Spanish

Course Descriptions

SPAN 1, Elementary Spanish I, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • C-ID: SPAN 100. • IGETC Foreign Language (required for UC only) • Prerequisite: None.

Students may receive credit for either Spanish 1 & 2 sequence, or Spanish 11, but not both.

This course, using the Natural Approach, introduces the students to basic vocabulary and fundamental sentence structure in the present and preterit tenses. Basic aural and reading comprehension is developed and students hold simple conversations and write short compositions about present and past actions. This course is taught in Spanish, except in the case of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor. Language lab is required.

SPAN 2, Elementary Spanish II, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • C-ID: SPAN 110. • IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities), Foreign Language (required for UC only) • Prerequisite: Spanish 1*.

Students may receive credit for either Spanish 1 & 2 sequence, or Spanish 11, but not both.

This course is a continuation of Spanish 1. Using the Natural Approach, this course stresses basic vocabulary and fundamental sentence structure in the past and future indicative tenses and the subjunctive mood. The course develops basic aural and reading comprehension. Students hold simple conversations and write short compositions in the past and future. They read simple texts and further study Spanish and Latin American culture. Language laboratory is required. 

*The prerequisite for this course is comparable to two years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 3, Intermediate Spanish I, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • C-ID: SPAN 200. • IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities) • Prerequisite: Spanish 2*.

Students may receive credit for either Spanish 3 or Spanish 12, but not both.

This course is taught through thematic units in Spanish on a variety of current and cultural topics. In addition, this course reviews Spanish grammar, emphasizing idiomatic constructions and expressions. Emphasis is also placed on the use of learned structures in compositions. Reading skills and basic literary analysis are developed using selected readings from Spanish and Spanish-American literature. 

*The prerequisite for this course is comparable to three years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 4, Intermediate Spanish II, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • C-ID: SPAN 210. • IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities) • Prerequisite: Spanish 3*.

This course is taught through thematic units in Spanish on a variety of current and cultural topics. This course provides an in-depth review of Spanish grammar, idioms, and vocabulary. Developing a more sophisticated and structurally advanced writing style is also emphasized. Reading comprehension and literary analysis are developed using selected readings from Spanish and Spanish-American literature. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor. 

*The prerequisite for this course is comparable to four years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 8, Conversational Spanish, 2 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • Prerequisite: Spanish 2*.

This course provides an opportunity to acquire intermediate fluency in spoken Spanish with emphasis on natural, colloquial usage. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor. 

*The prerequisite for this course is comparable to three years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 9, The Civilization of Spain, 3 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities) • Prerequisite: Spanish 3.

This course traces the development of Spanish culture from prehistoric times to the present. It explores the geography, history, literature, music, art, and the customs of the major cultural and linguistic regions of Spain. The course will be taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

SPAN 11, Spanish for Native Speakers I, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • IGETC AREA Foreign Language (required for UC only) • Prerequisite: None.

Students may receive credit for either Spanish 1 & 2 sequence, or Spanish 11, but not both.

This course is designed for students who speak Spanish at home and who need to improve their vocabulary and knowledge of the grammar as well as their spelling, writing skills, and reading comprehension. Formal aspects of the language will be stressed including: spelling, punctuation, and accentuation. In addition, there is a focus on formal writing and the writing process. Reading, reading strategies and comprehension as well as basic literary analysis are stressed. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor. Language lab is required. 

SPAN 12, Spanish for Native Speakers 2, 5 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • C-ID: SPAN 220. • IGETC AREA 3B (Humanities), Foreign Language (required for UC only) • Prerequisite: Spanish 11*.

Students may receive credit for either Spanish 3 or Spanish 12, but not both.

This is the second semester of an accelerated sequence of two designed for students whose native language is Spanish but have had little academic training in the language. In addition to a review of tenses from Spanish 11 and continued study of accent rules and orthography, the second semester will focus on advanced grammar concepts including subjunctive tenses (simple and compound) and the sequence of tenses. Composition skills taught in Spanish 11 will be strengthened in Spanish 12. There will also be a focus on reading strategies and vocabulary building. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor. 

*The prerequisite for this course is comparable to three years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 20, Latin American Civilization, 3 units

Transfer: UC, CSU • IGETC AREA 3B, OR 4 (Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences) • Skills Advisory: Spanish 3 level skills.

This course introduces students to the development of Latin American culture from pre-Columbian times to the present. It will explore history, literature, art music, geography, archeology, culture, customs and traditions of Spanish America. This course will be taught in Spanish.

SPAN 25, Spanish for the Professions, 3 units

Transfer: UC • Satisfies Global Citizenship • Prerequisite: None • Skills Advisory: Spanish 4.

This course prepares students who have completed the intermediate level in Spanish to enter the workforce in either a Spanish monolingual or a bilingual environment. The course introduces students to both cultural and linguistic expectations within the workplace environment and in addressing clients and partners. Students practice appropriate preparation of documents, early contact communications and interview skills in Spanish, create presentations on industry topics, work in groups to present and discuss business and outreach strategies (including effective outreach to communities and audiences), and branding and product marketing. Financial and budgetary matters, human resource topics and expectations, and industry environments are also covered. The course is taught in Spanish. During this course, students will have the opportunity to participate in optional experiential learning as an introduction to workplace culture.

SPAN 31A, Practical Spanish, 3 units

Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.

This course is designed for the student with no previous knowledge of Spanish and develops basic conversation skills in the present tense. It emphasizes the use of set-up phrases, idiomatic expressions, correct pronunciation, development of useful thematic vocabulary and the ability to communicate at a practical and basic level. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

SPAN 31S, Practical Spanish, 1 unit

Transfer: CSU • Prerequisite: None.

This course is designed to develop effective communication skills. It emphasizes the use of set-up phrases, idiomatic expressions, correct pronunciation and intonation, development of useful vocabulary, and ability to communicate without hesitation in a given situation. This course does not fulfill the language requirement. It is only offered concurrently with Spanish 1 in 6-week sessions and the Study Abroad Program. This course is taught in Spanish except in cases of linguistic difficulty as determined by the professor.

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university. Please consult a Counselor. SMC has transfer articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as many private and out-of-state institutions.

Degrees and Certificates