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SPANISH
LANGUAGE COURSES
SPN-120
GRAMMAR AND CONVERSATION:
BASIC 1: 4 weeks x 20 hours
/ week = 80 hours of LANGUAGE. No previous knowledge of Spanish
is required. The main focus of this level is the development of
oral expression. The student should develop the ability to be
comfortable in simple daily situations. The students that are
at this level shall be exposed in a progressive manner to units
of basic vocabulary and at the same time learn the appropriate
grammatical structures.
SPN-121 GRAMMAR
AND CONVERSATION:
BASIC 2: 4 weeks x 20 hours / week = 80 hours of LANGUAGE.
This course is designed for groups that have taken at least 60
hours of Spanish and have very basic knowledge of the language.
During the four weeks of the course the content is progressively
extended, integrating the development of the four skills with
techniques and specific procedures that promote the student’s
interaction with the Costa Rican surroundings. At the same time
the knowledge that is acquired in the previous module is strengthened.
When the four weeks of study are over the student will be able
to face every day situations easily.
SPN- 200 GRAMMAR
AND CONVERSATION:
INTERMEDIATE 1: 4 weeks x 20 hours / week = 80 hours of
LANGUAGE. This module was designed for students that have a basic
knowledge and proficiency of the language. Dynamic participation
is promoted among the students. It is based on the conversation,
reading and discussion of simple texts. Aside from the use of
more complex vocabulary, the history and use of the personal pronoun
“vos” are introduced.
SPN- 201 GRAMMAR
AND CONVERSATION:
INTERMEDIATE 2: 4 weeks x 20 hours / week = 80 hours of
LANGUAGE. Social and cultural activities are used widely as study
material. Much emphasis is placed on the enrichment of vocabulary
and the management of the language is intensified. The student,
once this module is completed, shall be able to take part of a
simple dialogue and be able to understand the majority of what
is read.
.
SPN-300 GRAMMAR
AND CONVERSATION:
ADVANCED 1: 4 weeks x 20 hours/ week = 80 hours of LANGUAGE.
Oriented towards students that are already able to communicate
in Spanish. The goal is to polish the language through: grammatical
analysis, vocabulary, mannerisms and colloquial expressions. The
reading and composition of complex texts is also included.
SPN 302/301 GRAMMAR
AND CONVERSATION:
ADVANCED 2: 4 weeks x 20 hours / week = 80 hours of LANGUAGE.
Always using the practical and communicational method, this module
deals with more complicated syntactical and morphological aspects.
It is an introductory course to morpholinguistics. Emphasis is
placed on the correct use of written and spoken Spanish. When
this level is completed satisfactorily, the student shall be able
to express his/her ideas fluently in Spanish, written as well
as spoken. In the same way, the student shall have a notion of
the adequate use of nomenclature and the structure of advanced
syntax.
SPN-340 ORAL EXPRESSION
I:
These courses are oriented towards students that already proficient
in the grammatical structure of Spanish, but have an interest
is speaking fluently. The objective of this courses is to develop
skills through lectures and listening with a focus on oral expression.
This course is formatted in lectures, discussion and analysis.
SPN 320 INTRODUCTION
TO CULTURAL HERITAGE AND LITERATURE IN LATIN AMERICA:
An introduction of various relevant topics in the Latin American
culture and how that has translated through literary works. The
focus is primarily on Costa Rica.
SPN-410/401 COMPOSITION
AND RHETORIC:
This course is directed to students that have an advanced knowledge
of the Spanish language and want to improve their writing skills.
The objective of this course is to introduce and develop elements
of rhetoric and composition so that the student improves their
writing style. Students should expect to anlyze the communication
and use of oral expression which will afford them the knowledge
and practice necessary to prepare written texts.
SPN-440 SPANISH
FOR BUSINESS:
(Only offered in March, July, December) 4 weeks x 15 hours / week
= 60 hours
Created for students that are already at an advanced level of
Spanish, this course will familiarize a foreign student with the
Spanish used in the Latin American business world. The technical
language and vocabulary used in the areas of financing, marketing,
production and general administration are studied here. This course
has been structured into thematic units that are developed through
activities such as reading and analysis of articles and experts´
opinions that are published in specialized magazines. Each specific
area is covered with situations or “mini – cases”
that need to be solved, thus promoting the development of written
and oral skills, applied to Business Administration. The students
carry out case studies and visit different national companies.
BACK TO THE TOP
ELECTIVES
TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
Business and Communications
COMM 200: INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
(48 hours) An overview of the field of Intercultural Communication.
The course examines theoretical aspects of culture and world view,
intercultural contact, entry and reentry processes. Addresses
issues of diversity and commonalities amongst human beings, implications
and applications according to each situation and professional
context. Students will develop skills for intercultural competence.
GEB 350- INTRODUCTION
TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
An overview of cultural environment of international business
and the institutions which affect business today. International
economic, political and trade issues are analyzed in the context
of socioeconomic goals and policies of the nations involved. The
Latin American perspective with regard to the U.S., Asia and Europe
is examined: NAFTA, Merco sur, the EC and other common market
areas and agreements.
ECON 340- INTRODUCTION
TO INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS & LATIN AMERICA
Examines Latin American policies that affect the international
economy, with attention to trade barriers, economic nationalism
and regionalism, international political economy, exchange market
intervention and international transmission of economic perturbations.
Prereqs., ECON 1000, or ECON 2010 and 2020.
MGMT 321- LOGISTICS
MANAGEMENT.
An overview of logistics management areas within the domestic
and international contexts. Examines logistics objectives such
as warehousing, inventory control, transportation, import-export
logistics, etc. Emphasis is given on the importance of legal aspects
in certain logistics areas.
MGMT 303- CRITICAL
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Provides the opportunity to learn about and practice the skills
required for managerial excellence. These skills include leadership,
negotiation, conducting performance appraisals, delegation, effective
communication, interviewing and making hiring decisions and effective
human resource management. Students will learn to develop self-awareness
of strengths and weaknesses gaining familiarity with theory-based
skills.
COMPARATIVE CLASSICAL
PHILOSOPHY
(Taught in Spanish and in English during the summer)
An overview of the history and selected concepts in major eastern
and western classical philosophical movements and systems. Emphasis
on certain topics such as mind-body, knowledge of self and others,
predestination and free will, cause and effect and other fundamental
ideas in classical knowledge.
Art and Humanities
HUM 351- ARTS AND
HUMANITIES: COSTA RICA COLLOQUIUM 3 cr.
A general survey of the complex heritage and social evolution
of Costa Rica, examined through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary
view focusing on the historical development and present day dynamics
of economy, society, polity, natural resources and culture. Special
attention will be given to topics such as cultural background,
identity formation, social development and education the roots
of present day crises, problems of peace and democracy, some artistic
and literary trends, and the emergence and role of old and new
ideological movements. Emphases will be placed upon different
topics during the course, according to students' backgrounds and
expectations.
ETHN 310- SELECTED
TOPICS IN ETHNIC STUDIES
Intensive examination of a particular topic, theme, issue, or
problem concerning the Black presence in Costa Rica and Central
America. Sample offerings could include Central America and ethnic
politics, history and Culture, Blacks in Central American governments,
Contemporary Black literature, History of the Black experience
in Costa Rica.
ARCH 312: HISTORY
AND THEORIES OF LATIN AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE 1: (48 hours)
Survey of architecture and urban design of pre-Columbian and colonial
developments in Latin America.
FINE 161 BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY:
Introduction of techniques and concepts of photography as a form
of art. The emphasis is on photography as a medium of formal expression.
The student must bring the proper adjustable camera. Pre Req.
SPN 202 MUST BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA
Environmental Sciences
ENV 304: INTRODUCTION
TO TROPICAL ECOLOGY
3 credits (48 hours) ENV 3044L: LABORATORY 1 credit (20 hours)
An introductory course to Ecology, the study of the natural environMent
and of the relations of organisms to each other and to their surroundings,
with emphasis on the tropical setting and Costa Rican models of
conservation. Population demography; the physical world, adaptation
and geographic variation of same; interactions, competition, predation.
Community development, biodiversity, biogeography. Students must
enroll in both the lecture course and the laboratory. All field
trips are mandatory.
ENV 319 INTRODUCTION
TO TROPICAL MARINE BIOLOGY
3 credits (48 hours) ENV 3190L: LABORATORY (20 hours) 1 credit
An introduction to the biology and ecology of tropical marine
ecosystems. Studies the balance between ecosystems and human stress
and demands on the constant changing marine environment. Students
must enroll in both the lecture course and the laboratory. All
field trips are mandatory.
ENV 305: ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Offered subject to Enrollment Introduction to the study of major
environmental problems and issues confronting modern society ecosystem
concepts; population patterns and dynamics. Resources, use and
misuse; population and environmental quality. Environmental citizenship
and economic incentives. Costa Rican initiatives and eco-tourism.
ENV 404: SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Offered subject to enrollment An introduction to the natural resources
conservation status in Costa Rica. This course has multidisciplinary
approach to environmental issues that pertain to the new model
of sustainable development by the Costa Rican government. Costa
Rica is well known for its conservation through the National Parks
System, although the new concepts of conservation areas and sustainable
development are as innovative.
BACK TO THE TOP
ELECTIVES
TAUGHT IN SPANISH
COMPARATIVE CLASSICAL
PHILOSOPHY
(Taught in Spanish and in English during the summer)
An overview of the history and selected concepts in major eastern
and western classical philosophical movements and systems. Emphasis
on certain topics such as mind-body, knowledge of self and others,
predestination and free will, cause and effect and other fundamental
ideas in classical knowledge.
SPN 482 INDEPENDENT
STUDIES IN COSTA RICA CULTURE AND REALITY:
(3cr) (Taught in Spanish)
Course of independent research on topics that are prominent to
the country’s culture, development and functioning. The
objective is to guide the student in the research process in order
for he/she to obtain information on some of the topics and events
that are most relevant to Costa Rica, through bibliographic research,
interviews, and tours and visits to institutions.
Literature
SPN 327 SELECTED
READINGS FROM LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE:
Study of authors, literary currents or genre specifics in Latin
American literature. Prominent literary works, authors and genre
particularities are researched in order to introduce the student
to literary projects that have great cultural impact in Latin
America. Prereq. SPN 301 or placement exam
SPN 411- CONTEMPORARY
COSTA RICAN FEMALE WRITERS:
The Study of a representative number of works and topics by female
Costa Rican writers from the XX th. Century… Prereq. SPN
301 or placement exam
SSPN 439- LATIN
AMERICAN FILM AND LITERATURE 4:
The study of the cinematographic production in relation to literature
in Latin America.
SPN 430- MAIN TOPICS
IN LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE:
(48 hours) (Taught in Spanish)
The study of an important topic in Latin American literature.
The professor will be able to chose the topic or focus on studies
for a specific genre or author.
SPN 416- THE REALIST
MOVEMENT IN LATIN AMERICAN NARRATIVES:
(48 hours) (Taught in Spanish )
Selective reading of works and authors that best represent the
Realist movement in Latin America and an analysis of the premises
and expressions of this philosophic literary movement…
SPN 4840 INDEPENDENT
STUDIES IN LITERATURE:
(48 hours) (Taught
in Spanish)
Course of independent research on prominent authors, literary
currents, and genre particularities in Latin America. These independent
studies hold the purpose of guiding the student in the research
process in such a way that he/she may obtain information about
authors and literary movements, through bibliographic research.
Pre req.
SPN 3050 PHONETICS
AND PHONOLOGY
(45 hours) Methods and tools of descriptive linguistics applied
to phonetics and articulation are learnt in the course.
Art
SPN 1161 BASIC
PHOTOGRAPHY
(3 credits) (Taught in Spanish and English)
It introduces techniques and concepts of photography as an art.
Emphasis is placed on photography as a means to achieve formal
and expressive objectives. The student must bring his/her own
adjustable camera. Pre Req. SPN 202 MUST BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA
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