Department of World Languages
Courses in Spanish are designed for students whose interests and career plans have an international or multi-ethnic focus. Students who major or minor in a language will develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing fluency and will study the culture, history and literature of the people who use the language.
Students with interest in business, international relations, careers in the health professions, nursing, education, global studies, ethnic studies, social work, or criminal justice -among other disciplines- are strongly encouraged to take Spanish courses, as the demand in the global marketplace for individuals who are can demonstrate cultural awareness and communicate in more than one language increases daily.
Spanish Proficiency Test:
The Spanish proficiency test allows students to earn WSU credit for Spanish language classes FOR FREE. It also determines at what level students should begin taking Spanish classes at WSU.
Students must select the level that best corresponds with their knowledge and pass the test at that level. If they pass the test, then they earn credit for that level and all previous levels. There are four tests available, one for each course of the language sequence: 101, 102, 210, and 211.
Please visit the website https://www.worcester.edu/world-languages/spanish-proficiency-test/ for more information. You can email any questions or to reserve a time for testing to spanishtest@worcester.edu.
Institutional Credit for Spanish Proficiency Tests
Students who pass the department’s Spanish proficiency tests will receive credit to be applied as follows:
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If a student passes the SP-101 proficiency test, they will receive credit for SP-101.
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If a student passes the SP-102 proficiency test, they will receive credit for SP-101 and SP-102.
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If a student passes the SP-210 proficiency test, they will receive credit for SP-101, SP-102, and SP-210.
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If a student passes the SP-211 proficiency test, they will receive credit for SP-101, SP-102, SP-210 and SP-211.
Native or Heritage Speakers of Spanish should enroll in 300-level courses
Students who have earned AP credit in Spanish should enroll in 300-level courses.
Students who have earned a Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish will receive WSU credit for SP-101, SP-102, SP-210, and SP-211, and should enroll in 300-level courses.
Study-Abroad opportunities are available for language study in several Spanish-speaking countries.
Alpha Mu Gamma, a national honor society in foreign languages, recognizes excellence in the study of foreign languages. Any Worcester State University student who receives two “A’s” in Spanish, or two “A’s” in French, at any level and who has a 3.0 cumulative GPA is eligible to join. Application for membership is in early February. Contact Dr. Naida Saavedra: nsaavedra@worcester.edu
Spanish Clinic
The Spanish Clinic is a free tutoring service where Spanish students of any level can practice their language skills. Advanced Spanish majors work as tutors to help their peers with grammar reviews, homework, conversational practice, feedback on class presentations, etc.
The Spanish Clinic is located in Sullivan 302-B. Open daily, from early morning to mid-afternoon, during regular semesters. No appointment needed.
For more information, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Osborne: eosborne1@worcester.edu
Spanish Faculty
Antonio Guijarro-Donadiós, Department Chair, Professor (2014), B.A., Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; M.A., Salford University, England; M.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Elizabeth Osborne, Associate Professor (2016), B.A., The George Washington University; M.A., Universidad de Chile; Ph.D., Stony Brook University
Ana Pérez-Manrique, Professor (2006), B.A., Universidad de Malaga, Spain; M.A., University of South Carolina; Ph.D., Florida State University
Naida Saavedra, Associate Professor (2016), B.A., Universidad de Zulia, Venezuela; M.A., Ph.D., Florida State University
Spanish Courses
SP-101 Beginning Spanish I
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Basic oral and written proficiency for daily communication; may be taken as a self-contained unit or as a basis for further development. Audio-visual method. Closed to students who have already taken a 300-level* Closed to Native/Heritage speakers. Native and/or Heritage speakers are encouraged to take SP390 instead. * Unless recommended to a specific student by the Department of World Languages, on a per-case basis.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-102 Beginning Spanish II
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Continuation of SP101. This course is intended for students with at least one year of past Spanish instruction in high school, or one semester in college at the beginning level. Closed to students who have already taken a 300-level Spanish course*. Native and/or Heritage speakers are encouraged to take SP390 instead*. * Unless recommended to a specific student by the Department of World Languages, on a per-case basis.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-191 Special Topics in Spanish
LASC Categories: TLC, DAC, GP
An introductory level course in Spanish on current or specialized topics.
Every year. 3 Credits
SP-193 First Year Seminar Spanish
LASC Categories: FYS
Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first year students. Offered only as a First Year Seminar.
Every year. 3 Credits
SP-210 Intermediate Spanish I
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
This course is a review of language constructions and everyday vocabulary at a slighter faster pace than an elementary course. Grammar review starts with the most basic structures, such as present, preterite, and imperfect tenses, ser/estar, por/para, command forms, pronouns, and ends with present subjunctive. Vocabulary fields include feelings and emotions; urban living; family relationships; the media; and the environment. Readings, videos, and short films related to different Spanish speaking countries will add a cultural component to the course. This course is intended for students with 2 years of past Spanish instruction. Closed to students who have already taken a 300-level* Closed to Native/Heritage speakers. Native and/or Heritage speakers are encouraged to take SP390 instead. * Unless recommended to a specific student by the Department of World Languages, on a per-case basis.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-211 Intermediate Spanish II
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Prerequisites: SP-210 or appropriate placement score.
Continuation of SP210. [Formerly SP213.] Closed to students who have already taken a 300-level* Closed to Native/Heritage speakers. Native and/or Heritage speakers are encouraged to take SP390 instead. * Unless recommended to a specific student by the Department of World Languages, on a per-case basis.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-290 Introduction to Medical Spanish
LASC Categories: ICW, TLC
Prerequisites: SP-210 or above, or instructor permission.
This course focuses on language used in health professions as well as cultural situations, which doctors, technicians, nurses, and EMTs may experience. Familiarizing students with medical Spanish will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations. Students will gain beginning-level competence in topics such as pediatrics and vaccinations, physical exam and checkups, and hospital visits and emergencies, surgeries, or medication types and methods of administration. The course focuses on developing oral communication skills while acquiring medical terminology, and will also review grammatical structures needed to provide instructions, or inquire about past experiences or medical history.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-291 Foundations of Medical Spanish
LASC Categories: ICW, TLC
Prerequisites: SP 210 or above, or instructor permission.
Students will acquire Spanish terminology related to various aspects of healthcare in order to assist in communications and break down the barrier between healthcare professionals and patients. This course focuses on more formal language used in the healthcare workplace with Spanish speakers while taking into consideration cultural specificities and nuances, which providers may experience. The course is designed for students to develop interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational modes of communication in Spanish at the low-intermediate level. Topics may include physical therapy, telemedicine, mental health, dental health, cultural ailments, and home remedies.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-292 Spanish for Women's Health
LASC Categories: GP, ICW, DAC
Prerequisites: SP-210 or above, or instructor permission.
In this course, students will develop communication skills in Spanish using information and vocabulary related to women's health. The content of this course focuses on language used in health professions as well as cultural situations. By familiarizing students with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish, this course will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations, to assist in communications, and ultimately to break down the barrier between professionals and Spanish-speakers. Finally, the course's focus on cultural competency interrogates intersections between women's health and topics including but not limited to politics, economics, gender, sexuality, race and age.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-293 Health and the Latino Community
LASC Categories: HBS, TLC
Prerequisites: SP-211 or above or have 3 years of language instruction.
Students will explore the ways in which language and culture shape the approach to health and healthcare experiences of Latinos in the US, and the factors that contribute to health disparities among this group (social, cultural, economic, environmental, and biological). Students will examine how health outcomes and risk factors are arrayed across different generations. Language barriers and sociolinguistic issues will also be studied. Students will identify and discuss causes of health inequities, survey major Latino health issues, and analyze the current and future context of Latino health and healthcare in the U.S.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-294 Spanish for the Nutrition and Dietitian Professional
LASC Categories: GP, ICW
Prerequisites: SP-210 or above, or instructor permission.
Students will develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Spanish using information and vocabulary related to health, nutrition and dietetics. The content of this course focuses on language used in medical professions as well as cultural situations, which doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, nurses, public health workers, social workers, and other health professionals may experience. By familiarizing students with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish, this course will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations, to assist in communications, and ultimately to break down the barrier between professionals and Spanish-speakers.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-295 The Human Body: Spanish for Anatomy
LASC Categories: ICW, TLC
This course focuses on the study of the Spanish terminology and basic grammatical structures needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and/or their families in a medical/health setting. It introduces the student to a wide array of vocabulary particular to the human body, body systems, organs, and their functioning, as well as some common diseases (and their symptoms) that affect each system. Class time will be devoted to practicing new vocabulary, via role-play, conversations with classmates, readings, and written activities. Conducted in Spanish.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-296 Spanish for Gerontology and Care of the Elderly
LASC Categories: GP, ICW
Prerequisites: SP-210 or above, or instructor permission.
Students will develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in Spanish using information and vocabulary related to psychological, environmental, family, social, and economic aspects that affect health and illness in old age. The content of this course focuses on language used in medical professions as well as cultural situations, which doctors, geriatric medicine specialists, nurses, public health workers, social workers, and other health professionals may experience. By familiarizing students with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish, this course will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations.
Fall and Spring and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-315 Health and the Latino Community
LASC Categories: HBS, TLC
Prerequisites: SP-211 or above or have 3 years of Spanish language instruction. Take one course from SP-290 through SP-295.
Students will explore the ways in which language and culture shape the approach to health and healthcare experiences of Latinos in the US, and the factors that contribute to health disparities among this group (social, cultural, economic, environmental, and biological). Students will examine how health outcomes and risk factors are arrayed across different generations. Language barriers and sociolinguistic issues will also be studied. Students will identify and discuss causes of health inequities, survey major Latino health issues, and analyze the current and future context of Latino health and healthcare in the U.S.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-321 Advanced Spanish Composition I
LASC Categories: TLC, WAC
Prerequisites: SP-211 or appropriate placement score.
Facility in prose writing; study of style of selected authors; variety of expression through word discrimination, and advanced grammatical structures. [Prerequisites: Two SP 200 level courses.]
Every year. 3 Credits
SP-322 Advanced Spanish Composition II
LASC Categories: TLC, WAC
Prerequisites: SP-321
Continuation of SP321.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-323 Advanced Spanish Conversation Through Film
LASC Categories: TLC, USW
Prerequisites: Two 200-level or above Spanish courses.
The main objective of this course is to develop the student's oral proficiency and communication skills, while building on vocabulary, and learning about different aspects of the Hispanic cultural world with a special emphasis on immigration issues. Regarding the class format, it will be mainly based on group/pair discussions and debates, in which the students will ask questions, express their views, elaborate on their ideas, and defend them by providing supporting examples drawn from their own experiences, analysis, or comparisons.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-325 Creative Writing in Spanish
LASC Categories: CA
Prerequisites: SP-321 or SP-390.
This course explores fundamental concepts and techniques for writing narrative and poetry in Spanish, first building an understanding of the craft that focuses on generating original pieces. Students analyze a variety of published works by Latin American and Latinx authors, and study methods to develop the elements of fiction (point of view, characterization, plot, setting, and dialogue) and those of poetry (theme, tone, stanzas and lines, metaphors, syntax, rhythm, and rhyme). The course provides a collaborative environment in which all dialects of Spanish and Spanglish are welcome.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-326 Spanish for the Professions
LASC Categories: GP, TLC
Prerequisites: SP-321.
Intensive practice with language and documents used in private and public sectors including business, medicine, communication, education and social services.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-327 Introduction to Translation
Prerequisites: SP-321.
SP-327 will prepare you for careers in translation and will satisfy professional and academic requirements. It seeks to introduce the student to the techniques required for translation in a competitive environment. Within the context of the development of greater cross-cultural awareness, it will develop the following language skills for business purposes: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, and translation.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-331 Spanish Civilization
LASC Categories: CA
Prerequisites: SP-321
An historical survey of Spanish social, cultural, and political life. Conducted in Spanish.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-332 Cultures of Latin America
LASC Categories: DAC, GP
Prerequisites: SP-321.
Introduction to the cultures and history of Latin America from pre-Columbian times to the present day. This course will introduce students to colonial, modern and contemporary cultural, historical and political issues that influenced the development of Latin American identities. The course is taught in Spanish.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-333 Hispanic Presence in US
LASC Categories: GP, USW, DAC
Prerequisites: SP-321
Socio-cultural study of Hispanics in the United States, with a focus on major contemporary issues. Conducted un Spanish. [Prerequisites: Two SP 200 level courses.]
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
SP-341 Readings in Spanish Literature
Prerequisites: SP-321, and SP-323 or SP-324
Selected masterpieces from Middle Ages to present; social, cultural, and stylistic features of different periods. Recommended as a first course in Spanish literature.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-346 Latin American Theater
Prerequisites: SP-321 or SP-390.
This course explores the historical and aesthetic development of Latin American Theater, focusing upon the particular factors that distinguish this theater from the Western European tradition. We will analyze dramatic texts (from Argentina, Uruguay, Perú, México, Puerto Rico, Chile, Cuba, and Colombia), performances, and critical and theoretical perspectives to engage in the following questions: How does theater create and represent social and political transformation? How might we reevaluate civic responsibility and accountability through the study of audience? And, finally what are the major innovations in Latin American theater and performance in the 20th & 21st Centuries?
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-347 Latin American Colonial Literature
Prerequisites: SP-321 or SP-390.
This course will examine the colonial history of the American continent as interpreted through the various historical accounts written by eyewitnesses of the conquest. We will cover two centuries of writings from the late fifteenth to the seventeenth century. We will examine many historical accounts of the conquest, letters, documents, poetry and other historical artifacts to learn of the social, political, religious and economical significance of the colonial era. It combines an overview of the political economy of the region over three centuries with a study of how social groups interacted among themselves and with imperial rule over time.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-348 Contemporary Spanish Literature
Prerequisites: SP-321
Literary works from the generation of 1898 to the present.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-349 Spanish-American Literature
Prerequisites: SP-321
Representative works from South and Central American authors from the colonial period to the present.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-350 Advanced Spanish Grammar
LASC Categories: TLC
Prerequisites: SP-321 or SP-390
This applied linguistics advanced class provides a background of Spanish grammar, and delves into topics of the Spanish language that are usually challenging for English-speaking learners of Spanish. The goals are to clarify important aspects of the Spanish language and related cultural features, including uses of technology and assessment.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-352 Lexicography and Terminology: Computer -Assisted Translation (cat)
Prerequisites: SP-321.
This groundbreaking course provides both a practical and a theoretical framework to the study of lexicography and collection of terminology, an essential adjunct to the work of the translator. The role of international standards is pointed out, and principles of construction of terminological banks elaborated. Terminographic procedures in the context of computation technology and terminology management systems are discussed such as the use of the most Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-355 Effective Teaching of a Foreign Language
Examines and evaluates effective teaching techniques and strategies as well as second-language acquisition theory for middle/secondary foreign language classrooms. The course is conducted in English for anyone interested in foreign language teaching. All students should have an advanced proficiency of a foreign language, meaning they have taken at least one 300-level course or its equivalent.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-360 Spanish for Reproductive Health
LASC Categories: DIV, ICW
Prerequisites: one course from SP-290 through SP-295.
This course covers a range of topics related to reproductive health in Spanish, including menstruation, pregnancy, fertility, childbirth, postpartum, and menopause. Students will acquire communication skills and vocabulary in Spanish for use in the health field, with a focus on reproduction. They will also apply this language to a range of cultural situations involving Spanish-speaking patients.
Fall and Spring and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-390 Spanish for Native Speakers
LASC Categories: TLC, DAC
This course is designed for native or heritage speakers of Spanish, who have oral proficiency but may not have received formal training in the language. These students were raised speaking Spanish at home. Therefore, this course is designed to work with the language base students already possess. All of four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are emphasized, however, the purpose of the course is to develop reading and writing skills through cultural-related activities.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
SP-395 The Human Body: Spanish for Anatomy
LASC Categories: ICW, TLC
Prerequisites: SP-211.
This course focuses on the study of the Spanish terminology and basic grammatical structures needed to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and/or their families in a medical/health setting. It introduces the student to a wide array of vocabulary particular to the human body, body systems, organs, and their functioning, as well as some common diseases (and their symptoms) that affect each system. Class time will be devoted to practicing new vocabulary, via role-play, conversations with classmates, readings, and written activities. Conducted in Spanish.
Other or on demand and every year. 3 Credits
SP-401 Advanced Study: Special Topics
Special topics in language, literature, civilization or field work of mutual interest to student and instructor. For advanced students.
Other or on demand. 3 Credits
SP-402 Independent Study: Spanish
Study of a special topic. Both content and eligibility are subject to departmental guidelines and approval.
Other or on demand. 1-6 Credits
SP-403 Teachng Assistantship in Spanish
Teaching Assistants in Spanish will regularly attend the beginning or intermediate-level Language classes to which they are assigned to assist the professor.
Other or on demand. 3 Credits
SP-408 Directed Study: Spanish
Directed study offers students, who because of unusual circumstances may be unable to register for a course when offered, the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction and with agreement from a faculty member.
Other or on demand. 3 Credits
SP-453 Medical Translation
Prerequisites: SP-321 and SP-327.
This course focuses on building ENG/SPAN, SPAN/ENG translation competence in a health care setting, and provides guided practice in the translation of actual documents within the bio-medical and medical-legal fields. The course covers linguistic concepts, translation techniques, cultural & linguistic issues, professional ethics, medical genres & terminology, resources, and translation exercises. Through weekly translations, reading assignments, and text-analysis activities students will familiarize themselves with health text subgenres, such as patient education pamphlets, lab results, health certificates, prescriptions, informed consents, or health proxies. Students will learn to detect frequent translation challenges in health texts, and develop problem-solving strategies for these issues.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-454 Legal Translation: Eng/Span-Span/Eng
Prerequisites: SP-321 and SP-327.
This course is designed to provide a general overview of translation practices, techniques and specialized terminology in the discipline of legal translation. The main objective of this class is to teach students how to switch safely and accurately between the source and the target language (Spanish/English - English/Spanish). This class will include an intensive study of vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, and translation difficulties in specialized legal texts. This class will be conducted in Spanish as the base language for lectures. However, given the nature of the course of study, we will fluctuate between Spanish and English, depending on the object.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
Note: Courses in other foreign languages such as German, Chinese, French and Arabic, are offered when demand warrants and staffing permits.
Spanish Program Learning Outcomes
Linguistic and Content-based Knowledge
Listening: Students should be able to understand spoken language, even when delivered at native-level speed, and to summarize and paraphrase the main ideas of extended speech.
Reading: Students should be able to understand complex and/or extended works on general topics in Spanish, and low-difficulty texts that are discipline specific.
Speaking: Students should be able to express themselves clearly, accurately and effectively in a variety of communicative contexts and situations. They will be able to sustain an advanced level of spoken interaction with native speakers in academic, professional and informal settings.
Writing: Students should be able to write clearly, precisely, and cohesively using the disciplinary conventions, and use field-specific terminology. Students should be able to write expository, analytical or argumentative texts with a good range of vocabulary and syntax, and with attention to register.
Literary Texts and Movements: Students should be able to identify major literary, artistic, and cultural figures of the Spanish-speaking world and their main works. Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of different approaches, principles, and schools of literary analysis (e.g. stylistic, historical, intertextual analyses); distinguish the principal characteristics of major trends, periods, and movements in the Hispanic literary traditions; recognize the limitations of such categorization, and consider that conventions and canons may be questioned.
Socio-Cultural, Historical Concepts: Students should be able to situate literary works in the context of their historical, cultural, and aesthetic traditions; to demonstrate knowledge of significant historical events that have impacted Spanish/ Spanish American literature and culture across the centuries and to consider relationships between culture, society, history, politics, religion, and economics in the production of texts.
Intercultural Competence
Students should be able to demonstrate an awareness of the linguistic, ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, and social diversity of Latin America, Spain, and the U.S., and to work professionally with these different groups.
Global Citizenship
Students should be able to recognize and respect difference, and to engage the perspective of others to better understand and critically reflect on their own world view. Student should have developed a critical understanding of the U.S. and abroad experience. Students should be able to discuss contemporary ethical issues related to Latin America and Spain and to act with informed awareness of contemporary issues in their historical contexts.
Independent Learning
Students should be able to discover meanings and solutions for themselves through active participation in their own learning process. They should be able to adapt the knowledge and skills they have learned to new experiences and learning opportunities, to integrate multiple ways of knowing into their daily lives, and to develop attitudes that will form the foundation for a life-long interest and continued engagement with Iberian and Latin American cultures.
Critical Thinking
Students should be able to apply analytical skills to the interpretation of a wide spectrum of cultural phenomena including art, film and popular media. Students should be able to decipher implicit meanings beyond the surface level of the text through multiple modes of inquiry; to discern between well-argued and poorly articulated points of view and to use this critical perspective to formulate their own arguments. Students should be prepared to recognize stated and unstated assumptions and to judge the validity of inferences, and to assess the claims of competing interpretations of a literary text.
Information Literacy
Students will be able to support their judgments with textual evidence, bibliographical research and relevant secondary sources. They will be prepared to appraise the merits of ideas and materials from a variety of bibliographic sources, to differentiate between popular and scholarly material, to understand the principles of thorough and scrupulous documentation of secondary sources in order to avoid plagiarism, and to apply the standard citation format of literary studies (MLA).