Piet J. Koene Professor of Spanish, Translation & Interpreting; Department Chair

SPA311 - Advanced Spanish Conversation

(1 credit) 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: SPA201LA or equivalent proficiency. Note: Taught in Spanish. Course repeated a minimum of 3 terms. Graded on a pass/no pass basis.

SPA327 - Hispanics in the United States

(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) 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. Note: Taught in Spanish.

SPA331 - Introduction to Translation and Interpreting

(3 credits) 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.

SPA332 - Interpreting I

(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) 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.

SPA333 - Interpreting II

(3 credits; alternate years, consult department ) 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.

SPA334 - Interpreting III

(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) 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.

SPA336 - Translation I

(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) 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.

SPA337 - Translation II

(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) 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.

SPA338 - Translation III

(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) 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.

SPA344 - Practicum in Spanish

(2 credits) 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. Note: Minimum 14 week placement to receive credit. Graded on a pass/no pass basis. May be repeated. Up to four credits may be applied to the major.

SPA365 - Special Topics in Language

(2-4 credits) 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.

SPA398 - Directed Study

SPA417 - Internship

(2 credits may apply toward the major or minor)