CLASSES & REGISTRATION

The Center for Global Education and Experience staff in Minneapolis will register you for the program based on a course registration questionnaire in your Global Gateway account. See section below for available courses.

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:

• You may take four credits (one course) for each block. 

• 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.

• Humanities: SPA 337

• Modern Language skill credit:  all Spanish (SPA) courses

You may take one course per session. Each course is worth four credits.

For full course syllabi, see CGEE Course Directory

SPA 111: Beginning Spanish I

 Aims 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)

SPA 112: Beginning Spanish II

Aims to develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish. Introduction to culture of the Spanish-speaking world. (prerequisite: SPA 111)

SPA 211: Intermediate Spanish I

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. (prerequisite:  SPA 112)

SPA 212: Intermediate Spanish 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. (prerequisites:  SPA 211)

SPA 218: Spanish for Healthcare 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. 

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. 

SPA 225: Spanish for Heritage Speakers I

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 goal is to help you gain fluency and confidence in your native language.  (No prerequisites.  Level depends on proficiency.)

SPA 311 Conversation and Composition

Aims to enrich vocabulary and improve fluency and facility thorough oral and written practice in correct expression.  This course counts toward the major or minor in Spanish at Augsburg University is a prerequisite for all upper division courses except for SPA 316.   (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent)

*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. Please note that you do not have to take SPA 311 before taking SPA 316.   (Prerequisite: SPA 212 or equivalent.)

SPA 325: Spanish for Heritage Speakers II

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 goal is to help you gain fluency and confidence in your native language.  (No prerequisites.  Level depends on proficiency.)

SPA 334 Contemporary Mexican Literature

This course examines short stories by the most important contemporary Mexican authors, focusing particularly on the second half of the 20th 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.

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 includes several Saturday excursions to locations such as the “pyramids” of Chalcatzingo and/or Teotihuacan, as well as the beautiful colonial city of Puebla and Mexico City.  (Prerequisite:  SPA 311 or instructor’s consent) Meets the Humanities General Education requirement as well as the culture requirement for Spanish majors/minors at Augsburg University.

SPA 356 Latin American Literature (NOT available to Augsburg students; only open to students from other schools, as Augsburg students may take SPA 334 instead.)

Examines the study of literature, as well as issues of social change through the voices of Latin American writers.  Focuses on short stories, poetry, plays, one novel, and testimonials of indigenous peoples, women, and Central American refugees.  (Prereq.: SPA 311 or equivalent or instructor’s consent.  Unless your school requires “Latin American Literature, we recommend that you take SPA 334 instead.)

SPA 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition

Emphasizes increasing facility and correctness of written and oral expression through conversations, discussions, reports, debates, written compositions, and grammatical exercises.  (Prerequisite: SPA 311 or equivalent.)  This course meets the Augsburg Writing (W) skill requirement.

Internship (Including Medical Observership) and Seminar (INS 399 or SPA 399). Prerequisites: SPA 212 or equivalent, internship application, and interview in Spanish and/or Spanish reference form. The internship seminar is a rigorous academic course that involves not only a minimum of 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 assignments must be completed in Spanish if you register for Spanish credit. If you do not need the course for Spanish credit, you can register for it in another discipline and complete assignments in English. 

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.

Information about Spanish Courses 

The Center for Global Education and Experience and Experience (CGEE) in Mexico contracts its language instruction with the Universal Center for Language and Social Communication. Universal is a highly respected institution among the language schools in Cuernavaca and the Universal instructors serve as part of Augsburg University's Spanish department. 

The school's primary focus is fomenting oral competency and a solid grammatical base, although the instructors also love to teach more advanced courses focusing on Mexican art, history, literature, and social issues, as well as pre-professional courses geared to help learners develop specialized vocabulary. Classes are small, ranging from two to no more than seven students. 

For all courses except 111, 112, 211 and 212, at least two students must sign up for the course in order for it to be offered. Exceptions can be made if you have already taken the courses being offered and absolutely need a certain course. Please see the CGEE Course Catalog for detailed syllabi. 

Class Schedule and Contact Hours (60 contact hours for all courses; four credits) 

The Summer Spanish courses will meet for four hours per day, five days per week (Mon.-Fri.) for three weeks (Mon.-Fri., 9:00am-1:00pm with breaks).  If you are taking more than one course, your second course will begin AFTER you complete your first course.

In addition, as part of the class participation grade for all Spanish courses, you will be expected to participate in all orientation sessions, guest speakers and excursions (we will have at least one per week), and one “cultural issues” session per week. You will receive approximately 60 hours of class time per Spanish course, plus excursions and guest speakers. In addition, you will be expected to practice your Spanish during the speakers and excursions, your homestays, in your internship settings (as applicable), and in the community. 

Remember, you are not on vacation; this is a serious, while fun, academic program. You are squeezing a 15-week course into just three weeks. Therefore, you will be very, very busy. 

Important Reminders Regarding Registration for Spanish classes: 

• You should register for whichever course follows the last Spanish course you took, or if you are at the 300-level and above, whichever course most interests you. In the case of SPA 316, you do not need to take SPA 311 first; those two courses may be taken in any order. You may also take SPA 411 as long as you have already taken SPA 311.  

• Check with your Spanish department BEFORE registering for your courses so that you make the appropriate choice for your degree program in advance.  

• The minimum number of students required in order to offer a course is two. One-on-one courses will only be offered in the case of students who have no other course options due to their level of Spanish or specific needs. If only one student needs to take SPA 111, 112, 211, or 212, then private classes will be arranged for that student. However, if only one student has registered for SPA 311 and has the option of taking SPA 316, then SPA 311 will not be offered for just one student.  

• We strongly recommend that advanced students (those who have already completed the equivalent of SPA 212) take SPA 316 Conversations in Cultural Context, as it is geared toward developing oral competency in Spanish and is therefore a particularly good course to take while in Mexico.  

• You should be very careful when registering for your Spanish courses, as you may not change courses after the first three days of the first week of Spanish classes. You may change classes under the following conditions: 1) there is still space in the course that you want to take (no more than seven students per class) and 2) your Spanish level is adequate, as determined by the instructors at Universal. 

General Academic Information

Explanation of grades, assessment, attendance, etc.

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:

• Get help with your writing assignments with a Zoom meeting with the Writing Center.

• Find tutoring resources here.

• Brush up on your academic skills here (especially time management, which can be difficult while studying abroad!).

• Check out the free or low cost assistive technology offered through the CLASS office and read more about disability accommodations here.