Spanish

A UNIQUE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
The Spanish major at Loras College is designed to foster the development of practical and applied language skills and cultural competence. Our curriculum combines a communicative language teaching approach with local and international immersive experiences.

• All Spanish courses at Loras prioritize effective communication in the target language, thus preparing students for real-world interactions in both personal and professional contexts.
• We offer courses on Spanish in the professions for students to enhance their career options by acquiring Spanish for criminal justice, health, and social services.
• Our curriculum allows for community-based learning throughout the major, engaging students with Spanish-speaking populations across Iowa and within the city of Dubuque.

A DISTINCTIVE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE
Semester study abroad options are available to Spain and Argentina. International January-Term courses are offered on a regular basis to Europe and Latin America.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

• Earn 12 credits toward the Spanish major
• Participate in a home-stay with a family in Santiago
• Complete an internship in an area of academic interest such biomedical sciences, international studies, public relations, education, psychology, media studies, politics and criminal justice.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Earn 12 credits toward the Spanish major
• Participate in a home-stay with an family in Buenos Aires
• Engage in community-based learning projects with the Universidad Católica de Argentina

January Term Courses

• El Camino de Santiago
  Students hike the oldest pilgrimage route in Europe while learning about immigration and human movement across Spain. While on the Camino de Santiago students engage in an immersive experience that explores the cultural meaning of St. James the Apostle through ancient symbols and modern commodities. The course culminates in the city of Santiago de Compostela where the concept of pilgrimage is fundamental to urban identity.
• Remembering the Disappeared
  During this travel course to Buenos Aires students explore the Argentine capital to understand how modern urban space reflects a violent military history. While in Buenos Aires, students visit neighborhoods, memorials, parks, and tourist sites that either aim to protect or diminish the memory of the victims of state terror.  During their two weeks in country, students consider the ways in which present-day Buenos Aires is defined by the responses of government, the families of survivors, and the Church to state terror.

SPANISH PROGRAM COMPONENTS: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The Loras Spanish program views cultural competency and community engagement as essential components of the language learning process. We are, therefore, focused on creating partnerships and fostering student engagement with the Spanish-speaking community in Dubuque.

In our program, students learn that community engagement does not simply mean service. We educate our students about issues of cultural competency and then ask that they apply these skills in a community setting.

Given these values, community-based learning permeates our program from initial courses to the senior capstone.  In Spanish 210 students have attended Spanish mass and other community events and then reflected on what was learned from the experience. Upper level students have engaged in a project that examines the assets of the Hispanic community in Dubuque and, then, uses these resources to suggest long-term community improvement plans.

El Camino de Santiago
This study away course is misty stone trails through the same green lands that legend says St. James the Elder traveled during and after life. We will follow the Route from Portugal to Santiago. Into this same time and place we will weave the theme of modern human migrations across the Galician landscape, learning the emigrant/immigrant history of recent years. How do the modern American pilgrim and the modern African immigrant move through this landscape; how are they received by the inhabitants of the place? Throughout the trip we will investigate the efforts of Cáritas Diocesana. On the Camino, we will be walking about 15 miles/day, maybe more..

La Frontera
This bilingual version of the advanced general education course, “The Latino Experience in the US-AC”, focuses on “la frontera,” the areas along the border between the U.S. and Mexico and includes a travel component to Arizona, U.S. and Sonora, Mexico. In this course, we will explore the history of both the U.S. and Mexico and the cultural, economic, linguistic, political and social contexts of this globally unique region.

El Mundo Hispano
This course examines the Spanish-speaking countries and cultures on both sides of the Atlantic from earlier centuries to modern times. Students will enhance their knowledge of persons and events and develop intercultural perspectives.

Topics in Culture & Civilization
In-depth study of a particular issue or area of cultural studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. Possible topics may include the Spanish Civil War, the Inquisition, Evita Perlin, the Virgin of Guadalupe, music of Latin America and its influence in popular American culture. Course may be repeated for credit.

View Spanish Courses

SPANISH
Division of Language & Literature
Kate McCarthy-Gilmore, Ph.D., Chair

Requirements for the major in Spanish (B.A.):

Study Away Programs
Study in another country is a vital component of the language student’s college experience. There are many opportunities for Loras students to study outside the U.S. for a semester, a summer or a full academic year. Such study greatly enhances a student’s skills in the target language and brings the student into direct contact with another country’s culture(s).

Major Requirements for Spanish (B.A.)
Minor Requirements for Spanish