Courses

LAIS 121 Intensive Elementary Spanish

For students with no prior experience studying the Spanish language. Stresses development of skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a fast-paced environment which includes an introduction to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice sessions.

Unit(s): 2

LAIS 151 Accelerated Elementary Spanish

Advanced beginner's course is designed for students who need a review of elementary Spanish before continuing on to Spanish 221. The course will concentrate on the fundamentals of the Spanish grammar system as applied to the skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice session.

Prerequisite(s): At least two years of high school Spanish.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 221 Intensive Intermediate Spanish

Stresses further development of language production and reception skills through expanded creative activities including class discussions, written compositions and in-class presentations. The cultural component includes readings, films and web-based authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world. Taught in Spanish, with two additional weekly practice sessions.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 121 or 151 or permission of department.

General Education Requirement: (COM2)

Unit(s): 2

LAIS 301 Spanish in the Community

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study of the Latin American immigrant experience. In addition to the classroom study of Hispanic immigrant literature, newspapers and films, students will participate in an outreach project in the local Hispanic community. Note: The service-learning component may also be undertaken independently. Contact the department for more information.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 302 Spanish through Literature

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through literary texts of the Hispanic world. Students will read poems, short stories, plays, and short novels and interpret them through class discussions and regular writing assignments. This is not an FSLT course.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 303 Spanish in the Media

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through a focus on mass media in Spanish and Latin American culture. Spanish will be taught through direct contact with newspapers, journals, TV programming, and films. Students are expected to participate actively in class debates and presentations, complete written assignments on a regular basis, and view all programs and films assigned by the instructor.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 304 Spanish at Play

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study and performance of contemporary plays from Latin America. Special attention will be given to the discussion of the social, cultural, historical and political aspects of the texts studied, as well as their genre-specific characteristics.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 305 Spanish in Politics and Society

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills through the study and discussion of current events and issues in the Spanish-speaking world.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 306 Spanish in Business

Development of aural, oral, and written communication skills relative to commercial documents and transactions commonly used in the Hispanic world. Practice in writing based on materials needed for conducting business in Spanish.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 221.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 311 Perspectives on Peoples and Cultures of Spain

Study of society, arts, history and ideas of Spain.

Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 312 Perspectives on Cultures and Nations of Latin America

Study of society, arts, history, and ideas of Latin America.

Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 321 Literary Spain: Poetry, Drama, Fiction

Introduction to literary analysis within the cultural context of Spain. Critical tools for approaching specific literary genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Readings are selected for their literary, cultural, and historical significance.

Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.

General Education Requirement: (FSLT)

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 331-332 Introduction to Spanish-American Literature, I-II

Introduction to Spanish-American literature and critical literary analysis. Focus on primary texts dating from the 15th through 19th centuries (331); 20th century (332).

Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.

General Education Requirement: (FSLT)

Unit(s): 1-1

LAIS 385 Spanish Writing Workshop

Analysis of grammatical structure of Spanish. Writing practice.

Prerequisite(s): Two of Latin American and Iberian Studies 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 or 306.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 388 Individual Internship

Not to be counted as credit toward the major or minor. No more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.

Prerequisite(s): Admission by audition/permission of department.

Unit(s): .25-1

SPAN 389 Practice Assistantship

Students lead practice sessions associated with the elementary and intermediate language sequences in Spanish. The practice assistantship does not count as course credit toward the major or minor.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.

Unit(s): .25

LAIS 390 Portuguese for Spanish Speakers

Accelerated introduction to Brazilian Portuguese language and culture for students already proficient in Spanish. Focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the study of grammar and selected readings.

Prerequisite(s): One Latin American and Iberian Studies course at the 400 level.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 391 Contemporary Luso-Brazilian Readings

Introduction to the literary and cultural productions of the seven Portuguese-speaking countries through the analysis of selected texts. A writing component is designed to strengthen and develop students' Portuguese skills. Conducted in Portuguese.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 390.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 397 Selected Topics

Special interest topics offered at department's discretion.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 421 Arabs, Jews and Christians from Frontier to Empire: Medieval Spanish Literature

Analysis of the interaction between Christians, Jews, and Muslims in the Spanish Peninsula from the establishment of Al-Andalus to the consolidation of the Spanish Empire. An analysis of this cultural period in light of the attention given (or not given) to it in contemporary historiography, either as an exemplary moment of religious tolerance or "convivencia," or as early proof of what is now called "the clash of civilizations" or "clash of cultures."

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 431 Imperial Spain: The Age of Conflict

Study of literary responses to the new constitution of Spain as Empire and new definitions of Spanish identity.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 432 True Lies: Fiction and Truth in Don Quijote

Study of Cervantes' successful formula for the novel. Analyzes conflict between fiction and truth as basis for new realist novel proposed by Cervantes.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 451 Literature of Exile

Study of Spanish exile literature and multiple constructions of the exilic imagination in relation to Spanish cultural and political history.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 452 Spanish-American Poetic Texts

Study of the communicative power of poetic language with special emphasis given to identification of basic tools for interpreting poetic texts in relation to individual and general contexts

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 455 Barcelona: Text and City

The cultural, intellectual, and urban history of the city of Barcelona from the mid 19th century to the present, with special attention to how the city is portrayed in literature and other works of art.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 462 Visions of Contemporary Spain

Study of the cultures of contemporary Spain since the transition to democracy with special attention given to literature, film, theatre, art, popular culture, and mass media.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 463 Modern Spanish Narrative

Study of representative narrative texts from the 19th to the 21st century. Emphasis on the technical and thematic innovations of the novel and short story as well as the social and historical contexts that have shaped literary production.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 464 Modern Theatre in Spain

Study of written dramatic texts and performance traditions from Spain. Selections may include works from the 18th century to the present.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 465 Spanish Cinema

Study of significant Spanish films with special attention to their relationship to politics, culture, society, and history.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 471 Latin American Cinema

Study of prominent examples of Latin American film production with special attention paid to aesthetic aspects of cinematographic language and cultural questions embodied in the films examined.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 472 Contemporary Spanish-American Theater

Study of leading contemporary theatrical movements in Spanish America with focus on universal aspects of language of theater and uniqueness of Spanish-American themes and trends.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 474 Contemporary Writing in Latin America: Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n Roll

An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the literary movements currently taking place in Latin America. Special attention devoted to the literature published during the last decade of the 20th century as a defining period in which new trends become consolidated. Covers the entire region, focusing on works published in the Southern Cone, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, and Cuba.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 475 Women and Writing in Latin America

Question of representation and self-representation of women in selected Spanish-American texts. Attention given to recently developed theories relevant to women's writing and concerns.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 477 Literature of the Spanish-Speaking Caribbean

Study of texts representative of multiple ethnic and cultural influences (indigenous, European and African) at play in the Caribbean basin.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 484 The Latin American Essay

Examines the cultural history of Latin America and the construction of its intellectual traditions through the study of the essay. Special attention given to the definition of the genre within Spanish-American literature and its role in public debates from colonial to contemporary Latin America.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 485 Spanish-American Narrative

Study of representative Spanish-American novels and/or short stories from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Attention given to technical aspects of literary narrative as well as cultural contexts.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 486 U.S. Latino/a Literature

Comprehensive study of Hispanic Americans' struggle for identity in light of their historical, ethnic, economic, and cultural positions in the United States.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 487 Latin America: Encounter and Conflict

Thematic study of representative Spanish-American texts, focusing on the search for identity and confrontation occurring between different societies, systems of thought, and cultures.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1

LAIS 495 Independent Study

Special research projects individually pursued under supervision of faculty member. Project proposal must be fully developed in conjunction with a faculty member prior to presentation for department approval.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of department.

Unit(s): .25-1

LAIS 496 Senior Symposium

Presentation at the Latin American and Iberian Studies Spring Symposium of research project carried out within the context of an LAIS seminar. Offered in spring semester only.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.

Unit(s): .5

LAIS 497 Selected Topics

Special interest topics offered at department's discretion.

Prerequisite(s): Latin American and Iberian Studies 321, 331, or 332.

Unit(s): 1