This is an archived copy of the 2010-2011 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Spanish

The International Languages Department offers courses that provide the foundation for Spanish language study. They also satisfy either the humanities requirement for general education or the proficiency requirement in an international language when required for transfer. A bachelor's degree in an international language such as Spanish can lead to a career in advertising, broadcasting, consulting, translating, teaching, international service, public relations, social work, and sales.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Lilia Vidal

Dean: Dana Smith

www.miracosta.edu/SPAN

Department: International Languages

Office: Building 4600, (760) 795-6873

Full-Time Faculty

Francisco Alvarez
Rosa E. Arceo
David Detwiler
Pilar Hernandez
Sergio Ochoa Carlos
Lilia Vidal

Associate Degree

Associate in Arts Degree

Spanish

The Spanish Program offers lower-division preparation for students who plan on transferring to pursue a bachelor's degree in Spanish. Students planning to transfer and/or earn this associate degree may also need to complete additional requirements or electives required by the transfer institution, as many CSUs and UCs have unique admissions and preparation-for-the-major requirements. Students should meet with a MiraCosta College counselor to identify required courses and to develop a written plan for their targeted university.

Required courses:

Required courses: 
One of the following sequences:6-7
Intermediate Spanish (Fourth Semester)
   and Intermediate Conversation and Reading
Spanish for Native Speakers
   and Advanced Composition: Hispanic Film and Literature
Select at least 12 elective units from the following:12
History of the Americas
History of the Americas
History of the Mexican-American in the United States
History of the Mexican-American in the United States
History of Mexico
Elementary Spanish (First Semester)
Elementary Spanish (Second Semester)
Intermediate Spanish (Third Semester)
Intermediate Spanish (Fourth Semester)
Spanish for Native Speakers
Advanced Composition: Hispanic Film and Literature
Intermediate Conversation and Reading
Intermediate Conversation and Writing
Total Units18-19

Note: Students educated in a non-English speaking country through high school or equivalent will generally not earn lower-division transfer credit in their language at most universities. Consult a counselor and/or the International Languages Department Chair before enrolling in the above-listed courses.

Certificate

Certificate of Proficiency

Career Spanish for Medical Personnel

This certificate provides students in the health care field the language skills necessary to communicate on a professional level with Spanish-speaking people. Students should take one course through the International Study Abroad Program, if possible. No more than 4 units of course work for this certificate may be earned through credit by exam (see "Credit by Institutional Examination" in this catalog). After completion of all course work for the certificate, students must take an evaluative (non-graded) Spanish oral proficiency exam.

Required courses:

Required courses: 
SPAN 160Spanish for Health Care Providers I1.5
SPAN 161Spanish for Health Care Providers II1.5
Select one option from below:3-8
Elementary Spanish (First Semester)
   and Elementary Spanish (Second Semester)
Spanish for Native Speakers
Select 3 to 4 elective units from the following:3-4
Intermediate Spanish (Third Semester)
Intermediate Spanish (Fourth Semester)
Intermediate Conversation and Reading
Intermediate Conversation and Writing
Total Units9-15

SPAN 101 is the equivalent of the first two years of high school Spanish. SPAN 102 is the equivalent of the third year of high school Spanish. For native speakers of Spanish, SPAN 203 may be taken instead of the SPAN 101–102 sequence.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

SPAN 101: Elementary Spanish (First Semester)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with prior credit in SPAN 102, SPAN 201, SPAN 202, or SPAN 203.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This introductory course develops Spanish language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It covers basic Spanish pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. It also explores the history, geography, and customs of the Spanish-speaking world. This course corresponds to the first two years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 102: Elementary Spanish (Second Semester)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or two years of high school Spanish with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in SPAN 201, SPAN 202, or SPAN 203.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course continues to develop Spanish language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in SPAN 101, and it develops the student's ability to engage in casual conversation, express opinions, and make suggestions in Spanish. The course also provides for increased awareness of the Spanish-speaking world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts. This course corresponds to the third year of high school Spanish.

SPAN 152: Beginning Conversation

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 3 hours. (1105.00)

Designed for those who want to learn basic Spanish for everyday contact with Spanish-speaking people. Course emphasizes oral communication and covers the fundamentals of grammar and vocabulary. Intended to develop basic skills in Spanish.

SPAN 160: Spanish for Health Care Providers I

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: None
Lecture 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course provides students in the health care fields with the basic language skills needed for daily interactions with Spanish-speaking patients in a variety of situations. The course introduces basic Spanish grammar and vocabulary needed by medical personnel (body parts, organs, systems, common diseases and symptoms, etc.). The course emphasizes the development of effective cross-cultural communication skills. Other topics include greetings with cultural and medical protocols, getting to know the patient, assisting in the taking of preliminary medical histories, assisting in patient assessment and treatment, etc. This course is designed for beginners as well as for those with some speaking proficiency in Spanish.

SPAN 161: Spanish for Health Care Providers II

Units: 1.5
Prerequisites: SPAN 160.
Lecture 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course provides students with more basic language skills needed for daily interactions with Spanish-speaking patients. The course emphasizes the development of effective cross-cultural communication skills. Topics include nutrition, preventive care, physical care and rehabilitation, pediatrics, surgery, drug abuse. This course is designed for beginners as well as for those with some speaking proficiency in Spanish.

SPAN 201: Intermediate Spanish (Third Semester)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or three years of high school Spanish with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in SPAN 202 or SPAN 203.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course continues to develop Spanish language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in SPAN 101 and 102, and it develops the student's ability to engage in casual conversation, express opinions, and make suggestions in Spanish. The course also provides for increased awareness of the Spanish-speaking world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts. This course corresponds to the fourth year of high school Spanish. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for SPAN 201 or 203.

SPAN 202: Intermediate Spanish (Fourth Semester)

Units: 4
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or four years of high school Spanish with a C or better.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in SPAN 203.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course continues to develop Spanish language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It reviews and expands upon the vocabulary and grammatical structures introduced in SPAN 201. It also develops the student's ability to express opinions and make recommendations in Spanish-language debates and discussions. The course provides for increased awareness of the Spanish-speaking world's history, geography, and customs, including its socio-political practices and cultural artifacts, through extensive reading and writing assignments as well as oral presentations.

SPAN 203: Spanish for Native Speakers

Units: 3
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 with a C or better or four years of high school Spanish with a C or better.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 2.50 hours, laboratory 1.50 hours. (1105.00)

This course helps students with a Spanish-speaking background improve several aspects of their writing: orthography (spelling), the use of written accents, punctuation, structuring of paragraphs, and longer compositions. Students also learn about regional variations in standard Spanish, Spanglish and code-switching, and the relationship between language and cultural identity. The course involves extended readings on Hispanic cultures and literature as well as the writing of essays. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for SPAN 201 or 203.

SPAN 205: Advanced Composition: Hispanic Film and Literature

Units: 3
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or SPAN 203 or equivalent.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 1 hour. (1105.00)

Course emphasizes essay writing in Spanish with particular attention to the process of writing. Students will complete compositions and other written assignments based on Spanish-language films and assigned readings. Course is intended to prepare students for upper-division Spanish courses.

SPAN 210: Intermediate Conversation and Reading

Units: 3
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 with a C or better or third year of high school Spanish with a C or better.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1105.00)

This course stresses oral communication and reading comprehension through cultural materials in order to improve and expand the student's conversational skills in the language. Emphasis is placed upon practical topics, fundamental and expanded vocabulary, and commonly used idioms. Students learn to employ Spanish in general discussions of assigned topics and simple dialogues. Some grammar is reviewed.

SPAN 211: Intermediate Conversation and Writing

Units: 3
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or SPAN 210 or four years of high school Spanish.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (1105.00)

This course continues emphasis on conversation at a more advanced level. Discussion centers on topics involving practical use of the language but also deals with more abstract concepts. Readings in Spanish and Spanish-language films are used to stimulate discussion as well as original compositions. Review of difficult points of grammar.

SPAN 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: Complete 6 units at MCC prior to internship; permission of instructor and department chair required.
Corequisite: Must currently be enrolled in 3 units and complete 60 hours of non-paid or 75 hours of paid work per unit of credit.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
(1105.00)

Individualized study linking classroom learning to the workplace. Approval form must be signed by instructor and department chair before registration. (May be taken for a total of 12 units.)

SPAN 293: Topics in Spanish

Units: 1-6
Prerequisites: None
Repeatability Rule: Allow four completions in any combination of SPAN 293, SPAN 296.
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Lecture 4 hours.
Lecture 5 hours.
Lecture 6 hours. (1105.00)

A study of relevant topics in the discipline not covered in the current selection of courses. Designed to meet special needs; content determined by participating faculty members in consultation with students and the community. Non-transfer topics only.

SPAN 296: Topics in Spanish

Units: 1-6
Prerequisites: None
Repeatability Rule: Allow four completions in any combination of SPAN 293, SPAN 296.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours.
Lecture 4 hours.
Lecture 5 hours.
Lecture 6 hours. (1105.00)

The course content will vary each time it is offered, typically containing various areas of Spanish language/literature/culture. The location in which this course is offered will dictate the content emphasis. Course may be a part of the International Education Program offered at different locations in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America. The schedule of classes will provide details.

SPAN 298: Directed Studies in Spanish

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department chair.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours.
Laboratory 6 hours.
Laboratory 9 hours. (1105.00)

Individualized study, project, or research in area of particular interest to the student and not included in the regular courses of the college. Approval form must be signed by instructor and department chair before registration.

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