In this course students will confront problematic grammatical and discursive issues, and analyze them in depth as they compare Spanish and English during translation tasks. The goal of this course is, therefore, to use translation to provide learners of Spanish with hands-on manipulation of grammatical, lexical, discursive, and cultural detail, so that they can improve their understanding of the Spanish language and appreciate the complexity and rigorous nature of professional translation. Prerequisite: WL301. Co-requisite TI405.

A full time (or equivalent part time) work assignment that provides the opportunity for the student to extend classroom learning through work experience in an appropriate setting. Prerequisites: TI333, TI334, TI415 or TI416.

Continuation and development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Further exposure to the cultures of Spanish speaking countries. Prerequisite: C- or higher in SH101 or equivalent.

Further expansion of the four language skills and cultural knowledge at an intermediate level. Prerequisite: C or higher in SH201 or equivalent.

Strong emphasis on reading, writing, and grammar review. Students approach writing as a process. Different writing genres are explored, including description, narration, exposition, argumentation and literary analysis. Students study and critique model compositions, and practice the composition process in stages. Emphasis on grammar structures and vocabulary enhancement is designed to improve written communication. Multiple drafts and peer editing of compositions are part of the process. Prerequisite: C or higher in WL202 or equivalent.

A course designed to integrate the four basic language skills: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The main focus of this course is based on controlled conversations correlated with readings, reports, debates, discussions and presentations. Topics include, among others, language, politics, national and personal identities, diversity issues, foreigners, minorities, the educational system, religion, and gender issues. This course may be repeated if taken abroad and on campus. Prerequisite: C or higher in WL202 or equivalent.

This course provides a comprehensive description of the sound system of Spanish, with attention to the major phonetic characteristics of regional varieties of Spanish both from Spain and Latin America. The main goal of this class is to help students improve their own pronunciation of Spanish through an understanding of how sounds are produced (phonetics) and organized in the Spanish language (phonology). It will also address common pronunciation problems faced by learners of Spanish. Prerequisite: SH301 or equivalent.

A course designed to integrate the four basic language skills: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The main focus of this course is based on controlled conversations correlated with readings, reports, debates, discussions and presentations. Topics include, among others, language, politics, national and personal identities, diversity issues, foreigners, minorities, the educational system, religion, and gender issues. This course may be repeated if taken abroad and on campus. Prerequisite: C or higher in SH301 or equivalent.

 A course designed to integrate the four basic language skills: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The main focus of this course is based on controlled conversations correlated with readings, reports, debates, discussions and presentations. Topics include, among others, language, politics, national and personal identities, diversity issues, foreigners, minorities, the educational system, religion, and gender issues. This course may be repeated if taken abroad and on campus. Prerequisite: C or higher in WL301 or equivalent.

Reading, discussion, and analysis of Peninsular works in prose, poetry, and/ or theater from the 12th century to the 17th century. The course’s organizing theme and its selection of genres may vary. Prerequisite: SH301 or equivalent. Recommended: SH302.

Reading, discussion, and analysis of the principal literary works and movements of Spanish America, from the Pre-Columbian times to the present. Prerequisite: SH301 or equivalent. Recommended SH302

Study of political and social institutions, education, art, architecture, literature, and music from pre-Columbian period to present; contemporary problems and everyday life. Prerequisite: WL301 or equivalent.

This is an experiential learning course dedicated to understand the effects of immigration on Spanish speaking children in the greater Grand Rapids Area. Aquinas students will analyze Spanish narratives and films. Class lecture and discussion will be conducted completely in Spanish, as well as the assignments and exams. In addition, Aquinas students will volunteer two (2) hours a week at a Bilingual School such as César E. Chávez Elementary School. Through this study, we will gain a perspective on multicultural and multilingual life in the Spanish-Speaking diaspora of Western Michigan. Prerequisite: WL301.