Course Descriptions

Modern Languages Course Descriptions Spring 2025

Don't know where to begin on your language journey? Start here and/or come talk to us, find out about our programs, study abroad opportunities, scholarships and more during our Open Advising hours in the KLC, in EH 001

Monday through Thursday 10am to 12pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 1pm to 2pm
- These hours don't work for you? Make an appointment here.

Please check our schedule for time/days, and see below for course descriptions.

Modern Languages Honors Courses for S'25:

FREN 512 - French Cinema, FREN 519 - Intro to French Linguistics, FREN 520 - Introduction to French Literature, FREN 720 - French in the US
LATIN 102 - Latin II, LATIN 302 - Latin IV, HIST 597 - Top/Ancient Identities: Race and Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean
SPAN 569 - Environmental Spanish, SPAN 575 - Introduction to Translation, SPAN 752 - Latin American Flash Fiction

Arabic

ARAB 101 - Arabic I

a101

Teaches students how to write and verbalize the alphabets; pronounce introductory and intermediate level words, form sentences and refine grammar.

ARAB 102 - Arabic II

a102

This intermediate Arabic course focuses on developing skills in text reading, understanding written and spoken Modern Standard Arabic and in writing and speaking grammatically structured more complex sentences. Emphasis will be memorizing current usage vocabulary, and on understanding details of the principal grammatical rule communications. used in formal.

ARAB 301 - Arabic IV

This advanced level course focuses on developing skills in text reading, understanding written and spoken MSA and writing and speaking grammatically structure more complex. We learn the history, culture and the media about the Arab world.

Chinese

CHINE 200 - Chinese II

Continuation of Chinese 1. In this course, you will learn to converse on more varied conversational topics in Chinese; engage in basic reading and character writing practice; and become familiar with the traditional Chinese festivals and their customs.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

CHINE 301 - Chinese IV

Continuation of Chinese 3. In this course, you will learn to handle communicative scenarios with complications; prepare collaborative, oral presentations on lesson topics; practice extensive reading and engage in more descriptive and expository writing; and enjoy popular Chinese TV dramas.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

CHINE 502 - Chinese VI

Further enhancing students’ language skills with a manageable degree of challenge and deepening their understanding and discussion on cultural and social aspects about China. In this course, you will discuss social issues in or related to China; read newspaper articles with guidance; complete individual, oral projects to express opinions and propose suggestions on social issues in China; and engage in more argumentative writing in Chinese.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

Classics & Latin

CLSCS105. Latin and Greek for Scientists. (2) The course is designed specifically to provide students of the biological sciences a background in Latin and Greek roots of scientific terms. Emphasis on prefixes, suffixes, and word derivations. No prior knowledge of either Latin or Greek is required. Course may not be applied toward the fulfillment of either language or humanities requirements for any degree. Offered Spring and Summer.
HIST 597. Top/Ancient Identities: Race and Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean. In this class, we will undertake a critical exploration of literary and artistic representations of identity and otherness in the ancient Mediterranean and investigate how the study of antiquity has shaped—and continues to shape—discourses on identity, race, and ethnicity today.
LATIN102. Latin II. (4) Continuation and completion of the introductory study of Latin. Offered every spring.
LATIN302. Latin IV. (3) Continuation of the intermediate study of the Latin language via a study of original Latin prose and poetry. Offered every spring.

French

FREN 101 - French I	Designed for students with no prior French language experience, or less than one year of prior language study. Students will develop basic language skills and cultural awareness to discuss daily habits, personal information, and communicate in simple everyday situations in French-speaking communities. Conducted in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities.
FREN 102 - French II	Continuation of French I.  Designed for students with one semester of college French or 1-2 years of high school French. Students will build on basic language skills and cultural awareness to relate personal experiences, give recommendations, andinteract in uncomplicated situations in French-speaking communities. Conducted in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
FREN 201 - French III	Continuation of French 102. Designed for students with two semesters of college French or 2-4 years of high school French. Enhances skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing to express themselves creatively in French in straightforward social situations. Students engage with and analyze a variety of content including films and short stories. Conducted in French.
FREN 301 - French IV	Continuation of French 201. Designed for students with three semesters of college French or 3-5 years of high school French. Overall review of grammatical forms and development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in cultural contexts. Conducted in French.
FREN 512 - French and Francophone Cinema	Dive into the art of humor in French film! Explore iconic comedies, discover the cultural nuances of laughter, and learn from classic and contemporary filmmakers. Whether you're a cinephile or just curious, this course will enhance your appreciation of French cinema’s unique charm. Appropriate for students who have completed French 4 or equivalent. Counts as Fine Arts, and Foreign Language requirements
FREN 519 - Introduction to French Linguistics	This course is an introductory course to French linguistics with a special focus on the perception and the production of sounds of French. It is conducted entirely in French. Students will learn the minimal theoretical background and phonetic transcription skills to improve their understanding of the sound patterns of standard French and reflect on the linguistic variations of French. Appropriate for students who have completed French 4 or equivalent.
FREN 520 - Introduction to French Literature (19th C. to present)	Discover French literature from 1800-present in a variety of genres, including poetry, prose, theater, and film. Appropriate for students who have completed French 4 or equivalent. In French. Counts toward the French minor and major as one of the required literature class. Counts as Literary/Rhetorical Arts, and Foreign Language requirements
FREN 720 - Seminar French Literature & Culture: French in the US	This course will explore the rich history of French in the US with a sociolinguistic perspective. We will study Francophone communities in New England, the Midwest and Louisiana, as well as immigrant populations in urban areas. The course has three main interests: linguistic variation, revitalization of languages, and linguistic policies.
FREN 721 - Francophone Literature and Culture	Discover the literature and culture of Africa and the Caribbean in this seminar. This course will focus on contemporary literature and life in Francophone Africa and the Caribbean with a special focus on women authors. Appropriate for students who have taken at least one 500-level French class. In French. Counts toward French minor and major.

German

GRMN 101 - German I

This interactive course is for students with no previous experience in German. Students develop basic language skills and explore cultural products and practices of the German-speaking world. No-cost, open access textbook.

Designed for students with no prior experience in German, or less than one year of prior language study. 
contact nchroni@ksu.edu if you have placement questions

GRMN 102 - German II

In 102, students become more familiar with basic structures of German and continue developing cultural knowledge about the German-speaking world.

No-cost, open access textbook
Designed for students with one semester of college German or 1-2 years of high school German. 
contact nchroni@ksu.edu if you have placement questions

GRMN 201 - German III

In 201, students expand their vocabulary and become familiar with more complex grammar. They read and analyze texts and videos and engage in discussion.

Designed for students with two semesters of college German or 2-4 years of high school German.
contact nchroni@ksu.edu if you have placement questions

GRMN 301 - German IV

In 301, students read, interpret, and discuss longer German texts, extending the focus on language and culture. Students research various aspects of the history and culture of German-speaking countries and learn to write about and present the results of their research.

Designed for students with three semesters of college German or 3-5 years of high school German.
contact nchroni@ksu.edu if you have placement questions

GRMN 530 - Nature in the German Imagination

In the year 98 AD, Roman historian Tacitus wrote about the Germanic tribes as “forest people.” At least since then, Germans have had a special relationship to their landscapes, the forests, mountains, rivers, and their flora and fauna, often thinking of their own cultural history, heritage, and identity in terms of the natural world. In this cultural history course, we will examine how nature has informed the German self-concept and contributed to such intellectual projects as âventiure in the Middle Ages, mysticism in the age of romanticism, the politicization of nature and homeland in the twentieth century, and Germany as a leader in green initiatives today. Pre-requisite: GRMN 301

GRMN 705 - The Contemporary Familienroman

What secrets lurk behind closed doors? What secret desires and shames? And how does the family unit control what gets said and what does not? These are the themes of the contemporary German Familienroman (family- or generational novel), a genre that has experienced a renaissance of late because of the way it examines large-scale historical and cultural phenomena through the lens of the family. As such, this genre gives voice to those who are typically less involved in the way history is officially recorded, particularly women, children, and the socially marginalized. In this course, we will discuss four Familienromane, each of which casts a different light on the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in the German-speaking world, as well as a number of films and secondary articles. Our aim is to expand our understanding of Germany in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries by considering the multiple points of view presented in the novels. Students will be introduced to important discourses on cultural memory and its intersections with generation, gender and sexuality, minority/majority status, and cultural traditions.

Pre-Req: GRMN 521 or 522

GRMN 729 - Music and German Culture

German culture has produced many famous composers—think only of the “three Bs”—Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, not to mention Wagner, Clara Schumann, or Mozart. In this class, we will explore the nexus of German music, culture, and literature. After learning about Bach & baroque, the revolutionary impact of Beethoven, folk music, and Wagner’s mythic operas, we will turn toward the modern era of cabaret and jazz. Under the influence of American pop culture after World War II, the German music scene went in many directions, which we will sample, including, 1950s Schlager, Krautrock & techno, Neue deutsche Welle of the 1980s, German hip hop, die Hamburger Schule of the 1990s, and music today. The focus on music creates an ideal itinerary for us as we try to understand the history of German culture.

Japanese

JAPAN 200 - Japanese II

This course builds on the basic grammatical patterns and syntax of the Japanese language acquired in Japanese I. Through highly interactive in-class activities, students will further develop their comprehension (listening and reading) and production (speaking and writing). Students are also taught how to use helpful strategies to enhance their learning.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 301 - Japanese IV

This course is designed to further develop the four language skills in Japanese (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). Students will gain necessary skills and develop not only their linguistic competence but also their communicative and cultural competence. For example, they will start learning to use Japanese honorific language in various social contexts.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

JAPAN 502 - Japanese VI

This course is a comprehensive Japanese language course. It provides a well-balanced development of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Students will use the target language structures purposefully (e.g., for problem solving, debating pros and cons). In doing so, they will come to use the strategies needed to communicate at the high-intermediate to advanced level. Furthermore, they will gain necessary skills and develop the ability to use the target language in a coherent manner both linguistically and pragmatically.

Typically offered in Spring semesters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements of the BA or BS

MLANG

MLANG 301 - Languages and your Future

Investigation and application of resources for developing language and culture skills, as well as a knowledge base about related fields and careers.

MLANG 770 - Theories of 2nd Language Acquisition

This course is designed to provide future and current language teachers with an overview of theories that attempt to explain how second languages (L2) are acquired. This includes reading, discussion and analysis of different theories/hypotheses of second language acquisition (SLA) and recent research that has implications for SLA. This course assists language teachers in grounding their teaching in current research and thus making informed decisions concerning their L2 classroom practices.

Spanish

SPAN 101 - Spanish I

Students will develop basic language skills and cultural awareness to discuss daily habits, personal information, and communicate in simple everyday situations in Spanish-speaking communities. Conducted in Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Designed for students with no prior Spanish language experience, or less than one year of prior language study.

SPAN 102 - Spanish II

Continuation of Spanish I. Students will build on basic language skills and cultural awareness to relate personal experiences, give recommendations, and interact in uncomplicated situations in Spanish-speaking communities. Conducted in Spanish through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Designed for students with one semester of college Spanish or 1-2 years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 201 - Spanish III

Enhances skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing to express themselves creatively in Spanish in straightforward social situations. Students engage with and analyze a variety of multimedia content such as spoken word poetry, debates about telecommuting, cultural customs, and stereotypes.

Designed for students with two semesters of college Spanish or 2-4 years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 301 - Spanish IV

This course reviews and expands on knowledge of language forms developed in Spanish I-III and serves as a bridge to more advanced language, culture, and literature courses. Students will further develop communicative skills and strategies to describe, narrate, research, analyze, and opine in increasingly complex social situations. Conductedin Spanish. 

Designed for students with three semesters of college Spanish or 3-5 years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 410 - Spanish Communication through Pop Culture

Spanish Communication through Pop Culture is a new approach to SPAN 410. In this course, we will improve spontaneous conversation in Spanish through impromptu discussions, word games, partner conversations and more! We will improve our writing skills through creative writing prompts, peer-review and writing workshops with your instructor. We will also learn how to activate language absorption through authentic input by listening to music, watching documentaries, tv shows and films, and reading short stories and graphic novels in Spanish.

Pre-Req: SPAN 301 at K-State, or 4 years of previous study in high school or 4 semesters in college/community college (within last 2 years) AND and use of target language in the class, or extended experience abroad. Please consult with spanishcoordination @ksu.edu
Typically offered in Fall and Spring semeters
Counts toward Foreign Language requirements

SPAN 530 - Professional Spanish: Business

530

The need for professional Spanish skills in the workplace is on the rise across industries throughout the US. ^[1] In this course, students will not only develop their professional communication skills in Spanish, but will also examine the political, economic, and social movements related to commerce throughout the Americas from 1492 to today through a variety of texts such as historical diary entries, legal statutes, marketing campaigns, literature, art, and film. Students will provide evidence of their learning by creating professional documents, presentations, and creative projects related to the themes of the class.

^{[1] Source: Lead With Languages}

Pre-Req: SPAN 410 or 411

SPAN 550 (Sections A&B) - Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media

550

Stories are at the core of how humans experience the world. By reading and discussing texts, film, and art from the Spanish-speaking world, you develop your vocabulary, cultural awareness, and ability to express yourself. This class gives you tools for comprehending and responding to stories, poetry/song lyrics, drama, and film.

Pre-Req: SPAN 410
Required for Spanish Minors and Spanish Majors
Counts as Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts

SPAN 550 (section C) - Introduction to Hispanic Readings and Media for Heritage Learners

Use your knowledge of popular and trending singers, like Peso Pluma, movies, and books to further your critical skills in Spanish. This course will also help you expand your oral and written fluency, reading skills and vocabulary so that you can efficiently communicate in formal and professional settings while sharing your unique cultural and bilingual experiences.

Pre-Req: SPAN 411
Designed for learners who have been exposed to Spanish from childhood in natural settings (e.g., home). Please contact Dr. Valentin-Rivera for placement questions
Required for Spanish Minors and Spanish Majors
Counts as Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts
We are expanding our courses for Heritage Learners (students who grew up learning Spanish at home). Check our courses here!

SPAN 560 - Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World: U.S. Latinx 560

United States has the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world. This course focuses on literature and media created in Spanish (as well as bilingual texts featuring code-switching or Spanglish”) within the United States. A historical overview helps us to understand the social and political contexts that have shaped this diverse community and its cultural production since the 16th century. Students will develop cultural awareness, critical thinking, and language and communication skills, and research a topic of personal interest in a creative project.

Pre-Req: SPAN 550 or 551

Counts as U.S. Multicultural Overlay, Western Heritage, Literary/Rhetorical Arts

SPAN 565

El siglo XX español: Spanish Civil War, Franquismo, and Transición

The 20th Century was a turbulent time for Spain, marked by rapid government changes from monarchy to dictatorship, the Second Spanish Republic, and Francisco Franco’s coup, leading to a brutal civil war and a 36-year authoritarian regime. This course will examine the late 19th and early 20th-century sociopolitical context, the Spanish Civil War's geopolitical implications, the Francoist dictatorship, and the transition to democracy in 1979. We’ll analyze historical texts and cultural productions (visual media, literature, and sports) from Spain and its regions (Galicia, Catalunya, Basque Country) to understand the social, political, and cultural impacts of this period on both Spain and global geopolitics, as well as how the Spanish people expressed these experiences through their art and narratives.

SPAN 569 - Environmental Spanish

Land, Air, and Water: Conservation, Sustainability and the Environment in the Spanish-Speaking World

The interest in environmental issues has steadily increased in the last two decades. In this course, students will not only expand their vocabulary in Spanish to discuss environmental issues, but they will also examine Latin America and Spain's impressive geography and varying climates, climate issues, sustainability and conservation efforts and the beautiful flora and fauna found in these regions. Students will research and examine these themes with class projects and poster presentations. Course is taught in Spanish.

Prerequisites

SPAN 410 or equivalent

SPAN 575 - Introduction to Spanish Translation

SP575S24

People who are bilingual are often asked to translate or interpret in their jobs or communities. This course is designed to begin developing those skills and instill an awareness of the ethical responsibilities of translators and interpreters. Focusing on the linguistic and cultural differences specific to Spanish<>English translation, through memes, short texts, videos, and interviews, you will gain practice translating texts in a variety of genres. Special attention is paid to the role of the sociocultural context in the reception of both the original text and the translation.

Pre-Req: One 500-level Spanish course
Required for Spanish Translation Minor

SPAN 750 - Spanish American Narrative

This course examines the diverse narratives created by Latin American women who have been excluded from male-dominated spheres from the colonial period to the 21st century. We will explore a range of literary forms, including traditional genres as well as less conventional narratives such as letters, journals, microfiction, and screenplays.

Discussions will focus on the contextual analysis of these literary and cultural narratives, emphasizing the interplay of gender with socio-political and economic dynamics. Authors studied will include Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Teresa de La Parra, Silvina Ocampo, Elena Garro, Anaïs Nin, Clarice Lispector, Rosario Ferré, and Paz Alicia Garciadiego, among others.

Key topics may encompass women's roles in society, maternity, class, disability, ecology, and modernity. This reading- and writing-intensive course aims to develop students' abilities to interpret and craft complex, abstract language.

Requisites
Prerequisite: SPAN 550 and 6 additional hours at the 500-level or instructor permission.

SPAN 752 - Latin American Flash Fiction

Explore the mysterious, the fantastic, and the tiny through Latin American Flash Fiction (stories of 2-pages or less). This class will focus on Flash Fiction from Latin American authors, reading brief narratives published both as digital and in-print collections. This class will explore the creation of Flash Fiction and Micro Fiction and its origins in Latin America through the reading of authors Augusto Monterroso, Jorge Luis Borges, and Julio Cortázar, and current Micro Fiction authors Alberto Chimal, Javier Perucho and Gabriela A. Arciniegas. Students will also get to create some Micro Fiction of their own!

Note: Develops ability to interpret and craft complex, abstract language. Reading- and writing-intensive class.

Prerequisites:

- SPAN 550 and 6 additional hours at the 500-level or instructor permission.

SPAN 771 - Advanced Spanish Translation

This class builds skill in translation techniques through practice with texts from various fields (business, legal, medical, technical, literary, etc.) We apply a variety of resources and technologies to research and collaboratively revise our translations (both Spanish to English and English to Spanish). You will develop abilities in a chosen field of specialization related to career interests, creating an individual portfolio that includes a substantial translation.

Pre-Reqs: Two 500-level courses (Recommended: SPAN 575), senior status, or instructor permission

SPAN 779 (Section A) - Bilingualism and Cognition)

What does it mean to be bilingual? Is it ever too late to learn another language? Does bilingualism delay language acquisition? This seminar explores how bilingualism is defined and measured as well as various acquisition paths to bilingualism, ‘critical’ periods of development, language processing, maintenance and loss, and linguistic behaviors of bilingual speakers. Throughout the semester, students will examine research conducted in the field of bilingualism and cognition and conduct their own research project applying course concepts to bilingual individuals and populations in Kansas, the results of which will be incorporated into an open pedagogy project, where students will teach others about their findings.

SPAN 779 (Section B) - Hispanic Celebrity Cultures

SPAN 779: Hispanic Celebrity Cultures: The Case of Silver Age Spain (intended for graduate students; undergraduates by permission)

What is celebrity and why does it seem to play such an outsized role, both positive and negative, in our world today? In this course, we'll consider celebrity culture in historical and contemporary contexts across the Spanish-speaking world. We'll examine foundational texts and concepts of Celebrity Studies and Fandom Studies, two branches of Cultural and Media Studies that are attracting significant scholarly and popular attention today. We'll discuss these concepts primarily in relation to the nascent of celebrity cultures of Silver Age Spain (1898-1936), but you will develop a project concerning celebrity in any Hispanic/Spanish-speaking context of your choice. With respect to Silver Age Spain, we'll trace the development of celebrity culture in five major cultural areas: early film, bullfighting, soccer, modern dance, and musical theatre. Along the way, we'll ask: How were celebrity and stardom represented in film and literature before and after the Spanish Civil War? And how were those representations caught up in debates about national identity, gender, sexuality, race, and the commercialization of Spanish folk culture in Spain and early Hollywood? In addition to preparing a semester-long research project, you'll write a critical/creative work of transformative fan fiction.