Program Info
Study Abroad in Granada: Courses
View and print all course descriptions
Recommended credits are shown in parentheses. Add/drop is permitted during the first 3 days of class. Please note that courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University of Granada.
INTENSIVE SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM (SESSIONS 1, 2, 3 OR 4)
All students take a Spanish language course. Students (except Session 1) may also opt to take the 1.5-credit Conversation Practice course. A minimum enrollment of 10 students is required for this course to run.
Intermediate, Advanced and Superior level students can opt to take the Conversation Practice course or a 1.5 credit subject course (taught in Spanish) from the Spanish Language and Culture Program. When choosing electives please bear in mind that there may be scheduling conflicts.
Spanish Language Courses
Spanish 101 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Beginner A1
This level is for students who have no previous knowledge of Spanish. During this
course, students will be able to understand and express themselves in everyday
situations and those related to the personal experiences of the learner, with basic
language recourses. Students will be able to exchange simple and direct information.
Included topics are: the present tense indicative or regular and irregular verbs,
demonstrative and possessive adjectives, pronunciation and intonation, uses of “ser”,
“estar” and “hay”, frequent reflexive verbs and definite and indefinite articles.
Spanish 102 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Elementary A2
Students who have studied Spanish only in high school, or 1 or 2 semester(s) in
college generally place in this level. During this course, students will be able to
understand and express themselves in everyday situations and those related to the
personal experiences of the learner, with basic language recourses. Students will be
able to exchange simple and direct information. Included topics are: forms and uses of
the gerund, forms and uses of “gustar”, “encantar”, “interesar”, the differences between
“ser” and “estar”, the preterit perfect tense, positive imperative and expressions of
cause and excuse.
Spanish 103 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Pre-Intermediate A2+
A bridge level between the Elementary and Intermediate levels, this course
concentrates on increasing students’ oral and written skills. Students who have
studied 1 or 2 semesters in high school generally place in this level. Students will be
able to ask for and give personal information, compare, express opinions, security and
insecurity and judgments. Grammar topics include: demonstrative and possessive
pronouns, direct and indirect object pronouns, the preterit, the imperative and the
imperfect tenses.
Spanish 201 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Intermediate B1.1
Students who have studied Spanish throughout high school and continued with 1 or
2 semester(s) in college, or students who have 2 or 3 semesters in college, usually
place in this level. During this course, students will be able to understand and express
themselves in general situations that require the interchange of information and
show personal attitudes about a multitude of familiar themes, not exclusively related
to personal experience. Specific content includes: contrasting uses of the indefinite
and the indicative perfect, morphology and uses of the indicative imperfect, “hace”,
impersonal “se”, “parecerse”, and possessive adjectives and pronouns, making
hypothesis.
Spanish 202 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Upper Intermediate B1.2
Students who have studied Spanish throughout high school and continued with 2
or 3 semesters in college, or students who have four semesters in college, usually
place in this level. Focus is on communication skills and grammar. During this course,
students will be able to understand and express themselves in general situations that
require the interchange of information and show personal attitudes about a multitude
of familiar themes, not exclusively related to personal experience. Specific content
includes: morphology and uses of the future and conditional tenses, morphology and
uses of the present subjunctive, giving advice, morphology and uses of the imperfect
subjunctive.
Spanish 301 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Advanced B2.1
Students with at least 5 semesters of college Spanish, experience living in a Spanishspeaking
country or Spanish study on a regular basis since elementary school usually
place in this level. During this course, students will be able to understand and express
themselves in multiple situations not necessarily familiar to them that will require
exchanging information and personal opinions with complex linguistic structures.
Specific content includes: uses of the imperfect, preterit, conditional, imperative
and subjunctive, correlation of the tenses in specific communicative situations—
arguments, debates, degrees of possibility, cause, consequence, etc., direct and
indirect object pronouns, and the impersonal “se”.
Spanish 302 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Upper Advanced B2.2
Students with at least 5 semesters of college Spanish, experience living in a Spanishspeaking
country or Spanish study on a regular basis since elementary school usually
place in this level. During this course, students will be able to understand and express
themselves in multiple situations not necessarily familiar to them that will require
exchanging information and personal opinions with complex linguistic structures.
Specific content includes: use of the subjunctive in forming opinions, values and
attitudes, marginal uses of the imperfect: dreams, fiction, virtuosity, use of the
compound conditional in the formulation of hypothesis, and phonetic characteristics
of Spanish.
Spanish 401 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Superior C1.1
Students with at least 6 semesters of college Spanish place into this level. During this
course, students will be able to understand and express themselves correctly and
with fluidity in situations familiar to them and communicate adequately in situations
that are not familiar to them through linguistically complex structures. Specific topics
include: specific uses of the infinitive, gerund, participle, conditional and future
tenses, particularities in the use of “ser” and “estar” and the passive voice. Cultural
content includes themes such as: “20th Century Spanish History”, “The Cultural
legacy: Christian, Jews and Moors”, and “Gastronomy: The Mediterranean Diet”.
Spanish 402 (5) | Intensive Spanish Language–Proficiency C2
Bilingual students generally place into this level. During this course, students will be
able to understand and express themselves correctly and with fluidity in situations
familiar to them and communicate adequately in situations that are not familiar to
them through linguistically complex structures. Specific topics include: prepositional
patterns of verbs; problematic prepositions; proverbs and sayings; lexical adaptations
on different socio-linguistic levels and varied conversational recourses. Cultural
content includes themes such as: “The Family Structure”, “Principle Political, Cultural
and Ideological Tendencies in Today’s Spain”, “Bullfighting” and “Flamenco”.
Spanish 110/210/310/410 (0.5) (1.5) (Not available in Session 1) | Conversation Practice
Open to students at all levels. Students increase their communicative competence
through intensive practice in speaking Spanish. Emphasis on pronunciation and
vocabulary through discussion of contemporary topics such as newspapers,
magazines, literary texts, songs and television commercials.
SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAM (SESSIONS 2, 3, 4 OR 2 + 4 COMBINED)
This program is offered to students with an Intermediate and above level of Spanish. You can take any combination of courses adding up to 6 credits. All classes are taught in Spanish.
3-Credit Spanish Language Courses
Spanish 203 (3) | Spanish Language Intermediate B1
Students who have studied Spanish throughout high school and continued with 1 or
2 semester(s) in college, or students who have 2 or 3 semesters in college, usually
place in this level. During this course, students will be able to understand and express
themselves in general situations that require the interchange of information and
show personal attitudes about a multitude of familiar themes, not exclusively related
to personal experience. Specific content includes: contrasting uses of the indefinite
and the indicative perfect, morphology and uses of the indicative imperfect, “hace”,
impersonal “se”, “parecerse”, and possessive adjectives and pronouns, making
hypothesis. This course meets for 45 hours.
Spanish 303 (3) | Spanish Language Advanced B2
Students who have studied Spanish throughout high school and continued with 2 or 3
semesters in college, or students who have 4 semesters in college, usually place in this
level. Focus on communication skills and grammar. During this course, students will
be able to understand and express themselves in general situations that require the
interchange of information and show personal attitudes about a multitude of familiar
themes, not exclusively related to personal experience. Specific content includes:
morphology and uses of the future and conditional tenses, morphology and uses of the
present subjunctive, giving advice, morphology and uses of the imperfect subjunctive.
This course meets for 45 hours.
Spanish 403 (3) | Spanish Language Superior C
Students with at least 5 semesters of college Spanish, experience living in a Spanishspeaking
country or Spanish study on a regular basis since elementary school usually
place in this level. During this course, students will be able to understand and express
themselves in multiple situations not necessarily familiar to them that will require
exchanging information and personal opinions with complex linguistic structures.
Specific content includes: uses of the imperfect, preterit, conditional, imperative, and
subjunctive, correlation of the tenses in specific communicative situations - arguments,
debates, degrees of possibility, cause, consequence, etc., direct and indirect object
pronouns, and the impersonal “se.” This course meets for 45 hours.
3-Credit Subject Courses
Art/History 303 (3) | General History and History of Art in Spain
Follows the development of Spanish art from its Arabic origins to the present including
Islamic, Visigothic, Mozarabic, Romanesque, Mudejar, Gothic, and the Renaissance and
Baroque periods. Emphasis is placed on the Spanish masters: Velázquez, Goya, Picasso
and Dalí. After a brief introduction to Spain’s history, this course covers aspects of
contemporary history of Spain. It reviews the political, social and economic problems
from 1900 to 1975: Alfonso XII, the Civil War, and the Franco regime. This course also
covers the post-Franco transition to Democracy including the Constitution of 1978.
Geography/History 303 (3) | Geography and History of Spain
Topics include Spain’s climate and vegetation, the development of towns, and the
current distribution of population, agriculture and industry, internal communications,
foreign trade, tourism and the evolution of the Spanish economy. After a brief
introduction to Spain’s history, this course covers aspects of contemporary history of
Spain. It reviews the political, social and economic problems from 1900 to 1975: Alfonso
XII, the Civil War, and the Franco regime. This course also covers the post-Franco
transition to Democracy including the Constitution of 1978.
Law 303 (3) only offered in Session 2 | The Legal System in Spain and the European Union and Spanish Business Law
This course addresses the essential institutions of the Spanish and European legal
system as a starting point to deepen the study of business law.
Literature 303 (3) | Spanish and Latin American Literature
Traces the major movements and principal authors of Spanish literature. Movements
and periods studied include: Medieval romances, the Siglo de Oro, Romanticism, 20th
century. Genres such as drama, poetry and novels are studied. Authors and works such
as La Celestina, El Lazarillo de Tormes, Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote, Lope de Vega,
and García Lorca are studied. This course pursues literary trends of Latin American
countries throughout the 20th century. Authors and portions of works such as Azuelo’s
“Los de abajo”, Pablo Neruda, Jorge Luis Borge’s “Ficciones”, Isabel Allende and Laura
Esquivel are studied.
Religion/Sociology 310 (3) | Spanish and Islamic Civilization and Culture
Discusses the importance and the effect of Islamic rule on Spain’s history, tradition,
language, and culture. Topics include: the concept of Islam, the message of the Koran,
Andalucía under Islamic rule, North African dynasties in Andalucía, the Nazari dynasty
of Granada, cultural, literary, and artistic aspects of Islam, and Islamic architecture
and symbols as exemplified by the Alhambra. Spanish civilization and contemporary
society are examined through themes such as the relationships between professional,
labor and cultural sectors, the aging of the population, gypsies, bullfighting, holidays,
gastronomy and Flamenco. Audio-visuals, newspapers, magazines and texts are used.
Sociology 311 (3) | Spanish and Latin American Civilization and Culture
Spanish civilization and contemporary society are examined through themes such as
the relationships between professional, labor and cultural sectors, the aging of the
population, gypsies, bullfighting, holidays, gastronomy and Flamenco. Audio-visuals,
newspapers, magazines and texts are used. Basic elements of Hispano-American
culture are addressed to provide an understanding of its complexity. Topics include:
the American geographic environment, racial distribution and historical evolution,
demographics and problems of growth, family structure and daily life, social groups and
their behavior, political tendencies, current ideologies, dependence, underdevelopment,
external debt, art and folklore.
1.5-Credit Subject Courses
Art 301 (1.5) | History of Art in Spain
Follows the development of Spanish art from its Arabic origins to the present including
Islamic, Visigothic, Mozarabic, Romanesque, Mudejar, Gothic, and the Renaissance and
Baroque periods. Emphasis is placed on the Spanish masters: Velázquez, Goya, Picasso
and Dalí.
Geography 301 (1.5) | Geography of Spain
Topics include Spain’s climate and vegetation, the development of towns, and the
current distribution of population, agriculture and industry, internal communications,
foreign trade, tourism and the evolution of the Spanish economy.
History 301 (1.5) | History of Spain
After a brief introduction to Spain’s history, this course covers aspects of contemporary
history of Spain. It reviews the political, social and economic problems from 1900 to
1975: Alfonso XII, the Civil War, and the Franco regime. This course also covers the post-
Franco transition to Democracy including the Constitution of 1978.
Law 301 (1.5) only offered in Session 2 | Legal System in Spain and the European Union
This course addresses the essential institutions of the Spanish and European legal
system as a starting point to deepen the study of law.
Law 302 (1.5) only offered in Session 2 | Spanish Business Law
This course introduces Spanish business law to those interested in developing their
economic activity in Spain, dealing with topics such as European law and the single
market, competition and management, company tax law and banking law, among
others.
Literature 301 (1.5) | Spanish Literature
Traces the major movements and principal authors of Spanish literature. Movements
and periods studied include: Medieval romances, the Siglo de Oro, Romanticism, 20th
century. Genres such as drama, poetry and novels are studied. Authors and works
such as La Celestina, El Lazarillo de Tormes, Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote, Lope de
Vega, and García Lorca are studied.
Literature 302 (1.5) | Latin American Literature
This course pursues literary trends of Latin American countries throughout the 20th
century. Authors and portions of works such as Azuelo’s “Los de abajo”, Pablo Neruda,
Jorge Luis Borge’s “Ficciones”, Isabel Allende and Laura Esquivel are studied.
Spanish 315 (1.5) | The Diversity of Spanish in the World
Designed for students who already have a sufficient fluency in the Spanish language
and who wish to become more expressive in the “everyday” language. Special
attention is paid to vocabulary, the semantic differences of words in Spain and in Latin
America, gestures, phrases, slang and sign language. Themes are practiced through
oral discussion, written essays, and audio tapes transcribed by the students.
Spanish 317/417 (1.5) | An Introduction to Business Spanish
Offers a realistic and lively approach to situations students might encounter
in careers, especially if interested in improving their knowledge of the Spanish
business world from a cross-cultural perspective. Students develop oral and written
communication skills and pursue topics with materials used in business.
Religion/Sociology 308 (1.5) | Islamic Culture in Spain
Discusses the importance and the effect of Islamic rule on Spain’s history, tradition,
language, and culture. Topics include: the concept of Islam, the message of the Koran,
Andalucía under Islamic rule, North African dynasties in Andalucía, the Nazari dynasty
of Granada, cultural, literary, and artistic aspects of Islam, and Islamic architecture and
symbols as exemplified by the Alhambra.
Sociology 306/406 (1.5) | Spanish Civilization and Culture
Spanish civilization and contemporary society are examined through themes such as
the relationships between professional, labor and cultural sectors, the aging of the
population, gypsies, bullfighting, holidays, gastronomy and Flamenco. Audio-visuals,
newspapers, magazines and texts are used.
Sociology 309 (1.5) | Latin American Civilization and Culture
Basic elements of Hispano-American culture are addressed to provide an
understanding of its complexity. Topics include: the American geographic
environment, racial distribution and historical evolution, demographics and problems
of growth, family structure and daily life, social groups and their behavior, political
tendencies, current ideologies, dependence, underdevelopment, external debt, art and
folklore.
Business Internship Program
This course is only available to students with an Upper Advanced level of Spanish and taking Sessions 2 and 4 Combined. Students combine the internship course with courses from the Spanish Language and Culture program for up to 12 credits. Students complete an internship application in addition to the program application. We advise you to gain prior approval for several course options in order to ensure you will receive credit in the event that you do not place into Upper Advanced Spanish or higher.
Spanish Internship Course (3)
Most internships are based in hotels in Granada. The Internship Program enables
students to:
- apply academic training to practical situations in business and other organizations
- work alongside professionals and managers to observe different work-styles
and techniques - relate work experience to classroom situations
- enrich their employment opportunities and establish a work record for their CV (résumé)
- acquire skills and strengths essential to the development of personal confidence
- gain contacts and insight into a career area
Internship opportunities are available in the area of tourism, mainly in local hotels.
The ideal internship placement is a coordination between the skills and personality that an organization is seeking and those which a student presents. Placements are made with both small and large organizations, and selection is based on a number of criteria.
Students must attend interviews with suitable organizations as part of the internship selection process. Final selection is always at the discretion of the organization and the University of Granada Internship Coordinator.
