in the language. Thus, the student will immerse her/himself in a Spanish-speaking country and, while in the country, the student will learn and practice as much Spanish as possible. The student will submit written reflections in Spanish. The reflections will be regarding the local culture in the region and diversity within the Spanish-speaking country.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201. Offered: Summer term.
An overview of peninsular literature from "el cantar de mio cid" to the present. Discussions are centered around the text (including novels, drama, and poetry) and literary critique in general. Pre-req: SPAN 201 (Offered in a three year rotation)
Students will use the medium of film to examine both Spanish and Latin American Cultures. By way of classroom discussion and written composition, students will analyze, compare and contrast, critically evaluate ideas and ideologies which are addressed both overtly and covertly in the films. Meets the general education global foundation and upper division writing intensive requirements.
Prerequisite: SPAN 220
This course is a high level course in which writing skills and correct grammar usage in Spanish are emphasized. Through a variety of written documents, students will focus on critical reading and the interpretation of texts, skills which will further help develop their ability to write correctly in Spanish. Students will acquire a better understanding of finer points of Spanish Grammar. Meets the general education global foundation requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Intense practical use of spoken Spanish at an advanced level, including formal presentations, translations, and debates. Focused work on phonetics and authentic language pronunciation is also important. Prereq: SPAN 220. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
Study of the Hispanic novel through reading of selected novels. Meets the general education global foundation requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 201 or equivalent. (Offered in a three year rotation.)
SPAN 281/381 La Casa de Espanol One or Two Credits
Spanish House provides an immersion in a controlled academic on-campus context. Selected students sign a pledge to use only the Spanish language and must be currently enrolled in a Spanish class. The chief goals are to improve the speaking, writing, and verbal comprehension of students. Additionally students will increase their appreciation for the culture by participating in the cooking and eating of meals and other planned activities. Students enrolling at the 381 level must have successfully completed SPAN 281. Requirement of Spanish major, Spanish education major: two semesters in the GC Spanish House, or one semester abroad in an approved program in a Spanish-speaking country. (Offered every semester.)
Each department offers a practicum or internship course numbered 405. In this course the student applies theories and skills learned in the major. Each experience should include significant learning opportunities related to the student's major field. Two supervisors are involved, a work supervisor and an academic supervisor. Registration must occur prior to the activity. Forty to sixty hours of work experience is required for each credit awarded. The experience may be paid or unpaid. Letter grades will be assigned unless otherwise stated in the departmental description. Students must consult with their academic supervisor at least twice during the experience. A learning experience summary paper following departmental guidelines is required as well as a final interview with the academic supervisor. A maximum of twelve credits may be applied to the degree. Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing with a 2.0 G.P.A., 18 semester credits completed in the field and departmental approval.
