Pedagogy

The following policies & expectations are authoritatively stated in each course syllabus, but provided here for quick reference.more ›

In theory, a computer keyboard could have every character and symbol used by anyone anywhere in the world, but such a keyboard would be far too massive to use! At its core, a computer doesn’t care what keys are available on an attached keyboard, but rather only what key was pressed and the computer knows what key was pressed because the keyboard transmits a code that the computer then correlates to a specific letter or symbol. As a consequence of this setup, a user can send a given code directly to the computer even if it is not on the keyboard.more ›

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These files are intended as a repository for course-related documents. For syllabi, please ensure that the course and term are correct before relying on applicability. more ›

SPAN 1001  Bg Spa Lng/Intr Hispnc Cult I

Emphasis on the development of proficiency and communicative competence at the novice level in the four basic skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Pro- ficiency Guidelines. Awareness of various sociocultural aspects and the distinctiveness of certain cultural tradi- tions. SPAN 1001 is not open for credit to students with two or more years of high school Spanish or the equivalent.

SPAN 1002  Bg Spa Lng/Intr Hispnc Cult II

Prerequisite: SPAN 1001 or equivalent. A continuation of SPAN 1001, with emphasis on proficiency and communicative competence at the novice level in the four basic skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines. Awareness of various sociocultural aspects and the distinctiveness of certain cultural traditions.

SPAN 3014  Language, Culture, and Advanced Conversation

Prerequisite: SPAN 3012 or consent of the instructor. Advanced practice in both formal and informal discourse for communication in professional settings such as social services, law enforcement, business, and health care. Conversational practice will focus upon discussing and debating how the historic and contemporary cultural realities of the Spanish-speaking world affect language and oral communication.

Spanish is an official language of twenty-one sovereign states and the United Nations, European Union, Organization of American States, and Mercosur. Of course, it goes without saying that it is an increasing demographic within the United States. Each of the flags below links to an official web site. At the bottom of the page there are links to Department of State, Library of Congress, and CIA information on demographics, geography, history, government, economy, diplomacy, and travel.more ›

In the interest of establishing work-life-school balance, students should earnestly consider using the University’s Exchange calendaring system, which works on Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and other devices. The corresponding Exchange calendars will be shared to students at the start of each semester and will automatically propagate to connected devices.more ›

In addition to Policies & Expectations, these pointers will maximize the learner’s convenience and advancement.more ›

There might not seem to be a great deal of glamour in language studies, but twenty-first century language studies are not merely about polylingualism. Taught properly, language studies are culture- and literature-driven fields that reflect an evolved discipline and an encompassing inquiry. In contrast to the descriptive and observational humanities, literature is an experiential medium and an art form that stand apart. A single individual can live a thousand lives through an author’s pages, but as it is said, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Entry-level language studies are not altogether different than learning a musical instrument. What might be rough and cacophonic at first later gives rise to glorious symphonies and language gives rise to powerful influence. The human mouth is as much an instrument as a piano or a trumpet and the brain forms synaptic pathways that enable speakers to move pharyngocranial muscles in ways that produce sounds which other brains map to coherent thought. In the abstract, language studies could seem banal but it is what a person does with an acquired language that makes it useful, relevant, interesting, and even exciting.more ›