Study Abroad in Salamanca: Courses

Orientation courses

Given by the University of Salamanca Cursos Internacionales department, classes are conducted in Spanish by University professors. AIFS participants attend classes with international students in a diverse, multicultural environment. Four main language levels (elementary to superior) are further subdivided to accommodate varying skills. A placement exam after arrival determines appropriate levels. Classes meet 60 contact hours.

Intensive Elementary Spanish 102 fall only(4)
For students with no previous Spanish instruction and up to a year of high school or semester of college Spanish. Focus is on grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation and vocabulary development. Present, past and future tenses are studied in the indicative as well as subjunctive, along with regular and irregular verbs, interrogative and personal pronouns and possessive adjectives. Social and cultural topics covered include manners, introductions, customs, gastronomy, fiestas and traditions. The “cultural adaptation” or “immersion” portion of this course will focus on learning the most practical aspects of how to adjust to life in Spain.

Intensive Intermediate Spanish 202 fall/spring (4)
Solid knowledge of basic Spanish grammar structures and tenses and a fundamental vocabulary are necessary to place in this level. Emphasis is on fluid conversation, comprehension and vocabulary. Tenses, habitual actions in the past and abstract descriptions are explained. Grammar study is on the imperative, conditional and relative sentences, indirect speech, passive voice, intonation, prefixes, suffixes and affixes. Cultural topics include the influence of mass media on Spanish language, superstitions, beliefs, literature, humor and cinema. The “cultural adaptation” or “immersion” portion of this course will focus on learning the most practical aspects of how to adjust to life in Spain.

Intensive Advanced Spanish 302 fall/spring (4)
For students with a strong background in Spanish, this course deepens comprehension and works at a more sophisticated speaking style. Conversational skills are emphasized: conversations, arguments, debate, opinions, concession and opposition. Grammar focus is on verb forms in the past, nominal subordinate sentences, emphatic and metaphoric comparisons and meaning and use of the infinitive, gerund and participle. Cultural aspects include appropriate behavior and manners, stereotypes of regions of Spain and Hispanic countries, la tertulia (conversational gatherings), gestures, popular stories and legends. The “cultural adaptation” or “immersion” portion of this course will focus on learning the most practical aspects of how to adjust to life in Spain.

Intensive Superior Spanish 402 fall/spring (4)
Students in this level are essentially bilingual and want to perfect or understand grammatical complexities similar to those covered at the advanced level. Pragmatic issues are expressing and understanding humor, irony, sarcasm, anger, wonder and skepticism, persuading and convincing, expressing cause, consequence and purpose as well as agreement and disagreement. Grammar focuses on the pronoun se, idioms, colloquial Spanish, changes in sentence structures, direct object complements, paraphrases and Latin American Spanish. Cultural themes are the influence of other cultures on Spain, types of journalism, publicity in the media, dialects, Hispanic American writers, Spain’s political system and social attitudes. The “cultural adaptation” or “immersion” portion of this course will focus on learning the most practical aspects of how to adjust to life in Spain.

Semester courses

In this section:

Elementary level—fall semester only
Intermediate and advanced levels (Spanish Language and Civilization)
Superior level (University Lecture Courses)
Honors Program NEW!
Superior Level—Concentrations (Latin American Study Concentration or Teaching of Spanish as a Secondary Language Concentration) NEW
Optional independent study/January term

Elementary level

For students with little or no previous Spanish knowledge who wish to accelerate the process of language development through immersion. Offered only in the fall, this program is prepared and given by Cusos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca. The classes are composed of a mixture of students from all over the world, and instruction will be given entirely in Spanish. This method of teaching foreign languages has been proven immensely effective.

Spanish Grammar 204 fall only (6)
Greetings, introductions and farewells, as well as giving information about one’s self, short descriptions and comments. Interrogatives, verb use and pronouns. Aspects of Spanish culture are analyzed to provide background for certain language practices during 100 class hours.

Spanish Vocabulary Development 206 fall only (3)
Increasing the process of word acquisition is the goal. Students do not just learn new words, but develop the ability to make connections and semantic fields, taking advantage of patterns and processes. Different exercises (reading, visuals, games) increase vocabulary potential during 50 class hours.

Spanish Language Laboratory 208 fall only (3)
To reinforce language classes, this individualized practice in grammar, vocabulary and phonetics gives more varied input set at the student’s own pace with the possibility of concentrating on weak points. An instructor monitors each student individually and gives personalized attention. Meets for 50 hours.

Spanish Communication Skills 210 fall only (3)
Bridges the gap between knowledge of a language and its actual use. Different experiences encountered outside the classroom are simulated, for example, asking for a coffee, changing money, making a phone call, asking for directions, shopping, getting a haircut and going to the doctor. Meets for 50 hours.

Elementary Level students may also choose to take the History 305 “Discovery of the New World” course listed in the Intermediate and Advanced level as an elective as it is taught in English. Note that scheduling conflicts may occur between this course offered by AIFS and the Cursos Internacionales courses that make up the elementary level.

History 305 fall/spring (3)
Discovery of the New World*
Focus on the most important aspects that led to the discovery of the New World. Starting with the period of the Catholic Kings and Queens, this course analyzes the different phases of Columbus' voyages, his arrival to the New World, the subsequent extension of Spain in the Indies, the territorial order, the virreinatos and the extension of Spain's cultural, political and economical power throughout the 16th century.

*Note: this course is taught in English

Intermediate and advanced levels
(Spanish Language and Civilization)

Specially prepared only for AIFS students, these courses are taught in Spanish. A minimum of 10 must enroll for the course to be offered. A maximum of 15 semester credits can be selected to be added to four credits from orientation. Advanced students may combine these courses with superior level or regular University lecture courses when scheduling allows. Suggested units of credit shown in parentheses are equivalent to American credits based on one credit for a minimum 15 classroom hours.

Spanish 303 fall/spring (4)
Intermediate Spanish Grammar
(Gramática Española—nivel intermedio)
Problems Spanish grammar presents to foreign students—indicative tenses with emphasis on the contrasts between the indefinido and the imperfect and the present perfect tense, the future and conditional and how they contrast, the subjunctive with its use in subordinate clauses, ser or estar and use of prepositions.

Spanish 304 fall/spring (2)
Intermediate Translation
(Traducción—nivel intermedio)
(1) Makes students aware of common mistakes (usually due to interference from the first language); (2) accelerates learning vocabulary and grammar; and (3) stresses differences between the first and second language. With a textbook written especially for this class, translating simple sentences and texts is practiced to improve command of formal and colloquial Spanish.

Spanish 305 fall/spring (2)
Advanced Translation
(Traducción—nivel avanzado)
The purpose of this course is perfecting (not just learning) skills for translating English into Spanish. Texts especially written for this class stress grammar and vocabulary problems Americans encounter. Translation is employed as a way to understand and perfect written and spoken command of this second language.

Spanish 311 fall/spring (3)
Spanish Phonetics
(Fonética Española)
This course aims for authentic Spanish accent by studying intonation, pronunciation and rhythm, as well as Spanish and English vowel/consonant differences. Emphasis is on problems non-native Spanish speakers confront.

Spanish 314 spring only (3)
Perfection of Spanish Oral Skills
(Prácticas de Destrezas Orales)
The objective of this course is to develop and improve students’ oral skills in: formal and informal conversation, debate, everyday situations and communicative strategies and resources. Included are introductions in the classroom, surveys and questionnaires, discussions about topics of interest, simulations of everyday life situations, lexical, grammatical and functional practice.

Spanish 403 fall/spring (4)
Advanced Spanish Grammar
(Gramática Española—nivel avanzado)
Use of indicative tenses, the subjunctive in simple or complex structures, ser or estar, prepositions and conjunctions. Different meanings of se and verbal circumlocution. Students practice speaking, prepare compositions, read and discuss Spanish novels, magazines and newspapers.

Spanish 404 spring only (4)
Superior Level Spanish Grammar
(Gramática Española—nivel superior)
More difficult grammatical aspects: use of the present and future, complicated subordinate structures, adverb structures and their conjunctions and prepositions. In-depth command of formal vocabulary, as well as exercises that promote semantic precision. Written Spanish is developed through descriptive and narrative texts, letters and argumentative compositions.

Art 307 fall only (3)
Spanish Art in the Renaissance and Baroque Periods
(El arte Español en el Renacimiento y el Barroco)
Renaissance and Baroque painting, sculpture and architecture. Renaissance manifestations include plateresque art with its important developments in Salamanca, El Escorial architecture and El Greco paintings. Baroque trends are highlighted by ornate Churrigueresque art, Castilian sculptures, Andalusian schools and painting by Zurbarán, Ribera and Velázquez. Slides, videos, readings and visits to monuments.

Art 308 spring only (3)
Modernism and Avant-Garde in Contemporary Spanish Art
(Modernismo y Vanguardias en el arte español Contemporáneo)
Emphasis is on 20th century vanguard movements with artists Picasso, Gris, Miró and Dali. Beginning with 18th century art—primarily Goya, a forerunner—and continuing through 19th century Romanticism and Realism, this course concludes with the latest artistic trends. Also studied are the influences of Impressionism and Expressionism until Modernism is encountered, highlighting Gaudi’s Catalan Modernism.

Economics 303 fall only (3)
Economy of the European Union
(Economía de la Unión Europea)
Economic, historical and political aspects of European integration. Theoretical aspects, EU historical evolution, its government, budget and common policies. Key issues regarding the introduction of the European Monetary Union and effects of new currency (the euro). No prior knowledge of economics required.

Political Science 307 spring only (3)
Understanding Globalization
(Introductccion a la Globalizacion)
The issue of global war and peace in the Post Cold War Era from the perspective of four central paradigms. The four frames of reference (the Realist, the Idealist, the Determinist and the Culturalist) differ profoundly on the nature of armed struggle between states after the fall of the Soviet Union. Students who understand these models develop special insight into the nature of war, peace, and the dilemmas of human survival in the global New World Order of poli-centric state competition. The dynamics of international relations, the roots of terrorism, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the growth of rogue states.

History 301 fall only (3)
Contemporary Spanish History: Restoration to the Second Republic
(Historia de España Contemporánea: de la Restauración a la Segunda República)
Historical background to understand current Spain, beginning at the end of the 19th century and the restoration of the Borbons. Cuban war crisis, Alfonso XIII’s period, role of Spain in WWI, the wars in Africa, Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship and restoration of the Second Republic until the 1936 military uprising.

History 302 spring only (3)
Contemporary Spanish History: Civil War to Democracy
(Historia de España Contemporánea: de la Guerra Civil a la Democracia)
The 1936 military uprising, Spanish Civil War, the establishment of Franco’s dictatorship and the transition to democracy. The 1978 constitution, first general election, triumph of Suárez’s political party, change initiated by the socialist government and key historical events as Spain integrates into the European Union.

*Note: this course is taught in English

Literature 309 spring only (3)
Spanish Literature and Cinema
(Literatura y cine españoles)
Theory and practice of cinematic adaptation of Spanish writers such as Lope de Vega’s baroque El Perro del Hortelano by director Pilar Miró and contemporary Miguel Delibes’s Los Santos Inocentes adapted by Mario Camus. Readings and film viewings.

Literature 310 fall only (3)
Medieval and Golden Century Spanish Literature in its Context
(Literatura medieval y del Siglo de Oro en su contexto)
Spanish Literature from the medieval period and the Golden Century is closely bound to the city of Salamanca. This course will study prominent authors and their most significant works that have a direct tie to this city (El libro del Buen Amor, La Celestina, El Lazarillo de Tormes, etc.). Students will visit places of interest in Salamanca related to the literary texts to be studied within the course.

Literature 315 fall only (3)
Contemporary Hispano-American Novel
(Novela Hispanoamericana Contemporánea)
The contemporary Hispano-American narrative in its mature level warrants international recognition. The new Hispano-American novel starting with the 1940s and the “postboom” of the 1980s and 1990. Authors studied include Juan Rulfo, Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, José Donoso and Carlos Fuentes.

Literature 316 spring only (3)
Women’s Latin American Literature
(Literatura femenina latinoamericana)
Starting with works of Delmira Agustina, Juana de Ibarbourou and Alfonsina Storni, the study of 20th century Hispanic-American literature continues with the poetry of Alejandra Pizarnik, Giocona Belli, Rosario Ferré, Blanca Varela y Cristina Peri Rossi as well as Latin American novels by Teresa de la Parra to Isabel Allende and post-modernist Luisa Valenzuela.

Sociology 304 fall/spring (3)
Spanish Culture and Civilization
(Cultura y Civilización Españolas)
Highlights of the history, art, literature, cinema, economy, daily life, mass media, cuisine, etc. of the country. The goal is to understand what “Spanish” means objectively, devoid of stereotypes.

Cursos Internacionales

AIFS intermediate and advanced students may also take the following courses offered for semester credit providing there are no scheduling conflicts. Since they are offered to all foreign students, the environment is multicultural.

Spanish 312 fall only (3)
Perfection of Spanish Writing Skills
(Prácticas de destrezas escritas)
Refines written Spanish skills by covering varieties of text (colloquial, literary and neutral), commenting on newspaper articles, analyzing narratives, fairy tales and stories and creating formal and informal letters and cards, advertising copy, articles, instructions, interviews, diaries and biographies. Meets for 50 hours.

Spanish 314 fall only (3)
Perfection of Spanish Oral Skills
(Prácticas de destrezas orales)
Oral skills in formal and informal conversation as well as everyday situations. Introductions, surveys and questionnaires, discussions of topics of interest, simulations, lexical, grammatical and functional practice. Meets for 50 hours.

Superior level

AIFS students with excellent written and oral command of Spanish attend regular University lecture courses with Spanish students. Because the academic environment and teaching methods are so different, the AIFS academic advisor, Dr. Carlos Cabrera of the University’s Spanish Language Department, counsels and orients AIFS students.

Although these University courses run on a different semester calendar, students may take an early exam to comply with the AIFS calendar in the fall. However, spring semester students who choose to take superior level courses are required by the University to stay until the end of May to take their exam (AIFS housing is included until the end of May if a student has chosen AIFS housing). Superior level courses can be combined with Spanish Language and Civilization courses (intermediate and advanced levels) and may be audited if space is available. Flexibility is essential, as courses frequently change and scheduling conflicts may be encountered. Courses may be offered either semester, but the confirmed list is available only at the start of each semester. Selections can be approved only after arrival. Some courses have prerequisites. These courses are samples from the University’s 30 specialty areas:

Art
Contemporary Spanish Art, Spanish Romanesque and Gothic Art, Spanish Art in the Golden Ages, Video

Economics
Economy in the European Community, Spanish and World Economy, Latin American Economy, Economic Foundations

History and politics
Social Movements in Contemporary Spain, Contemporary History of Spain, Modern History of Spain, Women in Contemporary History, Society and Conflict in Spain: Second Republic and Francoism, Peninsular Islam, Pre-Hispanic and Indian America, Politics and Society in Latin America, History of Spain through Art, Contemporary History

Languages
I, II and III levels in French, German, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Portuguese and Italian

Linguistics
Varieties of Spanish, History of the Spanish Language, The Spanish Rule, Spanish Morphosyntax, Spanish Phonology and Phonetics, General Linguistics, Lexical Competence

Teaching of Spanish
Practical Spanish Grammar, Methodology for Teaching Spanish,Teaching Spanish as a Second Language, Applied Linguistics

Spanish literature
20th Century Literature, Spanish Theater, Spanish Poetry, The Spanish Novel, Literature and Cinema, General Literature of Spain, Medieval Literature, Golden Age Literature, 18th and 19th Century Literature

Hispano-American literature
20th Century Hispano-American Literature, Medieval Literature, Colonial Hispano-American Literature, 19th Century Hispano-American Literature

Other literature
English and North American Literature, French Literature, German Literature, Portuguese Literature, Italian Literature.

Superior level courses

The following are examples of some of the most popular superior level courses with AIFS students:

Art 405 spring only (3)
Contemporary Spanish Art
(Arte Español Contemporánea)
Beginning with the Vanguard and its different artistic manifestations (Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, etc.), this course studies Picasso, J. Gris, Miró and Dali within the European context that nurtured them.

Art 407 spring only (3)
Contemporary Artistic Tendencies
(Últimas Tendencias Artísticas)
Neo-constructivism tendencies (post-pictorial Abstraction, Minimal, Op Art), the return to the figure (Pop Art and Hyperrealism), the Transvanguard, postmodern architecture, High Tech and Deconstructionism.

Art 409 spring only (3)
Islamic and Hispano-Muslim Art
(Arte Islámico y Arte Hispanomusulman )
Focus of the course is on the artistic contribution throughout the medieval period in Spain. The different variations of Islamic art will be analyzed—such as art in Cordoba, Taifia art, "Nararí" art or Granadinian art, Mudéjar art, etc.

Art 411 fall only (3)
History of Spanish Modern Art
(Historia del Arte Moderno Español)
This course is a contextualized study of the principal Spanish artists and their works through the Golden Century, covering architecture as well as painting and sculpture.

Art 413 fall only (3)
Hispano Flamenco Art and Architecture
(Arte y Arquitectura Hispanoflamenca)
A study of the concepts and characteristics of Hispano-Flamencan art in Spain as well as its most significant manifestations in architecture, painting and sculpture.

Art 415 spring only (3)
History of Contemporary Spanish Art
(Historia del arte contemporáneo español)
The study of Spanish art of the 19th and 20th century in its historical context, general characteristics and its contrast with European artistic tendencies.

Art 417 fall only (3)
History of Hispano-American Art
(Historia del arte hispanoamericano)
This course covers the great contributions and innovations of the art from the New World with emphasis on the artistic manifestations between the 16th and the 18th century.

Art 419 fall only (3)
History of Spanish Cinema
(Historia del Cine Español)
An initiation into Spanish cinema relating the historical conditions to its development.

Economics 411 fall only (3)
Economy in the European Community
(Economía en la Comunidad Europea)
An introduction to the economic situation in European Union countries including the history of the European Community, the unified market, the common marketing policy and the process toward attaining economic and monetary union.

History 417 fall/spring (3)
Contemporary History of Spain
(Historia contemporánea de España)
The framework of the most relevant political, economic, social and cultural processes in contemporary Spain. The period studied encompasses from the crisis of the former regimen at the beginning of the 19th century up to the present.

History 419 fall/spring (3)
History of Latin America
(Historia de América Latina)
The course will cover the history of Latin America since its origins, the results of the arrival of the Spanish, the colonial process, etc. In spring semester the course will focus on independence movements and the political and social processes that occur after the constitution of the Latin American republics.

History 421 spring only (3)
Contemporary History of Latin America
(Historia de América Latina actual)
Analysis of the political and social situation in Latin America from 1960 on covering populisms, dictatorships and democracies.

Linguistics 417 fall only (3)
Varieties of Spanish
(Variedades del Español)
Internal and dialectal varieties of the Spanish language with an emphasis on the distinctive features relating to phonetics, morphosyntax and lexis. Attention is paid to the southern varieties of Spain, and to the different characteristics between Spanish people from Spain and Spanish people from America.

Linguistics 419 fall only (3)
Spanish Morphosyntax
(Morfosintaxis del Español)
The study of simple sentences in Spanish, its classifications and the study of the components of a sentence: subject and predicate as well as complements of nouns and verbs, its functions and its characteristic syntactic features.

Linguistics 421 fall/spring (3)
History of Spanish
(Historia del español)
Studies the changes that the Spanish language has experimented through the centuries since its first appearance in medieval Castillian text up to the present. Students will learn the characteristics of Spanish through history which will permit them to differentiate Spanish texts from different periods based on linguistic analysis.

Literature 421 fall only (3)
Spanish Theater
(Teatro Español)
A detailed study of drama productions of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The study of authors and their works who are considered the most important exponents relating to the Spanish drama through the ages including Tirso de Molina, Lope de Vega and Calderon de la Barca among others.

Literature 423 fall only (3)
Spanish Poetry
(Poesía Española)
Basic strategies for approaching poetic texts, focusing mainly on 20th century poetry but also touching on the different tendencies of Spanish poetry through the ages.

Literature 425 fall only (3)
The Spanish Novel
(Novela Española)
Basic strategies for approaching Spanish novels of this century. Their context and authors from the beginning of the century such as Miguel de Unamuno, as well as the Vanguard novel, the Civil War novel, the novel during the Franco era through Post- Francoism and democracy.

Literature 427 fall/spring (3)
20th Century Hispano-American Literature
(Literatura Hispanoamericana del siglo XX)
Selected writers are studied within cultural and literary contexts. Genres covered are pre-1940 (from the end of the 19th century to the Vanguard) to the Post-Vanguard and New Novel. Authors studied vary.

Methodology 429 fall only (3)
Practical Spanish Grammar
(Gramatica Práctica del Español)
Detailed study of the most important problems of Spanish grammar, enabling students to understand the outstanding difficulties a professor teaching Spanish as a second language may encounter. Because of the large number of Spanish and foreign students participating in this class, enrollment may be restricted.

Methodology 431 fall only (3)
Methodology for Teaching Spanish
(Metodologia para la Enseñanza del Espanol)
Method and materials to use with different strategies for teaching Spanish as a second language class. Activities that develop oral and written skill at different levels.

Honors Program NEW!

This program is open to students in good standing with a 3.0 minimum GPA and an excellent command of the Spanish language. Acceptance into the Honors Program will be determined by a University of Salamanca placement test and an interview with the AIFS Academic Advisor, Carlos Cabrera, once on campus. No guarantee of acceptance can be given in advance.

It is required that students participating in the Honors Program take the AIFS Spanish 403—Advanced Spanish Grammar course and the remainder of their semester courses at the Superior Level (400 level courses). In the spring semester, Honors Program students must stay on until the end of May to properly complete these upper level Spanish courses.

The Honors Program also includes an optional course of independent study:

Spanish 425 fall/spring (3)
Independent Study
This course will have monthly tutorial supervision. Each student must write a research paper (15,000 to 20,000 words) in Spanish, from the following topics:

The influence of the University of Salamanca In Iberoamerica.
Cervantes and Don Quixote
The voyages of Columbus and the role that Salamanca played in the expansion of Spain in the New World.
The Spanish Civil War
Salamanca's role in Spanish Literature of the Golden Age

For participants in the Honors Program, two years of high school Spanish or one year of college Spanish is required. Students who took Spanish in high school must send a copy of their high school transcript to AIFS for review.

Enrollment in the Honors Program is contingent upon passing the University placement test. Students who do not meet the language requirement will be placed into the standard semester courses offered in the regular AIFS program at the University.

Superior Level—Concentrations

Part of the Superior Level (University courses). AIFS offers two concentrations for bilingual students: Latin American Studies and The Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language. It is required that students participating in this program take the AIFS Advanced Spanish Grammar course. Spring semester students are required by the University to stay until the end of May to take their exam (housing until the end of May is included if a student has elected AIFS housing). With the permission of the AIFS Academic Advisor, Dr. Carlos Cabrera, some of the classes listed for the concentrations may be substituted for an alternative course related to the subject. This may be due to a particular interest on the part of the AIFS student or necessary in the case of scheduling conflicts. Other concentrations, such as Economy or Literature, may be arranged by petition from the AIFS Academic Advisor. However, students must first consult with the appropriate Admissions Officer for details.

Orientation Intensive Advanced or Superior Spanish 302 or 402 (4 semester credits/60 hrs). See Spanish Orientation section for course description.

Latin American Study Concentration fall courses

Spanish 403 fall/spring (4)
Advanced Spanish Grammar
(Gramática Española - nivel avanzado)
See course description in Spanish Language and Civilization in the Intermediate and Advanced Level's course listings.

Political Science 404 fall only (3)
Latin American Politics and Society
(Política y sociedad en América Latina)
This course allows students to choose five different mini-courses concerning Latin America. Each course consists of 10 hours and approximately 20 different courses are offered each semester. These mini-courses are offered by the Institute of Iberoamerican Studies of the University of Salamanca and are taught by recognized visiting professors—specialists in their area—from various European and American universities.

Course examples

Ethnic Development and Regional Autonomy in Latin America
The Protection of Human Rights in Latin American Constitutions
Religion and Politics in Latin America in the Age of Pluralism
Mexico City—Moving towards a Megapolis: A Historical Perspective
Borges: Paradox in Time
Exterior Politics of the USA Towards Latin America: frames of reference, historical realities and projects
Culture, Politics and Narcotraffic in Colombia
Chavismo and AntiChavismo in Venezuela

Literature 406 19th Century
Latin American Literature fall only (3)
(Literatura Latinoamericana del Siglo XIX)
Texts to be analyzed in this course: El Periquillo Sarmiento, Facundo, Martín
Fierro among others. Though the course will center on narratives, poetry and drama will also be studied and discussed.

Literature 410 fall only (3)
20th Century Latin American Novel
(Narrativa Latinoamericana del Siglo XX)
The most relevant Latin American authors, particularly after 1940 when the New Novel began, will be covered in this course.

Latin American Study Concentration spring courses

Spanish 403 fall/spring (4)
Advanced Spanish Grammar
(Gramática Española—nivel avanzado)
See course description in Spanish Language and Civilization in the Intermediate and Advanced Level's course listings.

Political Science 405 spring only (3)
Latin American Politics and Society
(Política y sociedad en América Latina)
This course allows students to choose five different mini courses concerning Latin America. Each course consists of 10 hours and approximately 20 different courses are offered in the semester. The courses are offered by the Institute of Iberoamerican Studies of the University of Salamanca and are taught by recognized visiting professors—specialists in their area—from various European and American universities.

Course examples

Ethnic Development and Regional Autonomy in Latin America
The Protection of Human Rights in Latin American Constitutions
Religion and Politics in Latin America in the Age of Pluralism
Mexico City—Moving towards a Megapolis: A Historical Perspective
Borges: Paradox in Time
Exterior Politics of the USA Towards Latin America: frames of reference, historical realities and projects
Culture, Politics and Narcotraffic in Colombia
Chavismo and AntiChavismo in Venezuela

Literature 407 spring only (3)
19th and 20th Century Latin American Literature
(Literatura Latinomamericana del Siglo XIX y XX
Study of the various Latin American literary genres, the course will focus on the works of the most distinguished authors with emphasis on narratives.

Literature 409 spring only (3)
20th Century Latin American Poetry
(Poesía Latinoamericana del Siglo XX)
Panorama of the Latin American lyric after the Vanguard Period. Authors such as Octavio Paz, José Luis Borges, Benedetti, etc. will be studied with the intention of comprehending the significance of Latin—American poetry from the 30's to the present.

Teaching of Spanish as a Secondary Language Concentration fall courses

Spanish 410 fall only (3)
Practical Problems in the Teaching of Spanish I
(Problemas practicas en la enseñanza del español I)
A study of the basic problems encountered in Spanish Grammar with emphasis on specific problems with verbs such as the use of the past and the subjunctive.

Spanish 414 fall only (3)
Practical Problems in the Teaching of Spanish II
(Problemas practicas en la enseñanza del español II)
This course centers specifically on the problems that arise in the teaching of certain syntax structures with special focus on relative and adverbial sentences. Emphasis will also be placed on the use of the different nexus and conjunctions used in adverbial subordination.

Spanish 418 fall only (3)
Correct Spanish
(El Español Correcto)
Analysis of the most important issues concerning the Rule and the use of presentday Spanish in different linguistic circumstances. Orthography, phonetics, morphosyntax and lexicon will be covered.The class will contemplate contemporary Spanish language and its most recent changes as well as to reflect on the most common normative problems amongst Spanish speakers.

Teaching of Spanish as a Secondary Language Concentration spring courses

Spanish 419 spring only (3)
Correct Spanish
(El español correcto)
Analysis of the most important issues concerning the Rule and the use of present-day Spanish in different linguistic circumstances. Orthography, phonetics, morphosyntax and lexicon will be covered.The objective of the class will be to describe contemporary Spanish language and its most recent changes as well as to reflect on the most common normative problems amongst Spanish speakers.

Spanish 423 spring only (3)
Applied Linguistics
(Lingüística Aplicada)
How linguistics is focused with a particular goal in mind, such as in teaching, is studied. The class does an in-depth analysis of the styles and tendencies that are being employed today in the teaching of foreign languages.

Spanish 431 spring only (3)
Methodology of the Teaching of Spanish
(Metodología para la enseñanza del español)
Review of the different strategies and didactic aspects that are applied to the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. The course includes visits to Spanish Grammar courses being given to North American programs at the University of Salamanca to better observe and understand the strategies being used in the classroom by Spanish professors.

Optional independent study/January term

Course Title and number to be determined (3 credits)
Full year students may take an optional independent study between semesters. A supplemental fee of $850 covers AIFS homestay accommodations for January, three meals a day and the cost of faculty supervision of the independent study. Students must choose a topic related to one of the AIFS courses listed in the catalog such as Spanish History, art, literature, economics or language. They must write a 20-page paper to be supervised and graded by the same professor who teaches the course related to their topic. Students are expected to spend at least 45 hours on this project, which will be recorded on their transcript and recommended for three academic credits.