Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
WLS 101 - Elementary Spanish 1
(4 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Development of communication skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in Spanish. Emphasis on the practice of vocabulary and grammatical structures in meaningful communicative tasks and authentic cultural contexts. Laboratory included. First course in three-course sequence.
WLS 102 - Elementary Spanish 2
(4 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Continued emphasis on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Focus on the practice of vocabulary and grammatical structures in meaningful communicative tasks and authentic cultural contexts. Laboratory included. Second course in three-course sequence. Prerequisite: WLS 101 or equivalent
WLS 131 - Introduction to Spanish for Healthcare
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Introduces students to specialized vocabulary, functional grammar, and cultural concepts to facilitate effective communication in various medical settings at a basic level. Students will apply this material in interactive classroom activities focusing on oral and listening skills. This course will also examine cultural issues relating to healthcare to enhance understanding and communication between healthcare providers and patients. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required for this course. Prerequisite:
WLS 201 - Intermediate Spanish 1
(4 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Further refinement of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in meaningful communicative tasks and authentic cultural contexts. Oral and written practice closely linked to cultural and literary readings and videos. Laboratory included. Third course in three-course sequence. Prerequisite: WLS 102 or equivalent.
WLS 202 - Intermediate Spanish 2
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP WC
A transition course between elementary language and advanced content courses. Emphasis on contemporary culture with an increased focus on reading and writing. Continuation and refinement of grammatical structures and vocabulary as well as the development of speaking and listening skills in a content-based classroom. Prerequisite: WLS 201 or equivalent.
WLS 222 - Spanish for Heritage Speakers
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP WC
Provides an overview of language, social and cultural themes, and literature from the Spanish-speaking world for Heritage speakers of Spanish. Students will develop their writing and critical thinking abilities by reading, analyzing, and responding to texts while also working on common grammar and spelling issues. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
WLS 232 - Introduction to Spanish for Social Work
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Introduces students to specialized vocabulary, grammar, and cultural concepts to facilitate essential communication between social workers and Spanish-speaking clients. Instruction focuses on conversational skills to perform everyday professional tasks such as gathering information, explaining the role of the social worker, and providing information on community services.
WLS 303 - Composition
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Emphasis on improving written proficiency. Thorough grammar review, translation exercises, and writing various types of prose. Emphasis on correct, idiomatic use of Spanish in everyday situations. Prerequisite: WLS 202 or WLS 222 or equivalent
WLS 304 - Conversation
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Emphasis on improving speaking proficiency and listening comprehension through free conversation and oral presentations. Emphasis on correct, idiomatic use of Spanish in everyday situations. This course is designed for non-native and non-near-native speakers. Students with native or near-native proficiency may not take this course. See department for details. Prerequisite: WLS 202 or equivalent
WLS 305 - Peru Interim: Andean Cultures
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Exposes students to Peruvian culture with a two-week stay in Peru. Focuses on the different cultural aspects of Peruvian art, history, architecture, politics, and economics. An emphasis on Peruvian history and sociopolitical changes of the last 50 years will be an important element in the course so students will understand the world they will be immersed in for two weeks. During their stay in Peru students will visit numerous museums, churches, archaeological and historical sites as well as cultural and artistic centers. Prerequisite: WLS 303 and 304, or consent of instructor.
WLS 306 - Topics in Spanish History and Culture
(3-9 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Exposes students to Spanish culture with a two-week stay in Spain. Students primarily study the development of the Spanish transition to democracy after forty years of dictatorship, and different aspects of the contemporary Spanish civilization, and culture. To achieve this goal students will learn about Spanish history, politics, culture, and social changes. The site will change between major cities such as: Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Bilbao, San Sebastian, etc. Topics may vary each time the course is offered. Students can retake this course for additional credit as long as the content of the course has changed. Prerequisite: WLS 303 and 304, or consent of instructor.
WLS 307 - Costa Rica Interim: A Contemporary Perspective
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Provides students with an overview of different aspects of contemporary Costa Rican society within a historical framework. Topics such as geography, pre-Columbian cultures, colonization, independence, immigration, the economy, politics, health care, education, and language and culture will be covered. During the two weeks in Costa Rica, students will visit numerous museums, churches, historical sites, and national parks. Prerequisite: WLS 303 and 304, or permission of instructor.
WLS 315 - Introduction to Hispanic Literature
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. HL
Core Curr. HU
Elements, techniques, and forms of Hispanic fiction, drama, and poetry. Readings in Peninsular and Spanish American literature. Prerequisite: WLS 303, 304; or consent of instructor.
WLS 316 - Topics in Hispanic Language and Literature
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for maximum of 9 hrs. credit. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 320 - Spanish Phonetics
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Spanish phonetic elements in isolation as well as in normal speech patterns. Practice in correct pronunciation of individual sounds, words, phrases, and sentences. Individual and class work with tape recordings. Prerequisite: WLS 303 or consent of instructor.
WLS 321 - Peninsular Spanish Civilization and Culture
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP WC
An integrated survey of civilization and culture of the Iberian Peninsula from prehistoric times to the present. Survey concentrates on Spanish arts and intellectual achievements. Prerequisite: WLS 303 or consent of instructor
WLS 322 - Latin-American Civilization and Culture
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP WC
An integrated survey of Latin-American civilization and culture from pre-Columbian times to the present. Survey concentrates on Latin-American arts and intellectual achievements. Prerequisite: WLS 303 or consent of instructor.
WLS 330 - Hispanic Cultural History
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Study of a specific period in the history of the Hispanic world that showcased an intense amount of cultural productivity. Topics may vary each time the course is offered, and examples of historical periods might be the Generation of 1898 in Spain, the Dirty War period of Argentina's dictatorship, the Mexican Revolution of 1910, etc. Students will have the opportunity to examine how the social, political, and historical events of a determined era helped create cultural activity that has had an effect on the Hispanic world since. Students can retake this course for additional credit as long as the content of the course has changed. Prerequisite: WLS 303 or consent of instructor.
WLS 331 - Spanish for Healthcare Professionals
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Provides students with specialized vocabulary, functional grammar, and cultural information to facilitate effective communication in different medical contexts. Students will apply the material in interactive classroom activities, as well as in community service experiences. Class activities involving videos, podcasts, and articles in Spanish will further develop listening and reading comprehension skills. This course will also examine cultural issues relating to healthcare to enhance understanding and communication between healthcare providers and patients. Prerequisite: WLS 202, WLS 222, or equivalent. Students who have taken WLS 131 or 301 may not take this course.
WLS 334 - Commercial Spanish
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. GP GS
Introduction to language skills for commercial communication and Hispanic business practices. Prerequisite: WLS 303, 304; or consent of instructor.
WLS 340 - Spanish Literature I
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. HL
Analysis of human values in representing works of major Iberian writers of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor. WLS 321 recommended.
WLS 341 - Spanish Literature II
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Values-based analysis of representative works of major Iberian authors from Neo-classical, Romantic, and Realist-Naturalist periods. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor; WLS 321, 340 recommended.
WLS 342 - Survey of Hispanic American Literature I
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. NW
Core Curr. GP WC,HU
Analysis of Hispanic-American literature from its roots in the indigenous pre-Columbian civilizations to Modernism. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor. WLS 322 recommended
WLS 343 - Survey of Hispanic American Literature II
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. NW
Core Curr. GP WC,HU
Analysis of non-Western cultures and traditions in representative works by major authors of Hispanic-America from 1910 to present. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor. WLS 322, 342 recommended.
WLS 345 - Women's Voices of Latin America
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Examines how female writers differ from their male counterparts and how they have created a very distinct literary corpus. Emphasizes how history, political events, and social expectations shape literary production. Furthermore, female writers challenge social norms to produce a literature that speaks with a universal and yet very personal voice conveying a Latin American reality to probe the very nature of the human condition. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 346 - Women's Voices of Spain
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Examine how Spanish female writers differ from their male counterparts and how they have created a very distinct literary corpus. This course emphasizes how history, political events and social expectations shape literary production. Furthermore, female writers challenge social norms to produce a literature that speaks with a universal and yet very personal voice conveying a Spanish, and even pan-European, reality to probe the very nature of the human condition. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 347 - Images and Texts in the Hispanic World
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. HL
Compares classical images from Hispanic artists with literary texts that treat the same themes and ideas. Challenges students to consider what exactly constitutes 'text' and all ideas associated with the concept: how do visual images transmit a message and Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 360 - Spanish in the United States
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed. CD
Core Curr. GP WC
Provides an introduction to the varieties of Spanish spoken in the United States as well as the Spanish-speaking communities throughout the United States, including the Southwest, Florida, the Northeast, Louisiana, and the Midwest. Additionally, students will focus on the social issues surrounding the use of Spanish in the United States, such as language attitudes and ideologies, language policy, and bilingualism. Prerequisite: WLS 320, WLL 311, ENG 311, or consent of instructor
WLS 370 - Dialectology
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Introduces undergraduates to the study of dialectology through both theoretical and applied perspectives. Students examine geographical and language contact features that influence language variation, as well as internal and external historical factors. The students will characterize the phonological, morphosyntactic, pragmatic, and lexical differences among Spanish dialects in both Latin America and Spain. Students will receive hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing naturally-occurring language data in written and oral forms. Active participation in class discussions (in Spanish) is both expected and encouraged. Prerequisite: WLS 320, WLL 311, ENG 311, or consent of instructor
WLS 380 - Hispanic American Short Story
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Provides an overview of the Hispanic American short story from its earliest manifestations in the twentieth century to the present day through the reading, discussion, and analysis of literary texts. We will study the development of the short story as a literary genre, examining its specific characteristics and manifestations, its particular themes as well as its cultural and literary contexts. Hispanic American literary production offers a rich body of short stories such as the regionalist short story, fantastic short story, detective short story, and magical realist short story. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 385 - Poetry of Latin America
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Presents a survey of Latin American poetry from the twentieth century to the present. Introduces students to the basics of poem analysis for content, themes, and poetic structure. In addition to the study of versification and aesthetics, emphasis will be placed on the socio-historical context in which the works were produced. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or equivalent.
WLS 401 - Hispanic Cinema: Texts & Contexts
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Uses the techniques of literary and film analysis to focus on the relationship between Hispanic film and literature, as well as other narrative forms such as: personal testimonies, historical documents, documentaries, and media. Students will examine the adaptation of literary texts into films and analyze both works for plot structure. They will also discuss current events portrayed in films and in the media, as well as study themes and cultural and political issues presented in films and narratives. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or equivalent.
WLS 402 - Introduction to Sociolinguistics
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Introduces undergraduates to the study of linguistic variation in the Spanish language. Students will study geographical and social factors in language variation, and phonological and syntactic variation. Examines specific cases of variation and change in present-day Spanish dialects in both Latin America and Spain, as well as language contact between Spanish and other languages. Students will receive hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing naturally-occurring language data. Active participation in class discussions (in Spanish) is both expected and encouraged. Prerequisite: WLS 320, WLL 311, ENG 311, or consent of instructor
WLS 403 - Advanced Conversation & Composition
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI
Advanced course in speaking and writing. Prerequisite: WLS 303; WLS 304; 3 additional credits of WLS at the 300 level or above
WLS 410 - Life from the Bottom of the World: the Culture of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Examines the countries in the Southern Cone of Latin America (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay) from a cultural, literary and political point of view. Exposes students to the music, literature, film, testimonials, and art from this part of the Americas in order to gain a better understanding of its social realities. In addition to the discussion of contemporary issues, the course will also cover much of the history of these countries in order to provide a context for the included readings. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 425 - Contemporary Hispanic American Novels
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Through the study, research, and discussion of a variety of novels the students gain an insight into the most important features of Latin American culture, and circumstances faced by its people. The students read works of recognized writers including Nobel prize winners such as: Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa. Includes political writings, gender issues, reflections of historical periods, and social commentaries. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 430 - Introduction to Translation
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Methods and procedures for translating from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish, with particular focus on specific problems of translation and how to deal with them in short practical exercises. The course will include the translation of technical, business, legal, medical, and literary texts. Prerequisite: WLS 315
WLS 440 - Historical Memory in Post Franco Spain
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
An examination of Spanish culture, literature, history and politics from the beginning of the Spanish Civil War to the transition to democracy. The goal of the course is to enrich student knowledge of this important period in Spain through documentaries, television programs, music, films and literature, so they will be able to learn about Spanish history, culture and literature. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 490 - Topics in Hispanic Language and Literature
(3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hrs. credit. Prerequisite: WLS 315 or consent of instructor
WLS 492 - Practicum in Spanish
(1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Supervised work study in community service activities involving use of the foreign language. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: consent of department chair.
WLS 495 - Independent Study
(1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Independent study and research in a specific field or phase of Spanish language or literary production. May be repeated for maximum of 6 hrs. credit. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; consent of department chair.
The Bradley Core Curriculum exposes all students to the requisite range of knowledge, skills and perspectives that prepares them for further learning and guides them on the path of continued growth to facilitate their success and fulfillment in a changing, complex world. In essence, the Bradley Core Curriculum lays the foundation for a lifetime of intellectual development.
More specifically, the Bradley Core Curriculum advances Lydia Moss Bradley’s intent that the university “furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life,” by equipping them with a common set of attributes, understandings and tools to:
Core Learning Outcomes
The Bradley Core Curriculum was designed to help students achieve specific Core Learning Outcomes that span all aspects of the program.
Core Values
The Bradley Core Curriculum is grounded in a set of fundamental perspectives, Core Values, that lie at the heart of the university's scholarly enterprise.
Bradley’s Spanish minor enhances your understanding of another culture, language and global issues.
The Spanish minor introduces you to the language, cultures and literature of the Spanish-speaking world. Courses give you practice speaking and writing the language while you explore culture, literature and film. Beyond the classroom, you can participate in conversation tables, the Spanish Club, and the Global Scholars program on campus or travel abroad through Bradley’s multiple short-term and semester-long study abroad programs. The minor is open to all students, and is often paired with majors such as business, communication, psychology, sociology, international studies and other foreign languages.
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