Spanish (SPAN)

Subject-area course lists indicate courses currently active for offering at the University of Louisville. Not all courses are scheduled in any given academic term. For class offerings in a specific semester, refer to the Schedule of Classes.

500-level courses generally are included in both the undergraduate- and graduate-level course listings; however, specific course/section offerings may vary between semesters. Students are responsible for ensuring that they enroll in courses that are applicable to their particular academic programs.

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.


SPAN 500. Spanish Study Abroad1-15 Units

Prerequisite(s): Membership in a University of Louisville Language Study Abroad Program or a program approved by the department.

Description: Credit awarded upon demonstration of successful completion of program undertaken with prior approval of the department, including a paper or project and an oral or written examination in the language and culture, administered under the supervision of a faculty member.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 511. Studies in Spanish Medieval Literature3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311, SPAN 321, SPAN 400.

Description: Special studies in the original language of selected works from the medieval period.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 513. Studies in Spanish Golden Age Literature3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311, SPAN 321, SPAN 400.

Description: Intensive study of significant works of the Spanish Golden Age.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 516. Literary Influences in Nineteenth-Century Spanish3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311, SPAN 321, SPAN 400.

Description: Study of significant writers of the Spanish Romantic, Realistic, and Naturalistic periods.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 518. Studies in Twentieth-Century Literature of Spain3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311, SPAN 321, SPAN 400.

Description: Study in depth of significant works of the Post-Civil War period.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 524. Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311 and SPAN 321; or SPAN 325 and SPAN 335; or score of 400 on the Spanish Heritage Language Test.

Description: Introduction to basic linguistic concepts, exploration of communicative strategies, and investigation of Hispanic culture and dialectology.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 527. Latin American Literature: Colonial Period through 19th Century3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 355, SPAN 403, or SPAN 404, or consent of instructor.

Description: Study of significant literary works from the Colonial Period through 19th century.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 528. Contemporary Spanish-American Theatre3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 355, SPAN 403, or SPAN 404, or consent of instructor.

Description: Major trends and authors in Spanish-American theatre since c. 1950. Critical methodology for theatre.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 529. Spanish-American Poetry3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 355, SPAN 403, or SPAN 404, or consent of instructor.

Description: Selected Spanish-American poets, movements and national traditions. Critical methodological theory.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 530. Spanish-American Narrative3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 355, SPAN 403 or SPAN 404 or consent of instructor.

Description: Selected Spanish-American novelists and short story writers, movements and national traditions. Critical methodological theory.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 544. Advanced Grammar and Stylistics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311 and SPAN 321 (or SPAN 325 and SPAN 335); and 6 hours at the 400 level; or consent of instructor.

Description: An intensive review of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar (including prepositions, subjunctive, conditional sentences, relative clauses, spelling, punctuation); a reflection on the nature and functions of written language; and a hands-on-workshop on achieving clarity and grace in written texts.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 554. Hispanic Culture through Film and Media3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 401, SPAN 402, SPAN 403, or SPAN 404; or consent of instructor; admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Study of specific/selected issues focusing on the Hispanic cultural milieu; its multiracial values and means of communication as manifested in the visual and print media (film, television, newspapers, documentaries, etc.)

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 561. Independent Study1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of department.

Description: Independent study in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 570. Intro to Interpreting3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall Only

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 311 and SPAN 321 (or SPAN 325 and SPAN 335); and 6 hours at the 400 level; or consent of instructor.

Description: Provides an overview of the theoretical and practical foundations of Interpreting in community settings, including legal, health, education and social settings; intensive practice in consecutive interpreting, sight translation and basic simultaneous interpreting.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 599. Special Topics3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

Description: Topics of a unique or specialized nature in Spanish language, literature or culture.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 611. Introduction to Methods and Research in Hispanic Studies3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to Spanish MA program.

Description: An introduction to graduate studies in Spanish. Emphasis on critical approaches to Hispanic studies,scholarly writing in Spanish,and research methods using print and electronic resources.

Note: This course must be taken within the first 18 credit hours of graduate studies.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 620. Teaching College Spanish3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and permission of the graduate director; SPAN 524.

Description: An introduction to the teaching of Spanish at the college level. Limited to Graduate Teaching Assistants in Spanish.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 621. History of the Spanish Language3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Evolution of the Spanish language from earliest times to present. Linguistic analysis of representative literary and non-literary texts.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 624. Special Topics in Hispanic Linguistics3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Intensive study of a particular topic relating to language use and/or interaction (e.g., Semiotics, sociopragmatics, discourse analysis, classroom interaction, language pedagogy).

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 634. Spanish for the Workplace and the Community3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Development of skills and vocabulary necessary for the workplace. Emphasis on Spanish for special purposes/professions.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 644. Approaches to Hispanic Literature3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Practice in literary criticism through intensive study of a particular genre, period, or national tradition.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 648. Hispanic Cultural Studies3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to Spanish MA program.

Description: Study of the social construction of values, ideas, and belief systems in the Hispanic world.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 661. Foundations of Translation and Interpreting3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program or Graduate Certificate in Translation program.

Description: Provides a theoretical background to the field of intercultural communication in its written and oral modalities. Introduces skills necessary for active practice in the main subfields of the profession. Requires reflection on ethical and cultural implication in the field.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 661.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 662. Education and Social Service Interpreting3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 661/TRPR 661 or consent of instructor.

Description: Explores the educational and social service interpreting settings; provides intensive practice in consecutive interpreting and sight translation at the intermediate-advanced level.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 662.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 663. Legal Translation and Interpreting3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 661/TRPR 661 or consent of instructor.

Description: Covers the fundamentals of legal translation and court interpretation in English and Spanish. Specific topics include legal language and terminology; legal text genres (birth certificates, academic transcripts, court proceedings and testimony); and translation and interpreting theories.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 663.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 664. Literary and Cultural Translation3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 661 or TRPR 661; and SPAN 662 or TRPR 662; or consent of instructor.

Description: Exploration of the theoretical underpinnings of translation and culture, followed by work on practical matters of literary translation in a workshop setting.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 664.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 665. Medical Translation and Interpreting3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 661/TRPR 661 or consent of instructor.

Description: Covers the fundamentals of medical translation and interpreting. Specific topics include scientific language and terminology; basic medical concepts; technical and medical text genres (informed consent, clinical studies, instruction manuals, clinical interviews in various settings); and translation and interpreting theories.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 665.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 667. Computers in Translation3 Units

Prerequisite(s): SPAN 661/TRPR 661 or consent of instructor.

Description: Provides intensive practice in applying tools and techniques of computer-assisted translation (localization; terminology, translation memory and project management) to the translation of a variety of text types (video games, medical texts, technical documentation, etc.).

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 667.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 668. Directed Study Project3 Units

Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and approval of the chair or graduate advisor.

Description: A directed study project involving investigations, interpretation, and application culminating in a non-thesis alternative.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 669. Final Translation and Interpreting Project3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Completion of at least 9 graduate hours in the translation and interpreting curriculum.

Description: The student will work on an extensive translation of interpreting project in order to demonstrate mastery of the basic linguistic and technical skills in the field.

Note: Cross-listed with TRPR 669.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 670. Special Topics3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Spanish MA program.

Description: Selected topics in Spanish language, literature, or culture. Topics chosen will reflect the needs of the students and the background of the instructor.

Note: May be repeated under different subtitles.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 680. Independent Study1-3 Units

Prerequisite(s): Consent of the department.

Description: Independent study in areas not covered in the regular graduate curriculum.

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes

SPAN 690. Thesis3-6 Units

For class offerings for a specific term, refer to the Schedule of Classes