Spanish

This course explores advanced syntax and broader lexis which improves the student's receptive and productive skills. Emphasis is on handling authentic materials, including texts of many kinds and audio-visual resources in all media. The processes of language learning (the consolidation and extension of grammar, the building of vocabulary and the application of knowledge in practical skill-based tasks) is therefore continuously embedded in authentic modern and contemporary contexts.

This course covers a panorama of the genres and the works of the Spanish and Hispanic-American literature of the main literary movements, linking between culture, history, and literature The course is divided into two parts. Part 1 covers literature from Spain's Middle age to Golden Age. Part 2 covers an historical panorama of Latin-American literature, notably in Mexico and Central America. Students read a selection of poems, dialogues, plays, and extracts that reflect these eras. The course is taught in Spanish and French.

This course examines the literary trends, theory and criticism that developed at different points in history. It takes into account the historical context of literary theory and criticism, the historical antecedents of the development of theory and criticism of the 20th century, the establishment of diverse theories and aesthetics, and the way in which these literary theories are framed within their respective historical time periods and literary genres.

This course is a linguistic introduction into three aspects of the structure of Spanish: the sound structure (phonology), the internal structure of words (morphology), and the internal structure of sentences (syntax) in relation to its meaning (semantics). These three aspects are studied in the light of modern linguistic theory. Students get insight in how universal aspects of human language surface in Spanish, and how Spanish linguistic structure differs from the structure of other languages. After completing the course, students have: knowledge and analytical skills concerning the phonological, morphological and syntactic characteristics of Spanish; knowledge and analytical skills in order to carry out an internet search targeting certain morphological or syntactic phenomena in Spanish; academic skills to write a short research report; academic skills to include references in accordance with the guidelines of the APA, by making use of RefWorks; initial insight in the Spanish language needed for any professional use of Spanish, including teaching and translation.

This course presents an analysis of Spanish cinema from its inception in the late nineteenth century to contemporary film. It examines legal frameworks, industrial sectors, creative proposals, notable films, publicity, and spectatorship during the following eras: the birth of Spanish cinema (1896-1929); transition into spoken film and film during the Spanish Civil War (1930-1939); film during the Franco regime (1940-1975); film during the democratic transition and cinema-television relationships (1975-1981); the socialist era (1982-1995); film during Spain's Partido Popular government (1996-2001); and contemporary Spanish cinema (2002-present).

This course discusses the computational tools available for the study of Spanish. It examines the methodological guidelines used in the design and development of these tools and the keys for incorporating computational resources into teaching and learning Spanish as a native and a foreign language.

This course explores the cultural dynamics of medieval Iberia and the various societies present in the Iberian Peninsula. This course covers important works of the period from Poema de Mio Cid to La Celestina. It discusses texts from Arab, Jewish, Catalan, and Galician-Portuguese sources in English translation. Castilian sources are available in Spanish and English. Class discussions are conducted in Spanish.

This intensive language course prepares students for regular university courses by emphasizing communication and participation in an academic setting in Spain. It focuses on grammar, conversation and composition; Spanish culture, and basic Catalan. The course includes organized visits to cultural areas in Barcelona (La Pedrera, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Cathedral of Barcelona, and the Jewish Quarter). Assessment: Class participation, weekly assignments, final exam.

 

This course provides a critical analysis of Spanish Renaissance texts, in particular, poetry and prose of the period. Topics covered include: humanism; gender dialogic (Alfonso de Valdes); novel narration in the sixteenth century; poetic trends; Italianate poetry; literary creation and divine love; Cervantes.