The Certificate in Spanish and Latin American Studies offers proficiency in the Spanish language as well as exposure to the literature and culture of Latin America and Spain. It is valuable to language teachers seeking additional language certification in Spanish, as well as to engineers, consultants, business people and others for whom language proficiency and cultural information are crucial for successful business operations in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States.

Required Courses: (2)
54.211 Intermediate Conversational Spanish I or equivalent
54.212 Intermediate Spanish II and Culture or equivalent

Elective Courses - Choose 4:
54.310 Spanish Civilization and Culture
54.313 Fieldwork in the Spanish Community*
54.315 Latin American Civilization and Culture
54.320 Special Topics in Spanish Studies*
54.335 Spanish Women Writers
54.401 Selected Authors*
54.412 Short Story in Latin America

*Course may be repeated.

Course Descriptions

54.211 Intermediate Spanish I and Culture
Reviews Spanish grammar and syntax with emphasis upon increased proficiency in aural comprehension and oral expression. This course is intended for students who have completed two years of high school Spanish, preferably during their junior and senior years, or for students who have completed 54.102 or for students who are unqualified for the 54.221, 54.222 sequence.
Prerequisite: 54.102 or equivalent
Credits: 3

54.212 Intermediate Spanish II and Culture
A continuation of 54.211, which is a prerequisite, with emphasis upon continued development of comprehension and conversational skills.
Prerequisite: 54.211 or equivalent.
Credits: 3

54.310 Spanish Civilization and Culture
Considers Spanish culture and civilization up to the present. Through audiovisual aids, current newspapers and selected readings, the student will explore the Spanish way of being, thinking, and living. Emphasis is placed on the main contributions of Spain to the Western world.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3
Special Notes: Area II

54.313 Fieldwork in the Spanish Community
Involves individual assignments under the sponsorship of local service agencies servicing the Spanish-speaking community involving individual family and group contact. Written and oral reports will be in Spanish.
Prerequisite: Corequisite: 54.212 or equivalent.
Credits: 3

54.315 Latin American Civilization and Culture
Considers significant intellectual, artistic, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of Latin America from the beginning of its history. Through audiovisual aids and selected readings, the student will explore the Latin American way of being and expressing.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

54.320 Special Topics in Spanish Studies
Focuses on a limited topic of special interest in culture, civilization, or literature. May be taught in English or in Spanish. Course content and approach will vary depending on instructor.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Credits: 3

54.335 Spanish Women Writers in Translation
From a seventeenth century nun, to a turn-of-the century Countess, to women reaching artistic maturity under the Franco dictatorship, to the search for identity and meditations on universal themes by contemporary artists, this course will study major feminine voices in Spanish literature. At the same time, it will explore themes and concerns common to countless women writers regardless of nationality.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3
Special Notes: AE; taught in English; requires MS Word

54.401 Selected Authors
Presents an intensive study of the works by a few Spanish and/or Latin American authors.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

54.412 Short Story in Latin America
Provides an analytical examination of the thematic and linguistic structures in major Latin American short story writers such as Borges, Cortazar, Marquez, Rulfo.
Prerequisite: 54.350 or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete the indicated series of certificate program courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate programs at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses per semester (which is the average recommended course load). Students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction and they are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Courses held on campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters (Summer courses are also offered over two 6-week condensed sessions). Call for a course bulletin or check our website course listings for specific course scheduling information.

Application into the Program
Those who wish to enroll in a certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses
Continuing Studies and Corporate Education offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website at http://continuinged.uml.edu. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy
With the program coordinator's approval, two courses may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising
Program coordinators and general Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. To schedule an appointment with a program coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or (978) 934-2474. General walk-in advising is available Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-8:00pm and Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at the Continuing Studies Faculty and Student Support Center located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. For online advising, email our Faculty and Student Support Specialists at Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

Awarding of Certificates
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition
Please refer to our website course listings or our current printed course bulletin for the latest information on tuition and fees.

For More Information
For additional information on any of our programs, call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the University's Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.