SPAN401

Upper Intermediate Spanish I

Spanish 401 is an intensely practical advanced language course aim to strengthen fluency and accuracy in spoken and written communication with emphasis on mediation, interpretation, and metalinguistic competencies through translation (English into Spanish) and comparative stylistics. Through a variety of activities from different professional specializations (Business, Journalism, Public Relations, and Literary and Cultural Studies), students will approach the nuances of mediation and contrast be- tween languages, learn about theories and techniques of translation, grammatical and structural over- laps (or divergences) between Spanish and English, and discuss questions of fidelity, ethical implications and fluidity when interpreting voice, culture, and text. Ultimately, students will improve speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in Spanish and overall understanding of the translation process and all of its intricacies. Participants must be highly proficient in both Spanish and English.

• Spanish 401 has a community service-learning component through Spanish for Community that gives the students the opportunity to directly apply theory and practice in real and meaningful contexts, through translation projects for community organizations, local and abroad.
• This course also provides an introduction to career options in translation and interpretation, through a guest-speakers series, experts and members of Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia.
• This course has a final portfolio in lieu of written final examination.
• Readings materials will be provided as course package.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Recommended prerequisites: This course is recommended for students who have completed SPAN_V 302, SPAN_V 303 or successful completion of the language placement test.

Survey of Spanish American Literature to the 1820s

Lienzo de Tlaxcala (ca. 1585)

¿Qué es el colonialismo y en qué consiste su legado en América Latina? En este curso intentaremos contestar esta pregunta al analizar los textos más representativos de la llamada “literatura colonial” teniendo en cuenta una gran variedad de perspectivas (indígena, mestiza, española, criolla, etc.) y reflexionando sobre la pedagogía decolonial. Ubicaremos cada una de las obras seleccionadas dentro de su género y contexto sociohistórico para entender la interacción entre los variados aspectos con los que va tomando forma el discurso americano. Complementaremos nuestras lecturas con el estudio de la cultura material, el arte visual y las producciones no alfabéticas locales (sobre todo códices, quipus y mapas) de ese período. Al final del curso se harán breves incursiones por la literatura y el cine contemporáneos para evaluar la herencia del pasado colonial en la problemática social y cultural de la América Latina actual.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Instructor: Dr. Kim Beauchesne

Recommended pre-requisites: SPAN 221; and SPAN 301 or equivalent expertise in written and spoken Spanish.

The Golden Age of Peninsular Literature and Culture

Are heroes necessary for our existence and contemplation of ourselves as part of society? Is unconditional love possible without any exchanges implied? Is poverty deterministic or related to ones choices? Is fiction truth and vice versa? What a ruler should choose between family and the law? In this course, students will explore how the literature of the Spanish Middle and Golden Ages (the 11th to the 17th centuries) bring to the surface these and other central debates and controversies related to human existence both as individuals and as part of larger social frameworks. Students will prepare the readings, familiarize themselves with both sides of the arguments using literary evidence, stage a debate for every module, and write on the socio-political significance of such issues in relation to the present day.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Instructor: Dr. Raúl Álvarez Moreno

Recommended prerequisites: SPAN 221; and SPAN 301 or equivalent expertise in written and spoken Spanish

Beginners’ Portuguese I

Welcome to the Lusophone world, the world of the Portuguese-speaking countries! Study the most widely spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere and the 5^th most spoken native language in the world!

PORT 101 is an interactive introduction to Portuguese language. The rich cultures of Brazil, Portugal and many other African and Asian Lusophone countries are incorporated in the materials used in class, providing you with an opportunity to immerse in authentic sociocultural situations. You will participate in communicative activities that will help you to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. These activities will include role-play, group tasks, writing texts of practical nature such as basic internet communication, reading, and talking about simple articles on a variety of topics, playing games to revise lessons, watch and talk about short clips and music videos.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to sustain basic communication about everyday life situations, such as introductions, campus life, expressing personal interests and hobbies, asking for information, ordering food, etc.

Language of instruction: Portuguese

Instructor: Dr. Marco Schaumloeffel

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Spanish for Business

Know how to apply for a job in Spanish? Ready to present confidently a product or service in this language? Want to read and understand real economic or business related materials from Spanish-speaking countries?  Prepared to thrive in common situations you will face while conducting business in Spanish?

SPAN 308 will provide students with a working knowledge of business-related vocabulary, documents, concepts and cross-cultural practices from the Spanish-speaking business world. The course will offer the basic tools needed to function (i.e., apply for a job, effectively introduce a product or service in person or over Zoom, logistics…) , understand and produce business documents (i.e., letters, job descriptions, emails, commercial documents…), and carry out simple day-to-day negotiations in Spanish (i.e., vendor or supplier agreements, clients discounts, conflict resolution, …). In addition to the 21 Spanish-speaking countries that will be studied throughout the course, we will also take into account the growing importance of Brazil, North American Latino regions, trade agreements in North and South American commerce, and the European Union. Finally, the course will use of a variety of sources for information that will include, but are not limited to the textbooks, videos, magazines, on-line newspapers, digital media files (i.e. Podcasts), and guest speakers from the business world.

Prerequisite: One of SPAN 207, SPAN 302. Or successful completion of a language placement exam or an assessment interview.

Instructor: Dr. Raúl Álvarez Moreno

Language of instruction: Spanish