academic info

Fall 2025 course descriptions

For full course syllabi, see CGEE Course Directory

BIO 118 Environmental Biology/Lab: In this course you will analyze some of the most important issues in environmental biology with special emphasis on biodiversity, drawing particularly from examples in Mexico. Students will learn about theoretical and applied issues regarding the ecological framework of tropical America through lectures, required readings, fieldwork/lab work. This course may be used as a substitute to meet the ENV 120 requirement in the ENV major and meets Natural Sciences lab LAF. (No prerequisites.) This course fulfills a Natural Sciences (lab) and Mathematics general education requirement at Augsburg College.

CCS 100: Introduction to Cultural Studies: This course is an introduction to the critical study of cultures and cross-cultural difference. It examines the connections between social relations and the production of meaning. It sets the stage for global citizenship by helping us examine how our intersectional "positions" in the world affect the way we view, interpret, and interact with other cultures. We will also explore many of the same themes addressed in the Intercultural Communication (COM 329) course. Therefore, there will be many joint sessions of these two courses. This is a required course for Spanish and Cross-Cultural Studies majors at Augsburg.

COM 328 Multimedia Communication: Multimedia content is everywhere - good content isn’t. Create content with purpose and add multimedia production to your list of communication skills while studying in central Mexico for one semester. You will explore the elements of effective multimedia communication as you pick up essential skills in using multimedia tools and technologies to reach an audience in informative, engaging, persuasive, and entertaining ways. Through creative and intentional practice, you will engage in video production, audio production, image creation, media writing and editing to create content that is sure to impress and have an impact.

COM 329 Intercultural Communication: This course explores cultural similarities and differences within the many diverse cultures of Mexico and the USA, as well as around the world. Together we will explore common cultural communication patterns, values, norms, behavior, and both verbal and non-verbal codes. We will explore the ways that communication influences and is influenced by culture. In addition, we will consider the impacts that diverse culture values and communication styles have on social justice issues and the negotiation of intercultural conflicts. We will also explore many of the same themes addressed in the Introduction to Cultural Studies (CCS 100) course. Therefore, there will be many joint sessions of these two courses.

COM 415 Diversity and Representation in the Media: This course explores the role that various media, such as film, television, journalism and the internet play in shaping and influencing society, in particular in relation to Mexico. The course will develop students’ ability to interpret, examine and deconstruct media in Mexico and beyond. Through analyzing dominant and alternative representations, texts and stories in contemporary and historical Mexico, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the cultural and political landscape, as well as the importance of applying a critical theoretical lens to understanding diversity and representation in media around the globe.

COM 490 Keystone: Conversations about Communication and Social Change: This course integrates Communication Studies with your overall Augsburg learning experience to facilitate the personal process of applying knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained at Augsburg to everyday life and vocation. Emphasis will be placed on integrating the discipline of Communication Studies with other disciplines in the process of applying theory to practice in ways that are meaningful for you. Guest speakers, excursions, films, class discussion, applied papers, multimedia presentations, and other media artifacts and assignments are used to promote learning.

ENV 320/ Lab: Environmental Science: An introduction to the systematic study of the environment from physical, biological, chemical, and quantitative perspectives with special emphasis on the complex interplay of nonhuman and human systems, drawing particularly from examples in Mexico. You will learn about theoretical and applied issues regarding the environmental framework of tropical America through lectures, required readings, fieldwork, and lab work. Concurrent registration in ENV320L is required. This course is a requirement for the Environmental Studies major and fulfills one of the upper-division elective requirements for the Biology major at Augsburg University.

Prerequisites: 1 of CHM102 (Chemistry for Changing Times), CHM115 (General Chemistry I) or equivalents; 1 of MAT105 (Applied Algebra), MPL (Math Placement Level 3) or equivalents; BIO152 (Evolution, Ecology and Diversity) or equivalent; OR the instructor’s permission.

FLM 251 Mexican Cinema: Past and Present: Watch and examine classic and contemporary Mexican cinema using a critical theory lens, enhanced by readings, guest speakers/filmmakers, and lecture in an online hybrid format. By analyzing Mexican films you will gain an enhanced understanding of race, class, gender, and indigenous representation and factors in contemporary Mexico. You will also develop film and cultural literacy. This course meets the Fine Arts general education requirement at Augsburg. Please note that this course is only being taught as a hybrid online Zoom course.

HIS 388 Topics in Latin American History: Queer Movements in Latin America: Provides a unique opportunity to combine required readings about queer history in Latin America with live interaction with Mexicans and other Latin Americans who have been involved in creating contemporary history in the region. Most of the course will focus on Mexico and its struggles to achieve non-discrimination laws, same sex marriages and a transgender law. The course will also touch upon other areas of LGBT activism and history in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, and Nicaragua.

POL 357/WST 352/SPA 495 (Im)Migration, Gender & Social Change: This course will explore current controversies in transnational migration, with a focus on Mexican-U.S. immigration. We will also explore these controversies and the process of “othering,” primarily through analysis of various discourses of difference and the analysis of movements for social change. We will pay particular attention to issues of race, gender, sexuality, social class, often comparing and contrasting these with how they are represented in the U.S.A. This course meets the Social and Behavioral Sciences general education requirement at Augsburg.

RLN 344/WST 324 Undocumented, Ecofeminist & Queer: Contemporary Latin American Liberation Theologies: In response to Christian participation in the Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Americas and nearly 500 years of political, economic, cultural and religious oppression, Latin American liberation theologies emerged as decolonial theologies within the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s in order to repent of past wrongs and to promote decolonial, liberating forms of Christianity that promote participation in social struggles. In this course we will focus on contemporary decolonial and liberation theologies that foment the liberation of migrants and undocumented people, as well as women, non-binary people, and people who identify as queer. The course meets the Humanities LAF general education requirement at Augsburg, and can also meet the Core Curriculum requirement as a substitute for the REL 200 requirement, although you can only count this course towards ONE of those requirements.

WEL 119: Recreational Wellness: Latin Dance (1 credit): This Lifetime Activity course is designed to help you develop proficiency in diverse forms of Latin Dance. There is no academic credit for this course, but it fulfills the physical fitness graduation requirement at Augsburg College. The course meets for a total of 22 hours over the course of the semester (an average of two hours/week for 11 weeks). The course meets a Lifetime Fitness requirement at Augsburg. All of you are welcome to take this course, whether you want it to appear on your transcript or not.

Internship and Independent Study or Research Options: You may apply to complete an internship and/or independent study. Internships and Independent Study courses may be taken for credit in Spanish or another discipline, as listed below. They tend to be concentrated more heavily during the second half of the semester, after the first Spanish course ends, although that will depend upon your overall course registration. Internship Seminar The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course that involves not only 80-100 hours of work experience and/ or participant observation in a Mexican organization but also participation in a seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development through class discussions and written and oral assignments. All placements are made with agencies that have expressed interest in receiving a student. You are encouraged to focus on meeting the organization’s needs, but given the cultural context, more emphasis is placed on learning from the experience than on accomplishing specific tasks.

You may choose to register for credit in any of the following departments:

American Indian Studies (AIS)
Cross Cultural Studies (CCS)
Environmental Studies (ENV)
History (HIS) 399
Interdisciplinary Studies (INS)
Political Science (POL)
Religion (RLN)
Spanish (SPA)*
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (WST)

*Students seeking Spanish credit must complete all assignments in Spanish. (Prerequisites: SPA 212 or equivalent, internship application, and Spanish reference forms) If you register for the internship, you must complete and submit an internship application in which you list your primary learning objectives for the internship. The application includes a Spanish Reference form to be completed by a Spanish professor indicating that your Spanish is strong enough to successfully complete the internship, as well as a brief phone interview in Spanish . Requests for internships will not be processed unless these forms are submitted on time.

Please note: Students who register for the internship seminar must be willing to travel to their internship sites and to work evenings and weekends, as necessary. The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course and should be treated as such. Students who want to register for Spanish credit, please see the description above with the other Spanish course listings. The Internship application form is available in your Global Gateway account.

Independent Study: Students who are highly independent and self-motivated may conduct independent, field-based research.. You will also meet regularly with an advisor and/or participate in a seminar that explores fieldwork methods and cultural and ethical issues (depending on how many others also complete an independent study). This course option is intended for serious students who want to begin research related to a senior thesis or capstone project. You must submit a preliminary independent study proposal that includes a reading list. You may revise your proposal after arrival in Cuernavaca. However, you MUST bring related books and articles with you to Mexico. If you seek Spanish credit, you must complete all work in Spanish and meet with a Spanish instructor on a regular basis. This is a rigorous academic course that requires preliminary work prior to the start of the semester, as well as great initiative. An independent study proposal form can be found in your Global Gateway.

You may choose to register for credit in any of the following departments:

Cross-Cultural Studies (CCS)
Environmental Studies (ENV)
History (HIS)
Interdisciplinary Studies (INS)
Political Science (POL)
Religion (RLN) Spanish (SPA)
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (WST)

SPANISH COURSES

SPA 111 & 112 Beginning Spanish I & II: Aim to develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish. Introduction to culture of the Spanish-speaking world. (No prerequisite for SPA 111. Placement level determined by placement test or completion of prerequisite for SPA 112.)

SPA 211 & 212 Intermediate Spanish I & II: Through the reading of selected Latin American and Spanish texts that stimulate intellectual growth and promote cultural understanding students review all of the basic structures of Spanish and build conversational skills through class discussions. (Placement level determined by placement test or completion of prerequisites: 112 for 211 and 211 for 212.)

SPA 218 Spanish for Health Care Professionals: This course, which is taught by a Mexican physician, is a basic-intermediate course created to satisfy the needs and expectations of nursing students, physician’s assistants students, pre-med students, public health students, and others health care fields who seek to develop strong speaking and oral comprehension skills with a focus on vocabulary that would be useful in their fields. The main focus will be on developing specialized vocabulary and learning grammar within the context of daily situations relevant to different aspects of health care.

SPA 220 Business Spanish: The primary purpose of this course is to enable intermediate and advanced Spanish language students develop proficiency in the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural competencies necessary to successfully conduct business in Spanish-speaking countries. You will develop an understanding of business and culture in Mexico, as well as in several other Spanish-speaking countries. While learning about similarities and differences in conducting business in Spanish-speaking countries, you will develop the following five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural sensitivity.

SPA 225 & 325 Spanish for Heritage Speakers I & II: This is a course designed specifically to satisfy the needs and expectations of students who speak Spanish as your native language but are unfamiliar with how it works structurally. This course is for you if you grew up hearing Spanish and can communicate your ideas but are lacking a basic knowledge of Spanish grammar and thus feel insecure about writing and/or speaking it. The purpose of the course is to help you gain fluency in your native language and to develop more confidence through study and deep analysis of the language. By the end of the course, you will have mastered areas that you were not sure of before and be able to correct your own errors.

SPA 311 Conversation and Composition: Aims to enrich vocabulary and improve fluency and facility thorough oral and written practice in correct expression. This course is a prerequisite for all upper division courses except for SPA 316. (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent or placement exam.) *SPA 316 Conversations in Cultural Context (*highly recommended) Aims to improve oral fluency through debates, oral reports, and discussion of contemporary issues in Latin America. Uses Latin American films and local newspapers to stimulate discussion and deepen students’ understanding of political, economic, social, and cultural issues in the host country and throughout Latin America. (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent.)

SPA 316: Conversations in Cultural Context: Aims to improve oral fluency through debates, oral reports, and discussion of contemporary issues in Latin America. Uses Latin American films and local newspapers to stimulate discussion and deepen students’ understanding of political, economic, social, and cultural issues in the host country and throughout Latin America. Please note that you do not have to take SPA 311 before taking SPA 316. (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent.)

SPA 334 Contemporary Mexican Literature: This course examines short stories by several of the most important contemporary Mexican authors, focusing particularly on the second half of the 20th century and the first few years of the 21st century. You will learn about the distinctive traits of Mexican literature as you learn about the historical, cultural, and literary contexts of this period. (Prereq: SPA 311 or equivalent or instructor’s consent.) This course meets the literature requirement for Spanish majors/minors at Augsburg.

SPA/WST 335 Contemporary Latin American Women: Texts and Voices: This course examines the social construction of gender in Latin American countries and addresses key issues faced by Latin American women today. Includes analysis of poems, excerpts of novels, essays, testimonies, and interviews by and about Latin American women. Aims to help students develop an appreciation for the complexity of diversity of Latin American women’s experiences. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or equivalent or instructor’s consent. ) This course meets the culture requirement for Spanish majors/minors at Augsburg. It also counts as an elective for the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies major.

SPA 337 Mexican Civilizations and Cultures: The purpose of this course is to explore the development and present status of the many indigenous and other cultural groups in Mexico from pre-Colombian times to the present. Primary emphasis will be on the complexity of diverse cultures in contemporary Mexico. The course meets the Humanities LAF general education requirement at Augsburg,

SPA 356 Latin American Literature: Not open to Augsburg students as it is also offered on-campus in Minneapolis.

SPA 399 Internship (for Spanish credit): The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course that involves not only 80-100 hours of work experience and/ or participant observation in a Mexican organization but also participation in a seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development through class discussions and written and oral assignments. All placements are made with agencies that have expressed interest in receiving a student. While students are encouraged to focus on meeting the organization’s needs, more emphasis is placed on learning from the experience than on accomplishing specific tasks. If you register for Spanish credit must complete all assignments in Spanish. (Prerequisites: SPA 311 or equivalent) If you register for the internship, you must complete and submit an internship application in which you list your primary learning objectives for the internship. The internship counts towards the Spanish major/minor at Augsburg but it is reserved for advanced Spanish students. Internship application forms are available on-line in your Global Gateway.

SPA 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition (Prerequisite: SPA 311 or equivalent) Emphasizes increasing facility and correctness of written and oral expression through conversations, discussions, reports, debates, written compositions, and grammatical exercises. This course meets the writing skills requirement at Augsburg College.

sPRING 2026 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

For full course syllabi, see CGEE Course Directory

Augsburg University requirements fulfilled by CGEE courses.

BIO 118: Environmental Biology/Lab: In this course you will analyze some of the most important issues in environmental biology with special emphasis on biodiversity, drawing particularly from examples in Mexico. Students will learn about theoretical and applied issues regarding the ecological framework of tropical America through lectures, required readings, fieldwork/lab work. This course may be used as a substitute to meet the ENV 120 requirement in the ENV major and meets Natural Sciences lab LAF. (No prerequisites.) This course fulfills a Natural Sciences (lab) and Mathematics general education requirement at Augsburg College.

COM 329: Intercultural Communication: This course explores cultural similarities and differences within the many diverse cultures of Mexico and the USA, as well as around the world. Together we will explore common cultural communication patterns, values, norms, behvaior, and both verbal and non-verbal codes. We will explore the ways that communication influences and is influenced by culture. In addition, we will consider the impacts that diverse culture values and communication styles have on social justice issues and the negotiation of intercultural conflicts. We will also explore many of the same themes addressed in the Introduction to Cultural Studies (CCS 100) course and the SWK 261 course. Therefore, there will be many joint sessions with these othercourses.

FLM 251 Mexican Cinema: Past and Present: Watch and examine classic and contemporary Mexican cinema using a critical theory lens, enhanced by readings, guest speakers/filmmakers, and lecture in an online hybrid format. By analyzing Mexican films you will gain an enhanced understanding of race, class, gender, and indigenous representation and factors in contemporary Mexico. You will also develop film and cultural literacy. This online course meets the Fine Arts general education requirement at Augsburg. This course is typically only offered in the fall. However, if there is enough demand for it in Spring 2023, we may offer it then. Please let us know if this course interests you.

HIS 388: Topics in Latin American History: Queer Movements in Latin America: Provides a unique opportunity to combine required readings about queer histories in Latin America with live interaction with Mexicans and other Latin Americans who have been involved in creating contemporary history in the region. Most of the course will focus on Mexico and its struggles to achieve non-discrimination laws, same sex marriages and a transgender law. The course will also touch upon other areas of LGBT activism and history in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, and Nicaragua.

POL 357/WST 352: (Im)Migration, Gender & Social Change: This course will explore current controversies in transnational migration, with a focus on Mexican-U.S. immigration. We will also explore these controversies and the process of “othering,” primarily through analysis of various discourses of difference and the analysis of movements for social change. We will pay particular attention to issues of race, gender, sexuality, social class, often comparing and contrasting these with how they are represented in the U.S.A. This course meets the Social and Behavioral Sciences general education requirement at Augsburg (SBS-LAF).

RLN 344/WST 324: Undocumented, Ecofeminist & Queer: Contemporary Latin American Liberation Theologies: In response to Christian participation in the Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Americas and nearly 500 years of political, economic, cultural and religious oppression, Latin American liberation theologies emerged as decolonial theologies within the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s in order to repent of past wrongs and to promote decolonial, liberating forms of Christianity that promote participation in social struggles. In this course we will focus on contemporary decolonial and liberation theologies that foment the liberation of migrants and undocumented people, as well as women, non-binary people, and people who identify as queer. The course meets the Humanities LAF general education requirement at Augsburg, and can also meet the Core Curricuum requirement as a substitute for the REL 200 requirement, although you can only count this course towards ONE of those requirements.

SWK 261: Social Welfare: The U.S.-Mexican Context: To work for social well-being in Mexico and the U.S.A., social workers need to develop their intercutlural communication skills and to understand the complex social, economic, political, and cultural histories of both countries and their complicated relationship. It is important to understand the role of U.S. foreign policy in Mexico, historically and currently, and learn about intercultural communication and develop skills that can enable us to work effectively for everyone’s social welfare. This understanding frames our knowledge of contemporary social work practice with migrants and immigrants. Since we will explore many of the same themes addressed in the Intercultural Communication (COM 329) course, there will be many joint sessions of these two courses. This course is required for all students in the Social Work semester program.

SWK 271: Comparative Social Policy: Social Policy and Social Change in Mexico and the United States: This course prepares Social Work students to function as informed and competent participants in efforts to change social policies and programs in the USA. This course uses Mexico and the United States as comparative contexts for studying policy formation, implementation, and analysis. The course will examine the influence of values and ideology of the two countries on these processes.

SWK 316: Social Work Practice 2: With Families and Groups: Students continue to develop generalist social work practice knowledge, skills, and values while learning to interview families and facilitate groups. Emphasis on holistic practice applying the strength-based problem solving approach and working with diverse groups and families. Open only to students who have applied and been admitted to the degree program in Social Work.

SWK 317: Field Work 2: Integrative Seminar: This course is a continuation of SWK 307. Students apply practice knowledge and skills in their first social work practicum. Students synthesize their course-based learning with their supervised training through participation in weekly integrative seminars. Students complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised practice in the spring term. You must have at least an intermediate level of Spanish (or a plan to achieve that level) in order to register for this course. You will also need to complete a separate fieldwork request form.

WEL 119: Recreational Wellness: Latin Dance (1 credit): This Lifetime Activity course is designed to help you develop proficiency in diverse forms of Latin Dance. There is no academic credit for this course, but it fulfills the physical fitness graduation requirement at Augsburg College. The course meets for a total of 22 hours over the course of the semester (usually once/week). The course meets a lifetime fitness requirement at Augsburg. All of you are welcome to take this course, whether you want it to appear on your transcript or not.

Internship and Independent Study or Research Options: You may apply to complete an internship and/or independent study. Internships and Independent Study courses may be taken for credit in Spanish or another discipline, as listed below. They tend to be concentrated more heavily during the second half of the semester, after the first Spanish course ends, although that will depend upon your overall course registration. The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course that involves not only 80-100 hours of work experience and/ or participant observation in a Mexican organization but also participation in a seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development through class discussions and written and oral assignments. All placements are made with agencies that have expressed interest in receiving a student. You are encouraged to focus on meeting the organization’s needs, but given the cultural context, more emphasis is placed on learning from the experience than on accomplishing specific tasks.

You may choose to register for credit in any of the following departments:

American Indian Studies (AIS)
Cross Cultural Studies (CCS)
Environmental Studies (ENV)
History (HIS) 399
Interdisciplinary Studies (INS)
Political Science (POL)
Religion (RLN)
Spanish (SPA)*
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (WST)

You may choose to register for credit in any of the following departments:

Cross-Cultural Studies (CCS)
Environmental Studies (ENV)
History (HIS)
Interdisciplinary Studies (INS)
Political Science (POL)
Religion (RLN) Spanish (SPA)
Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (WST)

SPANISH COURSES

SPA 111 & 112: Beginning Spanish I & II: Aim to develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish. Introduction to culture of the Spanish-speaking world. (No prerequisite for SPA 111. Placement level determined by placement test or completion of prerequisite for SPA 112.)

SPA 211 & 212: Intermediate Spanish I & II: Through the reading of selected Latin American and Spanish texts that stimulate intellectual growth and promote cultural understanding students review all of the basic structures of Spanish and build conversational skills through class discussions. (Placement level determined by placement test or completion of prerequisites: 112 for 211 and 211 for 212.)

SPA 218: Spanish for Health Care Professionals: This course, which is taught by a Mexican physician, is a basic-intermediate course created to satisfy the needs and expectations of nursing students, physician’s assistants students, pre-med students, public health students, and others health care fields who seek to develop strong speaking and oral comprehension skills with a focus on vocabulary that would be useful in their fields. The main focus will be on developing specialized vocabulary and learning grammar within the context of daily situations relevant to different aspects of health care.

SPA 220: Business Spanish: The primary purpose of this course is to enable intermediate and advanced Spanish language students develop proficiency in the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural competencies necessary to successfully conduct business in Spanish-speaking countries. You will develop an understanding of business and culture in Mexico, as well as in several other Spanish-speaking countries. While learning about similarities and differences in conducting business in Spanish-speaking countries, you will develop the following five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural sensitivity.

SPA 225 & 325: Spanish for Heritage Speakers I & II: This is a course designed specifically to satisfy the needs and expectations of students who speak Spanish as your native language but are unfamiliar with how it works structurally. This course is for you if you grew up hearing Spanish and can communicate your ideas but are lacking a basic knowledge of Spanish grammar and thus feel insecure about writing and/or speaking it. The purpose of the course is to help you gain fluency in your native language and to develop more confidence through study and deep analysis of the language. By the end of the course, you will have mastered areas that you were not sure of before and be able to correct your own errors.

SPA 311: Conversation and Composition: Aims to enrich vocabulary and improve fluency and facility thorough oral and written practice in correct expression. This course is a prerequisite for all upper division courses except for SPA 316. (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent or placement exam.) *SPA 316 Conversations in Cultural Context (*highly recommended) Aims to improve oral fluency through debates, oral reports, and discussion of contemporary issues in Latin America. Uses Latin American films and local newspapers to stimulate discussion and deepen students’ understanding of political, economic, social, and cultural issues in the host country and throughout Latin America. (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent.)

SPA 334: Contemporary Mexican Literature: This course examines short stories by several of the most important contemporary Mexican authors, focusing particularly on the second half of the 20th century and the first few years of the 21st century. You will learn about the distinctive traits of Mexican literature as you learn about the historical, cultural, and literary contexts of this period. (Prereq: SPA 311 or equivalent or instructor’s consent.) This course meets the literature requirement for Spanish majors/minors at Augsburg.

SPA/WST 335: Contemporary Latin American Women: Texts and Voices: This course examines the social construction of gender in Latin American countries and addresses key issues faced by Latin American women today. Includes analysis of poems, excerpts of novels, essays, testimonies, and interviews by and about Latin American women. Aims to help students develop an appreciation for the complexity of diversity of Latin American women’s experiences. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or equivalent or instructor’s consent. ) This course meets the culture requirement for Spanish majors/minors at Augsburg. It also counts as an elective for the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies major.

SPA 337: Mexican Civilizations and Cultures: The purpose of this course is to explore the development and present status of the many indigenous and other cultural groups in Mexico from pre-Colombian times to the present. Primary emphasis will be on the complexity of diverse cultures in contemporary Mexico. Meets Humanities

SPA 356: Latin American Literature: Not open to Augsburg students as it is also offered on-campus in Minneapolis.

SPA 399: Internship (for Spanish credit): The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course that involves not only 80-100 hours of work experience and/ or participant observation in a Mexican organization but also participation in a seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development through class discussions and written and oral assignments. All placements are made with agencies that have expressed interest in receiving a student. While students are encouraged to focus on meeting the organization’s needs, more emphasis is placed on learning from the experience than on accomplishing specific tasks. If you register for Spanish credit must complete all assignments in Spanish. (Prerequisites: SPA 311 or equivalent) If you register for the internship, you must complete and submit an internship application in which you list your primary learning objectives for the internship. The internship counts towards the Spanish major/minor at Augsburg but it is reserved for advanced Spanish students. Internship application forms are available on-line in your Global Gateway.

SPA 411: Advanced Conversation and Composition (Prerequisite: SPA 311 or equivalent) Emphasizes increasing facility and correctness of written and oral expression through conversations, discussions, reports, debates, written compositions, and grammatical exercises. This course meets the writing skills requirement at Augsburg College.

Living/Learning Environment

Our approach to education is multi-faceted. We strive for holistic education that is experiential, intercultural, and rigorously academic. Most of the courses include numerous excursions and guest speakers. In addition to learning from lectures, required readings, guest speakers and excursions, we believe that we have much to learn from each other and that this learning takes place by discussing our own analyses of what we are reading, hearing, and seeing, particularly with regard to cultural issues, such as cultural differences that impact people involved in social services, education and other professional fields, as well as differences that may impact you as foreigners in Mexico. Therefore, we devote significant time to group discussion.

Over the course of the semester, we strive to develop a living and learning environment in which the interpersonal dynamics are consistent with the ideals of responsible global citizenship and social justice that we are studying and trying to foster through the academic programs. Our educational philosophy values personal experiences and recognizes that education involves questioning oneself and the world. Hence, we try to foster an atmosphere in which you feel safe and supported as you grapple with new realities and new questions about yourselves and the world in which we live.

In order to create this kind of healthy living/learning environment, students and staff will periodically participate in structured discussions and activities designed to foment awareness and responsible behavior with regard to issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and intercultural communication. While these activities may sometimes take place outside of the formal “classroom,” they are considered an integral part of all courses and an essential part of the overall academic program.

Throughout the semester, there will be several optional activities, such as group outings to water parks, hikes, visits to archeological and artistic sites, and other interesting and fun locations.

internships & fieldwork

An internship or fieldwork placement is not guaranteed even if you have registered for one. An Internship/Fieldwork Request form is required, as well as at least intermediate Spanish. The Internship/Fieldwork Request form is included in the Course Selection questionnaire which can be found in your Global Gateway Account. The deadline to submit this form is December 1 (Spring Semester), April 1 (Summer Semester) and May 1 (Fall semester).

After having completed the Internship/Fieldwork questionnaire, you will have a Zoom interview with CGEE’s internship coordinator in Mexico. That session will help assess your Spanish level as well as provide space to talk about potential fieldwork or internship placements.

You must have at least an intermediate level of Spanish or a plan to acheive that in order to successfully complete fieldwork or an internship in Mexico. The better your Spanish skills, the wider range of options is available to you for placements.

Social Work students who need to complete fieldwork during this semester but who do not have strong Spanish conversational skills are strongly encouraged to take a pre-session Spanish course (see Academic Information).

Please note that you may need to purchase a uniform, depending upon your internship or fieldwork placement.

Course Registration & Add/Drop Form

Be sure to read the Course Descriptions section of these web pages BEFORE you begin to register for courses. The Center for Global Education and Experience staff in Minneapolis will then register you for the program using the form provided in the Course Selection questionnaire in your Global Gateway account.

For individual syllabi with more information about each course, please see each syllabus in the CGEE Course Directory

Add/Drops

Slight changes in your registration can be made after arrival in Cuernavaca. However, you may not change Spanish courses after the third day of the Spanish class due to the intensive nature of the Spanish courses.

You will be provided a copy of your course registration during the first week of classes. Any changes must be made using the Add/Drop Form. No changes will be made without this form.

Important guidelines and recommendations to consider before registering for courses:

Read the Course Descriptions section of these web pages, which not only describe each course but also mentions which general education requirements it fulfills.
You may take 12-19 credits, depending upon which courses you take. Most classes are worth four credits, with a few exceptions listed below.
Please note that the Spanish courses are taught from 8-10:50 AM, Mondays-Thursdays for only 5 weeks. That way you can immerse yourself in the course and allow time for program travel to rural communities, Mexico City, and more. It also means that students in the "Liberal Arts, Migration & Social Change" (LAMSC) program can take 2 or even 3 Spanish courses, since you could take a second one after the first one is completed.
COM 329 Intercultural Communication course (4 credits) is a required course unless you have already taken it or CCS 100 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Studies, in which case you can take INS 495: Topics in Intercultural Communication in Mexico (4 credits) or INS 492: Topics in U.S.-Mexico Relations (2 credits).
The Recreational Wellness course, Latin Dance (1 credit)
A lighter load will allow you to take advantage of opportunities to travel and, if we do include family stays during the semester, spend additional time with your host family. However, if you choose this option, you must check with your own school to make sure that it will not affect your enrollment status and/or financial aid.
You may sit in on classes for which you are not registered.
Courses other than Spanish will be taught primarily in English, and translation will be provided for guest lecturers who speak in Spanish. However, if you want to complete some or all of your work in Spanish, please talk to the instructor.
If you have never taken the equivalent of a university-level Spanish course, you should take at least one during the semester and/or arrive 3-4 weeks early (at your own expense) to take an intensive Spanish course.
If you are bilingual or already an advanced Spanish student, you are not required to take Spanish during the semester.
If you wish to apply for an internship or independent study, you should have completed the equivalent of Intermediate Spanish II in advance, and you MUST complete the appropriate questionnaire in your Global Gateway account.

Information for Augsburg students regarding general education requirements:

Participation in the program will fulfill the Augsburg Experience general education requirement.
Augsburg "Core Curriculum" and Search for Meaning II: RLN 344
Fine Arts: FLM 251
Humanities: RLN 344 or SPA 337
Modern Language skill credit: all Spanish (SPA) courses
Natural Science and Mathematics (with lab) requirement for Augsburg students.
Recreational Wellness: WEL 118 “Latin Dance”
Social and Behavioral Sciences: POL 357

Spanish Language Instruction

The Center for Global Education and Experience contracts its language instruction with the Universal Center for Language and Social Communication in Cuernavaca. Universal is a highly respected institution among the many language schools in Cuernavaca. The school's primary focus is oral competency and having a solid grammatical base. Classes are small, ranging from two to no more than seven students.

Spanish Assessment

You may meet with the Academic Director at Universal after arrival in Cuernavaca. This informal conversation will not serve as a placement exam but rather as an assessment measure for the Spanish instructors to determine your strengths and weaknesses. That information will then be used to: 1) tailor some of the class sessions to address problem areas; 2) recommend special tutoring if deemed necessary; and 3) divide the group into even smaller classes when there are more than six students registered for the same course.

Choosing and Registering for Spanish Courses

Choose your Spanish course(s) after reading the course descriptions, recommendations, and guidelines listed here. If you are still not certain which course to take, please review the Spanish syllabi and talk to a professor in your Spanish department. You may also email the Mexico Site Director Ann Lutterman-Aguilar with questions.

If you want to take an additional Spanish course before or after the semester, please see the section below about taking an additional Spanish course before and after the program.

Important information regarding registration for Spanish courses:

If you are in the "Liberal Arts, Migration, & Social Change" (LAMSC) program, you may register for more than one Spanish course since they are usually taught intensively and consecutively for 5 weeks, Mondays-Thursdays from 8:00-10:50am. However, if you are completing a SWK Field Work placement or conducting an internship, it may be difficult to take multiple Spanish classes, so please be sure to check with us before registering.
All courses meet for at least 60 contact hours.
Most of the basic Spanish courses meet daily for three hours a day (8:00 - 10:50am) for four days per week (Mon.-Thurs.) for five weeks, although the schedule may vary. Advanced Spanish courses will likely meet less often but throughout most of the semester. We will let you know what your Spanish schedule will be after arrival in Cuernavaca.
Please note that if you are taking two or three Spanish courses, your schedule will likely change over the course of the semester. Again, that will probably not be possible if you are completing Social Work Fieldwork or an internship.
If you are taking a 100 or 200-level Spanish course, you should register for whichever course follows the last course you took. If you are at the 300-level and above, register for whichever course you are most interested in or most need.
In the case of SPA 316, you do not need to have taken SPA 311 first; those two courses may be taken in any order. However, please note that SPA 311 is a prerequisite for all other advanced courses.
We strongly recommend that if you have already completed the equivalent of SPA 212, you take *SPA 316 Conversations in Cultural Context, as it is geared toward developing oral competency in Spanish and is therefore particularly appropriate to take in Mexico.
Augsburg students may NOT take SPA 356 in Mexico, as it is offered on campus in Minneapolis.
SPA 411 counts for the writing skill graduation requirement at Augsburg College. If you are from another school and are majoring or minoring in Spanish, check to see which courses will count toward your major or minor.
If you are not an Augsburg student, check with your Spanish department BEFORE registering for your courses so that you make the appropriate choices in advance.
You may not change Spanish courses after the first two days of the first week of Spanish classes because each course is typically an intensive 5-week course.
You may change classes in the first two days only under the following conditions: 1) There is still space in the course that the student wants to take (no more than six students per class), 2) Your Spanish level is adequate, as determined by the Spanish coordinator at Universal.
You are not required to take Spanish if you already speak the language fluently, although most students choose to do so. If you are already fluent in Spanish, you will not be as busy as you would be otherwise during the semester. In fact, if you don’t take Spanish, you will have more time to complete the required internship hours if you are conducting an internship.
If you have never taken the equivalent of a university-level Spanish course, you should take at least one during the semester and/or arrive 3-4 weeks early (at your own expense).

Class Schedule and Contact Hours

Please note that unlike courses on your home campus, your class schedule for every course except Spanish will change throughout the semester. You will be given access to an online Gmail calendar once in Mexico. The daily schedule for each week will be finalized and provided to you by lunchtime on the preceding Friday. The reason for the changes in class days times for non-Spanish courses is that we rely heavily on guest speakers and excursions, which cannot always fit into the same time block on the same day. In addition, most of our guest speakers & excursions are interdisciplinary and count for multiple courses.

Most of the basic Spanish courses meet daily for three hours a day (8:00 - 10:50am) for four days per week (Mon.-Thurs.) for five weeks, although the schedule may vary. If you are taking both SPA 211 and 212, SPA 212 won’t begin until after you complete SPA 211. You will be given more information once you are in Mexico.

You will be expected to practice your Spanish during your rural and urban homestays, at meals, and in the community.

General Academic Information

Explanation of grades, assessment, attendance, etc.

Pre-Session Spanish

If you have not had any previous Spanish instruction, we strongly recommend that you take a full three weeks of Spanish before the program starts. We offer you the opportunity to do this at our language school partner, Universal Center for Language and Social Communication, just a few blocks away from our study center.

Spanish Classes without Academic Credit

We encourage you to choose this non-credit option as a way of improving your Spanish because it gives you the most flexibility in terms of the number of weeks of Spanish that you take. However, we strongly encourage you to take 3 weeks of intensive Spanish classes. If you aren’t seeking academic credit, you don’t have the pressure of grades; you are simply free to advance at your own pace and to concentrate on learning as much as you can as quickly as you can.

Spanish Classes for Academic Credit

In order to receive academic credit for one course (four credit hours), you will need to take 60 hours of Spanish: five days a week (number of hours per day TBD). You would start Spanish classes approximately three weeks before the start of the program.

Important Notes:

The additional academic Spanish course will incur a “tuition overload fee.”
Please contact globaled@augsburg.edu for cost information and recommended dates prior to the start of the fall semester.

Housing

You will be housed with a local family, as we will probably be hosting other groups in Casa Augsburg before the semester begins. We will pick you up at the airport and get you settled when you arrive in Cuernavaca. We will provide a health and safety orientation, as well as a brief orientation to your homestay. Please send your flight arrival information to Diana at vasqued@augsburg.edu in order to arrange pick-up times.

Cost

Please visit Pre-Spanish Pricing Mexico 2024-2025 for more information.

This amount will be added to your program fees for the semester.

How to Sign Up

Please contact Ann Lutterman-Aguilar at lutterma@augsburg.edu and cc Diana at vasqued@augsburg.edu to make arrangements for the course for which you need to register. Let Ann know whether or not you will be taking Spanish for credit and which semester program you will be participating in.

Academic resources while abroad

Studying abroad is STUDYING abroad, and therefore students often need the same sorts of support resources available on their home campuses. Thankfully, Augsburg has made available many of these resources via Zoom to CGEE students. Find these resources below:

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