DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES

CHAIR: CHARLES W. (BILL) BRIDGES

The Department of English and Foreign Languages comprises two programs: one in English, one in Foreign Languages. Each program offers students the opportunity to study language, literature, composition and cultures.

Foreign Languages Program

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Mary E. Gutermuth

NAVIGATION: Spanish Language Major | Spanish Language Minor | Spanish Teaching Certification | Course Descriptions

FACULTY: Gerling, Koeninger, Meredith, Policarpo, Raymond, Rodríguez-Barberá, Saumell-Muñoz

The study of foreign languages not only enables a person to communicate in another language, but it also opens new doors to different cultures. Students of languages may experience foreign thought, literature, and heritage that enrich their lives. Knowledge of languages provides exciting opportunities to travel and have rewarding careers.

Professionals with competence in one or more foreign languages are needed in agriculture, business, computer science, criminology, education, the fine arts, government service, industry, international business, medicine, science, and related areas. The Foreign Languages Program prepares students for professions requiring a foreign language as a major skill and also functions as a service area in career preparation.

Students in Foreign Languages may receive the Bachelor of Arts in either French or Spanish. Minors are available in French, Spanish and German.

The Foreign Languages Program sponsors several activities designed to enhance the language student's experience at Sam Houston State University.

Organizations: The Foreign Languages Program sponsors Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society and Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society. Students also may participate in the French and Spanish Clubs.

Puebla Field School: Each summer, SHSU offers courses in the beautiful city of Puebla, Mexico. Students may take advanced Spanish courses and courses at all levels in such disciplines as art, business, and agriculture on the campus of the Universidad Iberoamericana.

Scholarships: Students in languages may apply for the Foreign Languages Scholarship and for the Mozelle Powell Spanish Scholarship. For more information, contact the Foreign Languages office or the Foreign Languages program web site. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships web site or telephone (936) 294-1672.

REQUIRED COURSES FOR MAJOR

A major in French or Spanish requires a total of 32 hours of course work. These include 141, 142, 263, 264, plus 18 hours of advanced courses (12 hours of which must be taken in residence.)

Foreign language majors and language students in the teacher certification program must take at least one history or geography course dealing with the country or countries whose language they are studying in order to promote interdisciplinary and international education. Students are required to have a 3.0 or the equivalent in their advanced major/minor teaching areas prior to being permitted to take the ExCET or the TOPT examinations.

MINOR IN FRENCH, GERMAN, OR SPANISH

A minor in French, German, or Spanish requires a total of 23 hours of course work. These include 141, 142, 263, 264, plus nine hours of advanced courses (six hours of which must be taken in residence.)

Foreign Language Requirement: The 12-14 semester hour requirement consists of four courses in one language: 141, 142, 263, and 264. These courses must be taken in sequence. No two courses in the series may be taken concurrently without the written approval of the Department Chair. The requirement reads “12-14 hours” to accommodate transfer students from institutions that award only 3 hours credit for each semester of the first year.

Placement Examination: The University offers a CLEP subject exam in order to determine the level of a student’s high school foreign language preparation. Credit is given for courses which need not be taken because of adequate performance on the examination. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

SPANISH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SPN 141 ELEMENTARY SPANISH I. [SPAN 1411] For students who have had no previous instruction in Spanish. Introduction to Spanish pronunciation, vocabulary, and basic language codes stressing an oral approach to the language with special emphasis on conversation and oral drill. Two one-hour language laboratory periods weekly are required. For non-native speakers of Spanish. Native Spanish speakers should take the CLEP or register for 264. Credit 4.

SPN 142 ELEMENTARY SPANISH II. [SPAN 1412] This course is a continuation of SPN 141. Language codes with more complexity are discussed and drilled. Stress is placed on aural and oral skills. Two one-hour language laboratory periods weekly are required. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in SPN 141 or equivalent. For non-native speakers of Spanish. Native Spanish speakers should take the CLEP or register for 264. Credit 4.

SPN 263 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I. [SPAN 2311] Readings of medium difficulty are used as a basis for reading and aural comprehension as well as for oral communication. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in SPN 142 or equivalent. For non-native speakers of Spanish. Native Spanish speakers should take the CLEP or register for 264. Credit 3.

SPN 264 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II. [SPAN 2312] Continuation of SPN 263 with special emphasis on practical needs for communication. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in SPN 263 or equivalent. A section may be reserved for native Spanish speakers. Credit 3.

SPN 361 SPANISH GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION. Study of the syntactical and morphological characteristics of the Spanish language with emphasis on developing the ability to write in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 264, the equivalent of SPN 264, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 362 SURVEY OF SPANISH LITERATURE I. A study of the development of the literature of Spain from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Various eras, genres, and authors are studied. Prerequisite: SPN 361, the equivalent of SPN 361, or consent of the Coordinator or Chair. Credit 3.

SPN 363 SURVEY OF SPANISH LITERATURE II. Will focus on the literature of Spain beginning with the eighteenth century to the present. Masterworks from genres of drama, poetry, and prose will be read, discussed in Spanish and analyzed in written reports. Prerequisite: SPN 361, the equivalent of SPN 361, or consent of the Coordinator or Chair. Credit 3.

SPN 367 PRINCIPLES OF LINGUISTICS. A study of descriptive, applied, and contrastive linguistics. Prerequisite: SPN 361, 368, or the consent of the Coordinator or Chair. Credit 3.

SPN 368 CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH I. Emphasis is placed on extemporaneous speaking and conversation. Reading materials from Spanish speaking countries will be included as a basis for conversation and composition. This course cannot be taken for credit by native Spanish speakers. Prerequisite: SPN 264, the equivalent of SPN 264, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 369 CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH II. Emphasis is placed on extemporaneous speaking and conversation. Reading materials from Spanish speaking countries will be included as a basis for conversation and composition. Prerequisite: SPN 361,368 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 374 INTRODUCTION TO THE LITERATURE OF SPANISH AMERICA. Study of the texts of Spanish-American writers from the Conquest to the present with emphasis given to the historical, cultural, and political factors which influenced their writing. Instruction is in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 361, the equivalent of SPN 361, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 375 GENRES IN SPANISH-AMERICAN LITERATURE. Studies of themes and techniques of outstanding Spanish- American poets, dramatists or novelists. Prerequisite: SPN 361, 368 or the consent of the instructor. Credit 3.

*SPN 376 THE MEXICAN SHORT STORY. A study of the short story form in Mexico, particularly from the years 1934 to the present. Students will read and analyze short stories and discuss them in Spanish in class. They will also keep a daily diary, in Spanish, using vocabulary from the stories. Each student will also have an individual project. A midterm and a final examination will be required. Prerequisite: SPN 361 or permission of the instructor. Credit. 3.

SPN 380 SPANISH CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION. An overview of the culture and civilization of Spain. Prerequisite: SPN 264, the equivalent of SPN 264, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 385 SPANISH-AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION. A study of the culture and civilization of the Spanish-speaking areas of the Americas. Prerequisite: SPN 264, the equivalent of SPN 264, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 460 DON QUIJOTE. Analysis of the counter-reformation masterpiece by Miguel de Cervantes, with special attention to the author’s experimentation with various literary genres of his epoch to create the ‘first modern novel.” Prerequisites: SPN 369; SPN 461 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 461 ADVANCED GRAMMAR. An in-depth study of the usage of the Spanish language as it relates to creative writing and scholarly reports. Prerequisite: SPN 361 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 464 SPANISH-AMERICAN PROSE. A study of selected authors, short stories, essays, or novels. Emphasis on themes, techniques, and current literary themes. Prerequisite: SPN 361, 368, the equivalent, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

SPN 470 SEMINAR IN SELECTED TOPICS IN LITERATURE, LANGUAGE, OR CIVILIZATION. An in-depth study of a selected topic. The topic to be explored will change from year to year. This course may be repeated for credit as the content varies. Prerequisite: advanced standing in Spanish. Credit 3.

SPN 475 INDIVIDUAL READINGS IN SPANISH. Designed for the individual student who may need to study a particular era, genre, or author. Enrollment in this course is restricted. Credit 3.

SPN 486 CONTEMPORARY SPANISH PENINSULAR LITERATURE. A study of selected works by contemporary peninsular writers. Prerequisite: SPN 361, 368, the equivalent, or consent of instructor. Credit 3.