Hispanic Studies
Professor: Ruiz, C.; Associate Professor: Wood, N., Marinescu, A. (Chair); Assistant Professor: Castro, A.; Sánchez Flores, J. Visiting Assistant Professor: Cárdenas, A.; Romero, G.
We offer the Hispanic Studies major (with two possible tracks: Spanish or Spanish and Portuguese) and the Romance Languages major.
In order to be placed at the most appropriate language level, all students are required to take our online placement test before enrolling in a Spanish course for the first time. For Portuguese language placement please contact the department.
Major Requirements
The Hispanic Studies major offers two tracks:
1. Hispanic Studies: Spanish
2. Hispanic Studies: Spanish and Portuguese
1. HISPANIC STUDIES: SPANISH
Two (2) prerequisite courses:
(1) SP306
Three (3) thematic core courses:
(1) SP350 “Transatlantic Studies”
(1) SP360 “Studies of Periodization”
(1) SP370 “Genre Studies”
Four (4) 300-level elective courses; may include one Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum (CLAC) designated interdisciplinary course or one PG designated course or one relevant course taught outside of the department and approved by student petition; may include up to 2 units of transfer credit from non-CC study abroad program. Please see department for list of courses.
One (1) SP433 Culminating Project
TOTAL: 10 units
*SP303 is a 2-unit course; if taken as prerequisite for the major, the second unit counts as one (1) elective course.
2. HISPANIC STUDIES: SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE
Four (4) prerequisite courses:
(1) SP306
(1) PG300
(1) PG305
Five (5) 300-level elective courses; must include two (2) PG courses; may include one (1) Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum (CLAC) designated interdisciplinary course; may include up to two (2) units of transfer credit from non-CC study abroad program. Please see department for list of courses.
One (1) SP433 Culminating Project
TOTAL: 10 units
*SP303 is a 2-unit course; if taken as prerequisite for the major, the second unit counts as one (1) elective course.
Romance Languages (Spanish or Portuguese; second language focus in French, Italian or Portuguese)
I. Primary focus in either Spanish, Portuguese (choose one)- Two prerequisite courses: 305 (or 312) and 306
- Three literature or culture courses at 300-level, may include one CLAC designated interdisciplinary course and may include SP431 “Honors Thesis”
- One unit “Culminating Project” SP433
- 305 in designated language
- 2 additional culture or literature courses
- 101 level Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian or Latin
TOTAL: 11-12 units
The following departmental policies apply to all majors:
- Up to two courses from an unaffiliated program (study abroad or transfer credit) will be accepted into the major. Students must consult with advisor prior to participation on study abroad programs and must submit course syllabi and other materials (papers, exams, etc.) upon return from study abroad for major credit. Students who study abroad on programs other than Colorado College's must take at least two courses beyond 306 at Colorado College in addition to 433 (or 432) as well as complete the major requirements as described above.
- SP299 and adjunct courses do not count towards the major.
- Distinction is awarded based on excellence in departmental work.
- Transferring students and students who have taken the IB or AP exam should contact the department before taking any language or literature course, since some of the prerequisites for the major may be waived.
Minor Requirements
Spanish Minor:
All students who wish to minor in Spanish must complete five units beyond SP201. The prerequisite for admission to the minor is SP201 (2 units) or equivalent.
Students must complete a minimum of five units, including the following:
Two prerequisite courses:
2. SP306
Three additional 300-level courses.
College transfer credit will be accepted, but at least three 300-level Spanish units must be completed at Colorado College. Up to two units of credit from an unaffiliated program (either study abroad or transfer credit) will be accepted into the minor. SP299 and adjunct courses do not count towards the minor.
*SP303 is a 2-unit course; if taken as prerequisite for the minor, the second unit counts as one of the three additional 300-level courses.
Courses
Portuguese
Introduces students to basic grammar structures and communication in the Portuguese language, with a focus on Brazilian culture and pronunciation. Develops proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Meets the Language Requirement requirement. (Not offered 2024-25).
An elementary-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Portuguese. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
An elementary-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Portuguese. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
This course will introduce students to some of the musical traditions of twentieth and twenty-first century Brazil as well as basic communication in Portuguese language. Students will explore traditions such as forró, samba, bossa nova, tropicália, MPB, sertaneja, batucada, funk, among others. Course may be taught in Portuguese depending on enrollment and prior language experience of students. (Not offered 2024-25).
An intermediate-level skills maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Portuguese. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
An intermediate-level skills maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Portuguese. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
This course will explore Brazilian authors, genres, literary periods, cinema or cultural trends at the introductory level. The structure of this course is determined by the nature or the topic and the preference of instructor. This course will be conducted in English or Portuguese, at instructor discretion. May be taught in Brazil. (Not offered 2024-25).
Meets the Language Requirement requirement. (Summer only 2024-25).
This course is an intensive introduction to Portuguese language for both students who have some prior (elementary) knowledge of Portuguese language as well as those students who have no prior experience with Portuguese but have a keen and dedicated interest in the language. Through accelerated language study in the four modalities—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—students will gain elementary level skills. (Not offered 2024-25).
Offers Romance Language speaking students the opportunity to study Portuguese language at an accelerated pace. Emphasizes the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills beyond the elementary level and incorporates readngs and discussion on topics in Lusophone cultures. (Not offered 2024-25).
This course is designed for students who are either native speakers of Spanish or those who have studied Spanish through the intermediate level. This course will rely upon the linguistic skills attained by Spanish-speakers to introduce grammatical structures and vocabulary at an accelerated pace. The focus of the course will be on communication within Brazilian Portuguese including speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Using a communicative and context-based methodology this course will take students through the intermediate level of Portuguese and prepare them for more advanced language study. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
(Not offered 2024-25).
(Not offered 2024-25).
Advanced composition and conversation practice through the study of literary and cultural texts of the Portuguese-speaking world. Thematic and regional emphases will vary by instructor and year. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
Introduction to one or several Lusophone countries through Portuguese language study and their cultural productions, such as film, art, music, and literature. Ordinarily taught as part of a foreign study program. (Not offered 2024-25).
This course may be taught in the Spanish and Portuguese Department or cross-listed in another program or department. The course must include some readings/discussion in Spanish and written assignments will be produced in Portuguese. Cross-lists must be approved by Spanish and Portuguese Department. Topics will vary depending on instructor. 1 unit.
This independent study is designed for students majoring in Romance Languages and/or students completing the Luso-Brazilian Studies thematic minor.
Designed to build on the half-block course PG299, this course offers Portuguese language students the opportunity to advance their language skills beyond the elementary level. Emphasis on the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills beyond the elementary level. Incorporates readings and discussion on topics in Lusophone culture. (Not offered 2024-25).
This thematic course will be taught in northeastern Brazil and explores the history and culture of the nation from a multidisciplinary perspective. The course focuses on the particular configuration of race relations in Bahia and the formation of Afro-Brazilian identity and its cultural expressions from a variety of historical and contemporary perspectives with the objective of providing the tools for critical assessment of complex social and cultural relations. In addition to course discussions led by the professor, students will have the opportunity to meet with local faculty and experts in the fields of Afro-Brazilian religions, Afro-Brazilian performing arts, and Afro-Brazilian history while on site in Salvador, Brazil. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Global Cultures requirement. (Not offered 2024-25).
This course will explore Brazilian authors, genres, literary periods, cinematic, or cultural trends. Course structure is determined by the nature of the topic as well as instructor preference. This course may be conducted in English or Portuguese, at the discretion of the instructor. May be taught in Brazil. (Not offered 2024-25).
Study of culture, genres, art film or literature of one or more Portuguese-speaking countries or region (Not offered 2024-25).
Spanish
This course is intended for students with no previous Romance Language experience, who have never studied Spanish before. A systematic introduction to grammar, pronunciation and the differences between Spanish and English structures. (Not offered 2024-25).
Study of basic grammatical structures and patterns with exercises meant to develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing presented in a cultural context. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
A lower-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Spanish. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
A lower-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Spanish. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
Meets the Language Requirement requirement. (Summer only 2024-25).
Review of fundamentals of Spanish grammar, composition, reading, and oral practice. Readings and discussion periods on topics of Hispanic cultures including literature, art, music and film. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
An upper-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Spanish. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
An upper-level maintenance course for students who plan to continue their study of Spanish. A systematic review of grammar with supervised conversation practice.
Participation in performance and production of a Spanish-language play, presented in Spanish. Rehearsal time 6-8 weeks. (Not offered 2024-25).
Meets the Language Requirement requirement. (Summer only 2024-25).
This two-week (half-block) course will use a communicative approach to review and practice the essential structures and concepts of Spanish grammar. It is intended to prepare students for courses at the 300 level. As the need exists, this course may be tailored to serve as an introduction to a program conducted in a Spanish-speaking country, in which case it will also include orientation to the country and culture. (Not offered 2024-25).
Course designed for heritage speakers who have been exposed to Spanish at home and via community experiences and cultural traditions. Students will expand their Spanish language proficiency in writing, reading, oral production and listening comprehension through engagement with Latino/Hispanic artistic productions relevant to their bilingual experiences in the U.S. Ultimately, we aim to raise students' critical awareness regarding their role in their community and address the sociopolitical realities of Spanish in the U.S. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
Transitional course between intermediate-level and advanced level language courses. Students will develop higher levels of listening comprehension, oral competence, and socio-cultural communicative proficiency and will acquire oral strategies of expression through the study of written and recorded cultural material dealing with a variety of aspects, issues, and realities of the Spanish speaking world. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
Intensive writing and conversation through the study of literary and cultural texts of the Spanish-speaking world. Thematic focus will be determined by instructor. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
Continues the acquisition of the Spanish language and trains students in the most important methods of critical analysis through readings in different genres. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
The study of Hispanic societies and their cultural productions, such as film, art, music, language and literature. Ordinarily taught as part of a foreign study program. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement.
This course may be taught in the Spanish and Portuguese Department or cross-listed in another Program or Department. The course must include some readings/discussion in Spanish and written assignments will be produced in Spanish. Cross-lists must be approved by the Spanish and Portuguese Department. Topics will vary depending on the instructor.
Advanced composition and conversation through the study of literary and cultural texts. Ordinarily taught as part of a foreign study program. Meets the Critical Learning: AIM requirement. Meets the Equity and Power: EPG requirement. Meets the Language Requirement requirement.
Study of Hispanic authors, genres, literary periods, cinema or cultural trends not represented in the regular curriculum. The structure of the particular course is determined by the nature of the topic and the preference of the instructor.
This course will explore cultural expression from a comparative focus on the Iberian Peninsula, the Americas and/or Africa. The aim is to move beyond the north-south, east-west divisions and challenge nationalistic narratives and instead privilege a critical, transnational, and comparativist reconstruction of Atlantic archives. Texts, expressive forms, regions and time periods under study will vary depending on instructor. May be repeated once for elective credit with a different instructor and topic. 1 unit. Meets the Equity and Power: EPG requirement. (Not offered 2024-25).
This course highlights the role of periodization in literary studies focusing on cultural production from periods prior to the 19th century. The purpose is to expose students to the intrinsic value of learning about pre-Columbian, Medieval, Golden Age, Colonial and other Early Modern periods. This course serves to ensure that students will understand the relationship between power, discourse and knowledge production across centuries. Expressive forms and specific time periods under study will vary depending on instructor. May be repeated once for elective credit with a different instructor and topic. 1 unit.
This course allows students to engage in a close study of one specific genre of cultural production. The objective of this course is an in-depth focus on the formal qualities and characteristics of the genre under study. Courses may include, but are not limited to: the novel, the essay, the short story, poetry, theater, film, visual and/or performing arts, etc. Texts, expressive forms, geographical emphasis and time periods under study will vary depending on instructor. May be repeated once for elective credit with a different instructor and topic. 1 unit.
Senior majors only. Departmental consent. Primarily for senior thesis work beyond regularly scheduled courses and not available to substitute for those courses.
Intensive writing and supervised revision of senior thesis with oral defense. The work will be carried independently under the supervision of a regular Spanish faculty member. Thesis will be written in Spanish and will be 40-50 pages in length; it will demonstrate sufficient and clear proficiency in written Spanish, critical analysis of relevant cultural productions, and integrated research in the area of study. Open only to students who have satisfied GPA requirements of 3.5 and 3.7 from the college and the department, respectively. Students who successfully complete this course will be eligible to apply to graduate with Distinction. Meets the Writing in the Discipline requirement.
The culminating project is comprised of two components: a portfolio of revised essays and an oral presentation. The portfolio is an opportunity for reflection and refinement of both written expression and thematic foci from the perspective of our discipline. Students will work closely with a series of essays written in prior upper-level courses (beyond SP306) to develop a portfolio of closely edited and researched short essays and an extensive final critical reflection. Themes and writing styles included in the portfolio will vary by student. Students will work in consultation with the professor to determine the essays appropriate for revision for the portfolio. At the end of the course, all students will give an oral presentation in the Spanish and Portuguese Department Colloquium.