Foreign language courses
ESL101 - Introduction to American Culture
An introduction to American cultural traits and social and religious customs for international students beginning their studies in the United States. Special focus will be given to local Midwestern culture and rural issues.(2 credits)
ESL201 - Oral English
Extensive training and practice in speaking English and comprehending spoken English. Emphasis upon the development of listening comprehension strategies, idiomatic vocabulary, and skills in rephrasing, interrogation, and verification. Each student will be pretested in pronunciation, listening comprehension, speaking and vocabulary. Tutorials and materials appropriate to the student's present proficiency will be utilized, as well as large group presentations and activities.Prerequisite: This class is open only to ESL students with a concurrent enrollment in ESL101, or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
ESL202 - ESL Bible
The Bible is the foundation for the Jewish and Christian traditions, and has powerfully influenced every dimension of Western Civilization. By studying the Bible, students gain access to the heart of the Judaic-Christian traditions and build a foundation for better understanding Western philosophy, literature, art, music, law and history. In this course, ESL students read selections from the English Bible as well as short excerpts from pieces of Western Literature that have been inspired by the Bible. The aim is both to improve English reading, writing, and speaking skills and also better appreciate the cultural importance of the Jewish and Christian scriptures. Time permitting, students may rehearse and perform in English a short one-act drama based upon a classic Bible story.Prerequisites: ESL101, 201, and 203, or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
ESL203 - ESL Writing
The study and practice of formal and informal modes of written communication accepted in American academic work. Intensive work will be done to develop fluency in writing and reading, expand vocabulary, diagnose and remediate grammatical deficiencies and train students to identify and correct their own mistakes.Prerequisite: this class is open only to ESL students with a concurrent enrollment in ESL201 or ESL251, or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
ESL204 - ESL Literature
A study at the intermediate level of English language literature, emphasis will be placed on the development of reading skills and reading strategies through an introduction to literature in the English language. Students will learn how to effectively read a literary text in English, including the development of vocabulary and grammar recognition.Prerequisites: ESL101, 201, and concurrent enrollment in ESL203, or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
ESL205 - Business English
This course is designed to meet the needs of international students who intend to study business at an American institution or whose primary reason in learning English is for conducting business. The course focuses on learning business concepts and terminology as well as improving communication skills.Prerequisites: ESL251 or 201, and concurrent enrollment in ESL203, or permission of instructor.(2 credits)
ESL206 - English for Academic Purposes
This course is designed to meet the needs of international students who intend to pursue undergraduate and/or graduate studies in the United States. The course focuses on preparing students for the demands of academic lecture comprehension, note- taking, and also on improving writing skills in evaluating and organizing material as well as predicting upcoming information. In addition, students will practice reading strategies to improve textbook comprehension.Prerequisites: ESL101, 201, and 203, or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
ESL251 - Advanced Oral English
Continued training and practice in speaking English and comprehending spoken English. Emphasis upon the development of listening comprehension strategies, development of idiomatic vocabulary, skills in paraphrasing, initiating conversation, interrogation, note taking and verification, and the writing of short essays on comparative-cultural topics. Training and practice in college reading strategies toward the dual goal of increased speed and comprehension. Individual work on pronunciation problems.Prerequisite: This class is open only to ESL students with the prerequisite of ESL201 or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
SPA111 - Beginning Spanish Language and Culture
Combined study of language and culture. Students will compare and contrast
dominant US culture with major themes of Hispanic culture and gain insight
in how culture infuses both life and language alike. Novice study of the
language in a communicative context. Emphasis upon integration of developing
language skills with cultural understanding and sensitivity in oral
communication settings. Prerequisite: No previous study of Spanish, or
placement by the foreign language placement exam. (4 credits)
SPA112LA - Beginning Spanish Language and Culture
Combined study of language and culture. Building on their previously
acquired learning of Spanish, students will compare and contrast dominant US
culture with major themes of Hispanic culture and gain insight in how
culture infuses both life and language alike. Novice study of the language
in a communicative context. Emphasis upon integration of developing language
skills with cultural understanding and sensitivity in oral communication
settings. Prerequisite: SPA111, or placement by the foreign language
placement exam. (4 credits) (NWCore option under Language and Culture)
SPA201LA - Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture
(3 credits)(NWCore option under Language and Culture) Combined study of
intermediate language and culture. Study of primary sources in print,
audio and visual forms to develop appreciation for the ways culture in
general and the language's culture in particular shape a variety of
social contexts. Building on previously acquired ability in Spanish,
continued study of language in a communicative context with considerable
emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills.
Prerequisite: SPA102, or placement by the foreign language placement exam.
SPA202 - Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture
Combined study of intermediate language and culture. Study of primary sources in print, audio and visual forms to develop appreciation for the ways culture in general and the language's culture in particular shape a variety of social contexts. Building on previously acquired ability in Spanish, continued study of language in a communicative context with considerable emphasis upon precision and expansion of linguistic skills.Prerequisite: SPA201, or placement by the foreign language placement exam.(3 credits)
SPA308 - Methods of Teaching Foreign Language
Study of the methods and approaches most commonly used in K-12 foreign
language teaching. Discussion of recent research and methodology in child
and adolescent foreign language acquisition. This course requires a 30-hour
practicum and is required of each candidate seeking an endorsement in this
content area. Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency. (4 credits)
Notes: Does not count toward the Spanish major or minor. Students must earn
a "C" or better in the special methods course in order
to fulfill program requirements for secondary licensure.
SPA311 - Advanced Spanish Conversation
The main goal of this course is to improve oral communication, which includes speaking as well as listening, comprehension. Since successful communication also involves cultural awareness of the Spanish speaker's feelings, thoughts and attitudes, part of this course involves studying sources of these important underlying constructs.Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency.(1 credit)
SPA312WI - Advanced Grammar and Composition
(3 credits)(Writing intensive) Advanced development of writing skills and
a review of difficult grammar concepts. Students will be expected to
write in a variety of contexts. Emphasis will be on the writing process.
The majority of the assignments will be completed in steps including
multiple drafts. Additionally, students will be expected to review
grammar and complete some grammar exercises.
Note: Taught in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPA 202 or equivalent proficiency.
SPA314 - Introduction to Reading Hispanic Literature
Advanced development of reading skills and strategies and an introduction to Hispanic literature and literary topics. Students will learn how to effectively read a literary text in Spanish. Attention will be paid to strategies for understanding context through vocabulary and grammar recognition. Additionally students will be introduced to the literary genres and cultural contexts of the texts they study as well as pertinent critical commentary.Prerequisite: SPA202 or equivalent proficiency.(3 credits)
SPA326 - The Sounds of Spanish
An in-depth study of Spanish phonetics. Topics include techniques and rules of Spanish articulation, analysis of the sounds of vowels and consonants in Spanish and their differences from English pronunciation, syllabication, rhythm, stress, pitch and intonation. Prerequisites: SPA202 and one 3-credit 300-level course. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA327 - Hispanics in the United States
A wide-ranging study of the current situation of Hispanics in the United States. After an historical overview, a thematic approach will be taken to better understand the role of Hispanics in the United States and their growing influence. Possible topics include demographics, voting tendencies, purchasing power, Hispanic media, religion, labor laws, immigration, Spanglish and bilingualism, among others. Using interviews and research, the course will conclude with a study of our Hispanic neighbors here in northwest Iowa.Prerequisites: SPA202 and one 3-credit 300-level course.(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA331 - Introduction to Translation and Interpreting
An introduction to the related fields of translation and interpreting.
Students will be introduced to the different theories and techniques of
translation and interpreting, the differences between the two fields and
within each field, ethical and moral considerations for translators and
interpreters, the role of translating and the translator as well as
interpreting and the interpreter, and the modes of interpreting including
consecutive, simultaneous and sight-translation. Students will apply the
theoretical principals by working primarily from their B language to their A
language for both translation and interpreting. Prerequisites: SPA202 and two 3-credit 300 level Spanish courses, or by
permission of instructor. (3 credits)
SPA332 - Interpreting I
An in-depth study of interpreting at the introductory level between Spanish
and English, with both theoretical background knowledge and applied practice
included. Specific topic areas covered involve legal, medical and religious
interpreting. Prerequisites: SPA331. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA333 - Interpreting II
An intermediate level course taken after completion of Interpreting I,
students will continue to strengthen their skills in sight-translation and
short and long consecutive interpreting while beginning in-depth study of
simultaneous interpreting. Students will reinforce their interpreting
techniques by applying consecutive interpreting strategies to simultaneous
interpreting. Course material will broaden from legal, medical and religious
interpreting to include other areas such as science and politics, and will
include continued discussion of moral, ethical and Christian considerations
for interpreters. Although primarily from Language B to A, students will
also begin to interpret from their A language into their B language more and
more. Prerequisites: SPA331 & 332. (3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA334 - Interpreting III
An advanced level course taken after completion of Interpreting II, students
will consolidate their skills in sight-translation and short and long
consecutive interpreting while primarily focusing on simultaneous
interpreting. Students will deepen and reinforce their simultaneous
interpreting abilities with the addition of new strategies, skills building
exercises and practice techniques. Course material will include a broad
range of materials from the legal, medical, religious, scientific, political
and other fields and will increasingly be from real-world situations.
Continued discussion of moral, ethical and Christian considerations for
interpreters. Students will interpret both from their B language into their
A language as well as A to B. Prerequisites: SPA 331, 332 & 333. (3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA336 - Translation I
This course is an introduction to the theory, methods, techniques and
problems involved in basic translation. The first half of the semester will
focus mostly on translating from Spanish to English. The second half of the
course will involve general material from specific areas of life: popular
culture, music, social sciences, education, business, medicine, the legal
profession, etc., with translation exercises from both Spanish to English
and English to Spanish. Prerequisites: SPA331. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA337 - Translation II
An intermediate level course taken after completion of Translation I,
students will continue to strengthen their skills in translation by becoming
more adept at applying the theory, methods and techniques first introduced
in earlier courses. Course material will come from a broad array of legal,
medical, religious, scientific and political sources, as well as materials
stemming from community needs. Although primarily from Language B to A,
students will also increasingly translate from their A language into their B
language more and more. Prerequisites: SPA 331 & 336. (3 credits; alternate
years, consult department)
SPA338 - Translation III
An advanced level course taken after completion of Translation II, students
will consolidate their skills in translation. Students will learn how to
improve earlier translations (either from their own translation or from
others) as they target their translations for specific audiences. Course
material will come from a broad array of legal, medical, religious,
scientific and political sources, as well as materials stemming from
community needs. Course material will be longer in nature and more
challenging than that of Translation II. Students will translate both from
their Language B into their Language A as well as A to B. Prerequisites: SPA331, 336 & 337.
(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA344 - Practicum in Spanish
Designed for advanced Spanish students, this practicum gives students the opportunity to practice their Spanish on a daily basis in a Spanish speaking environment. Emphasis is placed on the development of oral communication, both speaking and listening. Placement opportunities include, but are not limited to, living in the Northwestern College Spanish house or with a Spanish speaking Hispanic family.Prerequisite: SPA202. Enrollment through permission of modern foreign languages department.(2 credits)
SPA345 - Practicum in Translation and Interpreting
Designed for advanced translation and interpreting students, this practicum
gives students the opportunity to practice their professional skills in a
real world environment. Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis. Prerequisites: SPA334, 338 & permission of the MFL department. (2 credits, consult department)
SPA351 - Survey of Hispanic Literature from Spain
A study of peninsular Spanish literature from El Cid to the present. Emphasis upon major literary movements and their representative masterpieces. Prerequisite: SPA314 or permission of instructor. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA352 - Survey of Hispanic Literature from the Americas
A study of Spanish Latin-American literature from the colonial period to the present. Emphasis upon major literary movements and their representative masterpieces. Prerequisite: SPA314 or permission of instructor. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
SPA361 - Legal Interpreting I: Practice and Translation
An advanced level course introducing the students to the complex field of
legal interpreting. The first of four courses, students will become familiar
with the three interpreting modes - sight-translation, consecutive
interpreting and simultaneous interpreting - and will then focus on
sight-translation; in addition, students will also learn the methods,
techniques and problems involved in written legal translation. Students will
work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source
materials will be legal/court related in nature.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the T&I program as demonstrated by a
high level of fluency in both English and Spanish.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA362 - Legal Interpreting II: Practice & Ethics
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the
introductory course for the complex field of legal interpreting. The second
of four courses, students will focus on consecutive interpreting, involving
extensive note-taking and memory skills; in addition, students will also
learn the intricacies of ethics for legal interpreters. Students will work
from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials
will be legal/court related in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 361.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA363 - Legal Interpreting III: Practice & Technology
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the first two
courses for the complex field of legal interpreting. The third of four
courses, students will focus on the highly complicated skill of simultaneous
interpreting, involving input and output at the same time; in addition,
students will also learn about the different technologies and remote
interpreting platforms that professional court interpreters use. Students
will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source
materials will be legal/court related in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 362.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA364 - Legal Interpreting IV: Practice & The Profession
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the previous
courses for the complex field of legal interpreting. The fourth of four
courses, students will consolidate their skills of sight-translation,
consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting as they prepare for
certification exams; in addition, students will also learn about the
intricacies and challenges of working as a professional, certified court
interpreter. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into
English. All source materials will be legal/court related in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 363.
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA365 - Special Topics in Language
A study of topics in Spanish language and culture not fully covered in other
Spanish courses in response to student or faculty interests.
Note: May be taken more than once, provided a different topic is studied.
(2-4 credits)
SPA371 - Medical Interpreting I: Practice & Translation
An advanced level course introducing the students to the complex field of
medical interpreting. The first of four courses, students will become
familiar with the three interpreting modes - sight-translation, consecutive
interpreting and simultaneous interpreting - and will then focus on
sight-translation; in addition, students will also learn the methods,
techniques and problems involved in written medical translation. Students
will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source
materials will be medical in nature.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the T&I program as demonstrated by a
high level of fluency in both English and Spanish.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA372 - Medical Interpreting II: Practice & Ethics
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the
introductory course for the complex field of medical interpreting. The
second of four courses, students will focus on consecutive interpreting,
involving extensive note-taking and memory skills; in addition, students
will also learn the intricacies of ethics for medical interpreters. Students
will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source
materials will be medical in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 371.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA373 - Medical Interpreting III: Practice & Technology
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the first two
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The third of four
courses, students will focus on the highly complicated skill of simultaneous
interpreting (involving input and output at the same time) and continue
their practice of consecutive interpreting; in addition, students will also
learn about the different technologies and remote interpreting platforms
that professional medical interpreters use. Students will work from English
into Spanish and Spanish into English. All source materials will be medical
in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 372.
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA374 - Medical Interpreting IV: Practice & The Profession
An advanced level course building on the skills developed in the previous
courses for the complex field of medical interpreting. The fourth of four
courses, students will consolidate their skills of sight-translation,
consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting as they prepare for
certification exams; in addition, students will also learn about the
intricacies and challenges of working as a professional, certified medical
interpreter. Students will work from English into Spanish and Spanish into
English. All source materials will be medical in nature.
Prerequisite: SPA 373.
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA375 - Advanced Spanish Translation
An advanced level course, in which students will consolidate their skills in
translation. Students will learn how to improve on earlier translations
(either from their own translations or from others) as they target their
translations for specific audiences. Course material will come from a broad
array of religious, scientific, political and sociocultural sources, as well
as materials stemming from community needs. Students will translate from
English into Spanish.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of either SPA361 & SPA362, Legal
Interpreting I & II, or SPA371 & SPA372, Medical Interpreting I & II, or
permission by instructor.
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
SPA376 - Study Abroad Cross-Cultural Preparation
Lack of cross-cultural competence and sensitivity is a prominent cause of
much frustration and anger between visitors to a country and the individuals
living in that country. In preparation for their semester study abroad, in
this course students will learn common cross-cultural skills and become
aware of the joys and challenges they will face in those months. They will
also spend time learning about the country in which they will be studying so
they are well-versed in the basic historical, political, economic, social
and cultural issues that country has dealt with and is dealing with. Prerequisite: Acceptance into a study abroad program approved by
Northwestern College for Spanish majors. (1 credit)
SPA377 - Enhancing the Study Abroad Experience
Semester study abroad trips have two interweaving tracks: the external
experience, where we encounter the new world in which we are living, and the
internal experience, where we visit new places with ourselves. Writing a
journal affords the student the opportunity to wrap these two journeys
together and end up with a vibrant account of his/her experience - a
keepsake that helps him/her remember and learn from the semester study
abroad. Thus, a travel journal is the ultimate souvenir. To complete the
requirements for this course, students will write a journal during their
semester study abroad experience as well as write a final essay reflecting
on both the semester abroad and their entire foreign-language collegiate
experience. Prerequisite: Acceptance into a study abroad program approved by
Northwestern College for Spanish majors. (1 credit)
SPA395 - New T & I Course for FA21
SPA396 - New T & I Course for FA21
SPA398 - Directed Study
SPA417 - Internship
(2 credits may apply toward the major or minor)
TSL222 - Practicum in TESL
Designed primarily for students who plan to teach English as a second language but who are not part of the TESL endorsement, this practicum places TESL minor students in an ESL teaching setting, primarily with recent immigrants in Sioux County. Students teach ESL to immigrants, either on a one-to-one basis or with small groups. Prerequisite: 201 proficiency in a foreign language, TSL307 or permission of instructor. (2 credits)
TSL224 - Applied Linguistics in Language Education
The course is a survey of key issues in socio-and applied linguistic inquiry on case studies of topics such as the nature of language, bilingualism and bilingual education as well as language planning and language policy. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
TSL225 - Language Development and Acquisition
This course will examine the similarities and differences between the acquisition of first and second languages. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
TSL307 - Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language
Study of the unique problems and opportunities in teaching English to classes made up of individuals from heterogeneous language backgrounds. Discussion of recent research, methodology and grammar concepts unique to ESL. Prerequisite: one year of a foreign language or permission of instructor. (3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
