French, German, Italian & Spanish 112 / Beginning I & II
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop functional skills at the Novice Mid to High level of
the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language (Skills:
Communication), and to create an understanding of the variety of cultures in the world today (Values:
Cultural diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students will learn not only to
function linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative (Skills:
Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted mainly in the target language (grammar explanations and
some sensitive cultural issues will be explained in English).
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
 Engage in informal conversations and write short guided compositions in the target language on
some familiar topics using advance organizers
 Understand main ideas and some details from excerpts of newspapers and magazines in the
target language presented with advance organizers
 Understand main ideas and some details from spoken language in the target language on a
variety of topics at an everyday level presented with advance organizers
 Demonstrate knowledge of grammatical aspects of the target language including: the present,
future idiomatic, and simple past tenses; agreement with verbs and subjects and with nouns and
adjectives in gender and number; direct and indirect object pronouns; demonstrative adjectives
and pronouns
 Understand cultural concepts in both the native and target languages of the target cultures
studied, including: basic geography and history of the countries where the target language is
spoken; demonstrate knowledge of the products (things, both tangible and intangible, i.e., food,
literature, laws, music, education systems)
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal (speaking and writing) and interpretive (listening and reading)
communication through: Oral interview with professor in the target language; Interpretation of excerpts from
newspapers and magazines in the target language on written homework, quizzes/tests and exams; Guided
expository writing in the target language in contextual situations on exams; Listening comprehension activities
in the target language in class and on tests or exams; 2) Grammatical structure of the language through: Oral
interview with professor in the target language; Guided expository writing in the target language in
contextualized situations on compositions and exams; 3) Cultural concepts through: Written critical reaction
evaluations in the native language on quizzes and exams
French, German, Italian & Spanish 201 / Intermediate I
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop skills at the Novice High to Intermediate Low
level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language
(Skills: Communication), and to create an understanding of the variety of cultures in the world today
(Values: Cultural diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students will learn not
only to function linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative
(Skills: Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted mainly in the target language (some grammar and
some sensitive cultural issues will be explained in English).
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
 Engage in formal and informal conversations (providing and obtaining information) in the target
language on a variety of familiar topics using advance organizers
 Write guided compositions comprehensively in the target language on a variety of familiar topics
using advance organizers
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Understand main ideas and important details of written language in the target language on a
variety of topics both at an everyday level (newspapers and magazines,) and glossed literature
(poetry and cultural essays), presented with advance organizers
Understand main ideas and important details of spoken language in the target language on a
variety of topics presented with advance organizers
Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in the target language using socio-cultural
nuances
Demonstrate knowledge of grammatical aspects of the target language including: the present,
present perfect, simple past and pluperfect tenses; the present indicative vs. the present and
present perfect subjunctive; direct and indirect object pronouns; the comparatives of equality
and inequality, and the superlative; gerunds and infinitives; indefinite and negative pronouns
Understand cultural concepts in the target language of the target cultures studied, including:
character and cultural identity; comprehension of the relationship between the perspectives
(value systems, attitudes, and beliefs of people from the target cultures) and practices (patterns
of social interaction, i.e., what to do, when, where and how)
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening, reading, viewing)
communication through: Oral interviews with instructor in the target language; Interpretation of excerpts from
newspapers, magazines and literature (poetry and cultural essays) in the target language on quizzes and
exams; Guided expository compositions in the target language; Critical reactions in the target language in
guided contextual situations on exams. 2) Structure of the language through: Oral interviews with instructor
of the target language; Guided expository compositions in the target language; Critical reactions in the target
language in guided contextual situations on exams. 3) Cultural concepts through: Written critical reaction
evaluations on quizzes and exams in the native language.
French, German, Italian & Spanish 202 / Intermediate II
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop skills at the Intermediate Low to Mid level of the
ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in reading, writing, listening and speaking the target language (Skills:
Communication), and to create an understanding of the variety of Hispanic cultures in the world today
(Values: Cultural diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students will learn not
only to function linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative
(Skills: Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted entirely in the target language.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
 Engage in formal and informal conversations (providing and obtaining information) in the target
language on a variety of topics using advance organizers
 Write guided compositions comprehensively in the target language on a variety of topics using
advance organizers
 Understand ideas and important details of written language from magazines and glossed
literature (poetry, short stories & essays) in the target language presented with advance
organizers
 Understand ideas and important details of spoken and visual language on a variety of topics in
the target language presented with advance organizers
 Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in the target language using socio-cultural
nuances
 Demonstrate knowledge of grammatical aspects in the target language including: the present
indicative vs. the present and present perfect subjunctive; the future and conditional tenses; the
imperfect and pluperfect subjunctive and hypothetical (if) clauses
 Explain cultural concepts in the native and/or target language, including: character and cultural
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identity; comprehension of the relationship between the perspectives (value systems, attitudes,
and beliefs of people from the target cultures) and practices (patterns of social interaction, i.e.,
what to do, when, where and how) of the target cultures studied
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication through: Classroom speaking evaluations in the target language (oral
interviews with instructor, or presentations and debates); Interpretation of excerpts from newspapers,
magazines and literature (poetry, short stories and essays) in the target language on quizzes and exams;
Guided expository compositions in the target language; Critical reactions in the target language of guided
contextual situations on exams. 2) Structure of the language through: Classroom speaking evaluations in the
target language (oral interviews with professor or class presentations and debates); Guided expository
compositions in the target language; Critical reactions in the target language of guided contextual situations
on exams. 3) Cultural concepts through: Written critical reaction evaluations in both the native and target
languages on quizzes and exams; Class presentations in the target language.
Spanish 203 / Conversational Medical Spanish
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop functional skills in conversational medical Spanish
at the Intermediate Low level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines so that students will be able to easily interact
with their future Spanish-speaking patients (Skills: Communication). Students will also examine the customs
and history of the different Spanish-speaking cultures in the United States (Values: Human and Cultural
diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students will learn not only to function
linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative (Skills: Critical
reasoning). The class will be conducted mainly in Spanish.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
 Conduct medical interviews in Spanish (providing and obtaining information) using the appropriate
medical terminology
 Simulate registering patients, taking medical histories and giving physical exams in Spanish using the
appropriate medical terminology
 Discuss pharmacotherapy, diet and other health-related issues in Spanish using the appropriate medical
terminology
 Explain common medical procedures in Spanish using the appropriate medical terminology
 Demonstrate knowledge of grammatical aspects in Spanish (in order to interact with their future
Spanish-speaking patients) including: the present, present perfect, future idiomatic and simple past
tenses; the comparatives of equality and inequality, and the superlative; indefinite and negative
pronouns; formal commands
 Understand cultural concepts, including: the cultural backgrounds & diversity of the many Spanishspeaking cultures in the United States; home remedies and alternative healing of these Spanish-speaking
cultures
 Understand the history of immigration in the United States, both documented and undocumented
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (medical interviews);
Paired simulations to professor of registering patients, taking medical histories, giving physical exams and
educating patients about pharmacotherapy and common medical procedures; Evaluations of comprehension of
simulated interviews between medical practitioners and their patients from videos through quizzes;
Evaluations of comprehension of medical topics in reading passages through quizzes. 2) Structure of the
language in Spanish through: Paired simulations to professor of registering patients, taking medical histories,
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giving physical exams and educating patients about pharmacotherapy and common medical procedures;
Classroom speaking evaluations (medical interviews); Written interview questions and answers on exams. 3)
Cultural concepts through: Written critical reaction evaluations in English on quizzes and exams.
Spanish 204 / Spanish for Law Enforcement
Objectives: The main objectives of this course are to develop skills in conversational Spanish for law
enforcement at the Intermediate Low level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines (Skills: Communication).
Students will also examine the customs, culture and history of the different latino cultures in the United States
(Values: Human and Cultural Diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural Issues, Historical Perspective).
Additionally, students will learn not only to function linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both
critically thoughtful and creative (Skills: Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students should be able to:
 Conduct simulated interviews in Spanish (providing and obtaining information) with Spanish-speaking
victims, perpetrators, or witnesses of accidents or criminal acts, using the appropriate law enforcement
terminology and vocabulary in order to write up incident reports and/or assist in interrogations for
crime-solving
 Discuss and explain suspected perpetrators’ rights using the appropriate law enforcement terminology
 Demonstrate knowledge of grammatical aspects in Spanish, including: the present, present perfect,
future idiomatic and simple past tenses; the comparatives of equality and inequality, and the superlative;
indefinite and negative pronouns; formal commands
 Understand the cultural backgrounds and diversity of the many latino cultures in the U.S.
 Understand the history of immigration in the United States, both documented and undocumented
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (law enforcement
interviews); Paired simulations to professor of interviewing victims and/or witnesses of accidents or criminal
acts; Paired simulations to professor of interrogations of perpetrators; Written incident reports on tests;
Simulation of oral explanation of suspected perpetrators’ rights to professor. Evaluations of comprehension of
law enforcement topics in reading passages through quizzes. 2) Structure of the language in Spanish through:
Classroom speaking evaluations (law enforcement interviews); Paired simulations to professor of interviewing
victims and/or witnesses of accidents or criminal acts; Paired simulations to professor of interrogations of
perpetrators; Written incident reports on tests; Simulation of oral explanation of suspected perpetrators’ rights
to professor; Evaluations of comprehension of law enforcement topics in reading passages through quizzes;
Paired simulations to professor of registering patients, taking medical histories, giving physical exams and
educating patients about pharmacotherapy and common medical procedures; Classroom speaking evaluations
(law enforcement interviews); Written interview questions and answers on exams. 3) Cultural concepts
through: Written critical reaction evaluations in both English and Spanish on quizzes and exams.
Spanish 301 / Advanced Composition and Grammar
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop skills at the Intermediate High level of the ACTFL
Proficiency Guidelines in writing, reading, listening and speaking Spanish (Skills: Communication), and to
create an understanding of the variety of Hispanic cultures in the world today (Values: Cultural diversity;
Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students will refine their skills both linguistically and
culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative (Skills: Critical reasoning). The class
will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
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Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Engage in formal and informal conversations (providing and obtaining information) in Spanish
on a wide variety of topics
 Write both expository and critical reaction essays comprehensively in Spanish on a wide variety
of topics
 Understand written language both at an everyday level (newspapers, magazines, Internet) and
literature (poetry, short stories and essays) in Spanish
 Understand ideas and important details of spoken and visual (movies and documentaries) on
any topic in Spanish
 Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in Spanish using socio-cultural nuances
 Demonstrate knowledge of any grammatical aspect in the Spanish language including: proper
sequence of tenses; direct and indirect discourse; lexical variations and idiomatic expressions
 Explain cultural concepts including: Jewish and Moorish influence on Spanish national identity;
the Age of Tolerance among Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Spain; the Spanish Civil War and
its first world-renowned victim -- Federico García Lorca
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (from discussions and
debates); Oral interpretation of literature (poetry, short stories and essays) and movies and documentaries in
class discussions and debates and in critical reaction essays; Expository and critical reaction essays, critical
reasoning / research essay; Written critical reactions in contextualized situations on exams. 2) Structure of
the language in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (discussions and debates); Expository and
critical reasoning essays, critical reasoning / research essay. 3) Cultural concepts in Spanish through:
Critical reasoning essays and critical reasoning / research essay; Classroom speaking evaluations (discussions
and debates).
Spanish 303 / Advanced Medical Spanish
Objectives: The main objectives of this course are to refine skills in conversational medical Spanish at the
Intermediate Mid to High level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines so that students will be able to easily interact
with their future Spanish-speaking patients and their families (Skills: Communication). Students will also
continue to examine the customs and history of the different Spanish-speaking cultures in the United States
(Values: Human and Cultural diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues). Additionally, students
will learn not only to function linguistically, but also culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and
creative (Skills: Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Conduct extensive medical interviews in Spanish while simulating examination of patients
 Explain and discuss diseases, complex medical procedures, pharmacotherapy, diet and other healthrelated issues in Spanish
 Understand videos of surgeries and alternative healing such as acupuncture and herbal remedies in
Spanish
 Write about and discuss videos of surgeries and alternative healing such as acupuncture and herbal
remedies in Spanish
 Demonstrate knowledge of advanced grammatical aspects (the present, present perfect and imperfect
subjunctive, preterit vs. imperfect) in Spanish in order to discuss health-related topics and to interact
with their future Spanish-speaking patients and their families
 Understand cultural concepts including: cross-cultural comparisons of ancient alternative healing
methods; how Spanish-speaking cultures deal with and treat different diseases and medical
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conditions; dangers of combining certain traditional herbal remedies with prescribed pharmaceutical
medications.
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Classroom presentations of simulations between
patients and health-care providers concerning diseases, surgeries and other complex medical procedures,
including discussion of pharmacotherapy; Classroom power-point presentations based on research of a healthrelated topic; Expository and critical reaction essay questions based on reading medical topics, or viewing
surgeries, documentaries and movies; Evaluations of classroom oral discussions of medical topics obtained
through reading or videos. 2) Structure of the language in Spanish through: Paired classroom presentations of
simulations between patients and health-care providers concerning diseases, surgeries and other complex
medical procedures; Classroom power-point presentations based on research of a health-related topic;
Expository and critical reaction essay questions based on reading medical topics, or viewing surgeries,
documentaries and movies; Evaluations of classroom oral discussions of medical topics obtained through
reading or videos. 3) Cultural concepts in Spanish through: Written critical reaction evaluations based on
movies and readings about alternative healing on quizzes; Evaluations of classroom discussions of alternative
healing practices of Spanish-speaking cultures.
Spanish 312 / Latin American Culture
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop skills at the Intermediate High level of the ACTFL
Proficiency Guidelines in writing, reading, listening and speaking Spanish (Skills: Communication). Latin
American Cultural Studies will focus on events of the 20th century that have caused an impact on the everyday
lives of the people of Latin America. Students will also examine the customs, culture, and history of all of the
social classes of the countries to the south of our border (Values: Human and cultural diversity;
Knowledge: Multicultural issues, Historical perspective). At the same time, students will have the
opportunity to study, evaluate, and discuss polemical issues which many people from the U.S. find difficult to
comprehend (Values: Moral and ethical questions). Additionally, students will refine their skills both
linguistically and culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and creative (Skills: Critical
reasoning). The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Engage in formal discussions and debates in Spanish, including interpretation and reaction to
polemical issues about Latin America
 Write critical reaction essays comprehensively in Spanish on a wide variety of topics pertaining
to Latin America
 Understand written language both at an everyday level (newspapers, magazines, Internet) and
literature (poetry, short stories and essays) in Spanish
 Understand ideas and important details of spoken and visual (movies and documentaries)
Spanish on any topic pertaining to Latin America
 Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in Spanish using socio-cultural nuances
 Explain cultural concepts including: classism and racism; the history of violence in military
dictatorships; revolution, power, and democracy; torture and impunity; liberation theology
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (discussions and
debates); Oral interpretation of literature (historical and/or political novels and essays) and movies and
documentaries in class discussions, debates and oral presentations; Critical reasoning essays. 2) Structure of
the language in Spanish through: Classroom speaking evaluations (discussions, debates and oral
presentations); Critical reasoning essays; reading comprehension quizzes. 3) Cultural concepts in Spanish
through: Critical reasoning essays; Classroom speaking evaluations (discussions, debates and presentations).
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Spanish 499 / *Literature
Objectives: The main objectives of the course are to develop skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking at
the Advanced Low level of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines in reading, writing, listening and speaking Spanish
(Skills: Communication), and to create an awareness of and an appreciation for the rich variety of Hispanic
literature in the world today (Values: Cultural diversity; Knowledge: Multicultural issues) by
reading a literary work by a Latin-American or Spanish author (Knowledge: Primary Sources). Students
will also refine their skills both linguistically and culturally, in a way that is both critically thoughtful and
creative (Skills: Critical reasoning). The class will be conducted entirely in Spanish.
Learning outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
 Engage in formal discussions (providing and obtaining information) in Spanish on a wide variety
of literary topics
 Read and understand literature (poetry, novels and/or short stories) and articles written on
literary criticism in Spanish
 Write critical reaction essays on literary works comprehensively in Spanish
 Express feelings and emotions and exchange opinions in Spanish using socio-cultural nuances
 Demonstrate knowledge of any grammatical aspect in the Spanish language including: proper
sequence of tenses; direct and indirect discourse; lexical variations and idiomatic expressions
 Explain cultural concepts pertaining to the literature read for the course
Assessment: 1) Interpersonal and Presentational (speaking and writing), and Interpretive (listening,
reading, viewing) communication in Spanish through: Oral interview on literary topics with professor;
Presentation about literary work to professor; Critical reaction essays. 2) Structure of the language in Spanish
through: Oral interview on literary topics with professor; Presentation about literary work to professor;
Critical reaction essays 3) Cultural concepts in Spanish through: Critical reaction essays; Classroom
speaking evaluations through: Oral interview on literary topics with professor; Presentation about literary
work to professor.
*Spanish 499 topics can vary, depending on students’ other major.
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