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Academics
Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program: Level I
Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program: Level II
Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program: Level III
Madrid Internship Program
Faculty

Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.
Level I: Intensive Spanish Language Studies
This level offers an intensive language and cultural immersion program, held at the Instituto Internacional. Academic options are available for students who have completed second-, third-, or fourth-semester college-level Spanish, or the equivalent, prior to participation.
Courses are taught exclusively
in Spanish. Instituto Internacional courses correspond to the following Spanish
courses offered by the Boston University Department of Romance Studies.
The grammar portion of the language courses meets six hours a week and includes oral and written exercises as well as reading and comprehension. The oral drill and conversation portion, taught by Instituto Internacional staff who are native speakers of Spanish, also meets six hours a week. Students strive for competence in pronunciation and vocabulary aided by audiovisual instruction and intensive drills. In both portions, evaluation is based on weekly oral testing as well as on midterm and final exams.
CAS LS 211 Third-Semester Spanish
Prerequisite: Two semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, or
placement exam results. Review and practice of the structures of Spanish. Use
of spoken language in conversation. Readings on Hispanic civilization. Writing
exercises involving complex grammatical and syntactical patterns. 4cr.
CAS LS 212 Fourth-Semester Spanish
Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, or
placement exam results. Further review of the structures of Spanish. Intensive
practice of spoken language, different styles and levels of Spanish through
recorded materials. More advanced readings from Hispanic culture with frequent
compositions. 4cr.
CAS LS 241 Spanish Civilization
Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, or
placement exam results. An introduction to Spanish civilization with special
emphasis on history, art, and literature. The course begins in English and
shifts gradually into Spanish as students fluency
increases. Course content is enriched by visits to the Prado Museum, Segovia,
Toledo, and other sites. Evaluation is based on three exams and/or papers.
4cr.
CAS LS 303/304 Composition and Conversation in Spanish I/II
Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, or
placement exam results. Development of skills in spoken and written language.
Grammar review, vocabulary building, and regular compositions. (Students who
have completed CAS LS 300, 309, or a more advanced college-level language course
may not receive credit for CAS LS 303; students who have taken CAS LS 309 may
not receive credit for CAS LS 303 or 304.) Students with four semesters of
college Spanish can enroll in the sequence for 8 credits and also enroll in
LS 241 and one course from the Madrid II program. 4cr.
Depending on prior coursework or test scores, students are enrolled in one of the following sequences and take a total of four courses.
CAS LS 211/212/303/241 (Level MIB),
CAS LS 212/303/304/241 (Level MIC), or
CAS LS 303/304/241 (Level MID), and one course from Level II.
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Level II: Advanced Language and University Studies
Level II offers students the opportunity to complement language study with liberal arts courses at the Instituto Internacional. Spring semester and academic year students may also opt to directly enroll in two courses, per semester, at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Note: Level II students who participate in an internship may not take UAM courses.
Level II is for advanced Spanish students. All students should provide their academic advisors with information on course offerings. Students should also confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses must be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective credit.
Host Institutions
• Instituto Internacional
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
Courses
Boston University Courses
Students must enroll in four courses; taking all four at the Instituto Internacional; or taking two at Instituto Internacional and two at UAM (spring semester only). When Level II students arrive in Madrid, they will make their final course selections in consultation with the Boston University Resident Director. All courses meet three hours per week and normally require at least one paper and a final exam.
Instituto Internacional Courses
The course titles below provide a general idea of the types of courses that may be offered at the Instituto Internacional. Because course offerings tend to change, some of the courses listed may not be available during the specific academic year or semester that a student plans to study abroad. Likewise, many additional courses may be offered that are not listed.
Language and culture courses are offered at the 300-level. The literature courses are offered at the 400-level.
Advanced Language and Composition
Prerequisite: LS 303 fifth-Semester Spanish, or equivalent. The objective
is to develop the four skills of language: reading, listening, writing,
and speaking. The class is geared toward advanced students who have
taken grammar courses but need to practice their ability to communicate.
An emphasis is placed on questions of sociocultural adequacy and
language precision, along with grammatical instruction. Bordón.
4cr. Syllabus
Art in the Museums of Madrid
Spanish painting in relation to its Flemish and Italian antecedents.
Topics include Primitive Spaniards, El Greco, Baroque painting
of the 17th century (Ribera, Zurbarán, Velázquez, Murillo,
etc.), Goya, 19th century (el Casón del buen Retiro), and 20th
century (Centro Cultural Reina Sofía).
Students are required to visit other museums in Madrid and special
expositions in conjunction with this course. Margaretten. 4cr. Syllabus
Cervantes and Don Quixote
Presents the major work of Cervantes and examines it first as a literary
work in itself, secondly in terms of its historical era and the life
of Cervantes, and finally as an expression of Spanish culture in
general. Staff. Offered fall semester only. 4cr. Syllabus
Contemporary Spanish Novel
Four texts will be examined as a reflection of the language, life, and concerns
of Spaniards in the 20th century. The historical, social, and cultural content
of each text is explained and special attention is given to language. The
course has both a literary and linguistic dimension. Castillo. 4cr. Syllabus
Contemporary Spanish Politics
Studies the political history of Spain in the last 80 years. Special attention
is given to the eras of the Second Republic, Francoism, and the transition
to democracy, all of which are fundamental to the understanding of contemporary
Spain. Maldonado. 4cr. Syllabus
History of Spanish Culture
A survey of major developments in Spanish cultural history and art to help
in the understanding of contemporary Spain. The class begins with the history
of Spain as a receiver of culture (Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Muslims)
and it continues with the study of more recent periods, including the rise
and fall of the colonial empire, the struggle between liberal and conservative
ideologies since the 18th century, and the triumph of democracy since 1975.
Pérez-Juez. 4cr. Syllabus
Spain and the European Union
Europe in the post-war world; Spain of Franco in post-war Europe; the configuration
of the European community; Franco the dictator and the European community;
the integration of democratic Spain into the European community; and Spain
and the European Union today. Rodríguez-Cano. 4cr. Syllabus
Spain and Latin America: Anthropological Perspectives
Offered spring semester only.
Spanish Film
Survey of Classical Spanish Literature
Translation Through Film and Literature
This course has two components, one theoretical and the other practical. The
theoretical part deals with issues that arise in the translation and adaptation
of poetry, prose, literature, technical writing, commercial writing, letters,
and journalistic texts. The practical part examines specific topics such as
verb tenses, punctuation, idioms, verbal paraphrases, proper names, the use
of adjectives, and interjections. Samudio. 4cr. Syllabus
Women in Spanish Society
Aims to help students understand the role of women in Spanish society from
the Middle Ages until the present. The course traces the historical, social,
political, economic, religious, and psychological evolution of Spanish women,
paying special attention to the conflicts they suffered and the accomplishments
they achieved throughout the process. Staff. 4cr. Syllabus
20th Century Latin American Narrative
Offered spring semester only.
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Courses
If students choose to take courses at the UAM, they are required to take a minimum of two courses. In addition, they are required to submit additional application materials for the UAM once they are admitted to the Boston University program. Admission to the UAM is decided on-site by the program Resident and Associate Director.
Students may choose from a wide variety of subjects, such as: anthropology; archaeology; art history; cinema; economics; history of philosophy, science, Spanish language, or Spanish thought; Latin American literature; politics; psychology; sociology; and Spanish literature.
Because of differences in the Spanish academic year, coursework at the UAM is available only to academic-year and spring-semester students. Exams for spring courses take place in early- to mid-June.
Please note: This is a very limited sample list of course offerings at UAM. For a complete list of courses, please refer to UAM’s website, www.uam.es.
Archaeology
Analyzes materials of the diverse Mediterranean and Asian cultures starting from the appearance of the urban Mesopotamian cultures and continuing through the Middle Ages. Special attention is given to Mediterranean Protohistory and Classical Archaeology. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Comparative Literature
A comparative study of essential works in Spanish literature and the literature of England, France, Germany, and Portugal. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Cultural Anthropology
Examines the fundamental aspects of new theories and strategies related to investigating the history of cultural anthropology. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Economic History (Global and Spanish)
Outlines the evolution of economic activities by examining the economic development and institutions in different societies from the Neolithic Revolution until the present (with special attention to the 19th and 20th centuries). UAM faculty. 4cr.
General Psychology
Teaches the principal theories related to the study of psychological phenomena and also examines specific discoveries related to certain psychological problems. UAM faculty. 4cr.
History of Modern Art
Gives a general overview of the history of art from the 15th century to the end of the 18th century during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. UAM faculty. 4cr.
History of Philosophy
Critical analysis of the philosophy of Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, and Nietzsche. Reference is made to the establishment of philosophical systems. Three classical works are examined. UAM faculty. 4cr.
History of Science I
An introduction to the history of science (until the end of the 18th century). The development of scientific ideas are examined in the social context in which they took place. UAM faculty. 4cr.
History of the Spanish Language
Analyzes the historical development of Castilian from its origin until the present while paying particular attention to social, political, and cultural influences that have affected its evolution and expansion to various territories. A summary of the historical grammar of Castilian and philological commentaries on texts complement this analysis. UAM faculty. 4cr.
History of Spanish Thought
Analyzes Spanish thought, the founders of the subject, and the development of principal problems. Also covered is an introductory theme in which methodological questions are raised and the polemics of the nature of Spanish thought are discussed. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Medieval History of Spain
Organized into four main parts: the transition to the Middle Ages; the splendor of Al-Andalus and the nucleus of the Christian resistance; the fall of Hispanic Islam and the expansion of the Christian kings; and the path toward the Modern World. The subjects are analyzed in a global manner with close attention to economic, social, cultural, and political factors that influenced the evolution of Medieval Hispanic society. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Modern History
Examines the economic, political, and cultural evolution of European social formation during the 15th to 18th centuries. Population cycles, demographic models, and agrarian production of the period are examined. Emphasis is given to the most extraordinary events of each century in order to examine the evolution of society, power, and culture. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Political Parties and Pressure Groups
Familiarization with the mechanisms of aggregation and articulation of interests existing in present-day political systems. Analysis of the communication channels between citizens and the political system. An examination of conceptual matters, origins, types, and structures of political parties and the systems that they share. Analysis of the parties in parliament or in the formation of governments. Differences between political representation and the representation of interests, and between political parties and groups. The Spanish example. UAM faculty. 4 cr.
Power Elites and Social Movements in Latin America
A study of the relations between power elites and social movements that aims to analyze social structure from an interdisciplinary perspective, treating the topic with a multivariable model that includes analysis of class, ethnicity, gender, and their interrelations with social movements as players in the political space of Latin American civil society and government. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Social Development
The social nature of Man. Theories of social development. Relationships with others. The adoption of gender and sexual identity. Play as a social activity. Moral development. Pro-social reasoning. The representation of a social world. Adolescence and entry into adulthood. UAM faculty. 4cr.
Sociology
Presents and discusses the most important theories in the history of
sociology and the fundamental tools for the analysis of social reality.
UAM faculty. 4cr.
Spanish Geography
Themes related to physical geography (climate, vegetation, landscape,
and hydrography) and human geography (population, agriculture, industry,
and urban aspects) are discussed with respect to the methodology of
regional geographic analysis. UAM faculty. 4cr.
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Level III: Honors Program (Spring semester only)
Level III is offered in the spring semester only and is a specialized program for exceptionally well-qualified students who have a strong command of Spanish and have a GPA of at least 3.3.
Host Institution
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
Courses
Prior to the start of courses at UAM, students in Level III enroll in an advanced-level seminar on contemporary Spain (syllabus). Program participants then enroll directly in coursework at the UAM by choosing three courses from a wide array of subjects offered at the university. In addition, students may participate in semester-long tutorials that assist them with their university coursework.
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Madrid Internship Program
In this program, students enhance their Spanish language skills while fully immersed in the Spanish work culture. They will spend a semester in one of Europe’s most important vibrant commercial centers. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn 16 Boston University credits.
Host Institutions
• Instituto Internacional (Level II internship students)
• Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) (Level III internship students)
Program Schedule
Students are enrolled in three courses while conducting their internship. The internship ranges between 15-20 hours per week.
Courses
Required Courses
Students enroll in three, four-credit courses from those offered through Level II at the Instituto, or Level III at the UAM, of the Madrid Language and Liberal Arts Program (based on language proficiency and GPA).
Internship Courses
Students enroll in a four-credit internship placement. Pre-placement interviews in Spanish are required. Placements are contingent upon a student’s past experience, language abilities, and available opportunities in any given semester, so flexibility is essential. Course numbers depend on the fields of specialization in which the students complete their internship and the nature of the internship work.
CAS AH 505 Internship in the Arts/Architecture
CAS EC 497 Internship in Business/Economics
CAS PO 451 Internship in Politics
CAS PO 453 Internship in Comparative Law
CAS PO/IR 455 Internship in International Organizations
CAS PS 495 Internship in Health/Human Services
COM CM 471 Internship in Advertising/Public Relations
COM FT 493/494 Internship in Film/Television
COM JO 411 Internship in Journalism
SHA HF 390 Field Placement in Hospitality Administration
Internship Components:
• The internship itself
• A highly structured, midterm oral briefing
• Two fieldwork interview assignments
• A final, reflective and analytical written report, evaluating the students personal,
professional, and academic development during the internship
Internship Areas
Please note the following are examples of past internship placements only. While BU International Programs guarantees an internship to program participants, specific placements vary from semester to semester and may not always be available. Likewise, internship placements may be available in academic areas not listed. Certain placements may require fluency in the target language.
Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations
Study marketing techniques, media and consumer behavior, work in the marketing/PR department of a Spanish company, multinational firm, or advertising agency. Previous internship placements have included E.T.C. Advertising, Global Initiatives, Ogilvy One, IFEMA (convention center) and Asesores 2000.
Arts/Arts Administration
Study the current art market in Madrid. Learn about the funding bodies that support the arts and work in one of Madrid’s art galleries, museums, preservation projects, or local arts centers. Past internship placements have included Galería Durán, Museo de Artes Decorativas, and Sotheby’s.
Business/Economics
Study the current economic, political, and social issues affecting Spain and work in an organization with an economic dimension. Internship placements have included American Express, AFI, Marsh & McLennan, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Vista Capital.
Film/Radio/Television
Study communications and society in Madrid and work for one of the radio and television stations or film production companies. Internship placements have included Boca a Boca Films, CNN, Eco Casting, Madrid Film, Lua, Dos Mundos TV, and Rioja Films.
Health/Human Services
Study healthcare and human services issues and participate in the daily work life of hospital rehabilitation, therapy, or education programs; health center administration; social service departments; community care centers; or social activist organizations. Internship placements have included Cento de Mujeres Progesistas, Hospital de la Zarsuela, Interlab, Centro Dato, and PharmaGen.
Hospitality/Tourism
Study Spanish culture and the Spanish tourism industry. Students intern in such placement areas as travel, hotel, and restaurant. Past internships have included Groupo Zena, Hotel Ritz, and Travel Leader.
International Organizations/NGOs
Work in social activist organizations, environmental organizations, human rights organizations and associated government departments. Internship placements have included Amigos de la Tierra, and Casa de América.
Journalism
Study news media in the context of the political, cultural, and social life of Madrid by participating in the daily life of a newspaper, magazine, publishing house, or a broadcast news organization. Past internship placements have included The Broadsheet, Rolling Stone, In Madrid, Lips, and Associated Press Bureau Madrid.
Politics/International Relations
Study the issues and institutions of Madrid’s political culture and work in a political setting, including Parliament, party organizations, lobbying groups, or political public relations agencies. Internship placements have included Embassy of México (commercial office), Embassy of the United States (commercial office), Office of European Commision, INCIPE, and UNICEF.
Pre-law
Study the history and practice of the Spanish law in Madrid and participate in the daily life of a commercial legal department or an NGO working in human rights and immigration law. Internship placements have included Bufete J. Ruiz, Hombre y Tierra, AFI legal department, and Práctica Legal.
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Faculty
Spanish faculty members hold
adjunct appointments at Boston University or at the university program
for which they teach at the Instituto Internacional. The Universidad Autónoma
Madrid does not publish a list of faculty biographies. All courses are
taught in Spanish by fully qualified professors appointed to teach at
the university level.
Carmen Bordón: MA, Romance Philology, Universidad Complutense
de Madrid. Her specialization is linguistics, and she has taught language
and phonetics at the Universidad Complutense and at Vanderbilt Universitys
program in Madrid.
Mar Campelo: MA, Spanish Philology, Universidad Autónoma
in Madrid. She is a specialist in language instruction, and she has taught
at the Ponce de León Foundation and at several American programs
in Madrid.
Rafael Castillo: PhD, Philology, University of Madrid; PhD,
Hispanic Linguistics, University of Illinois at Urbana. He has taught
Latin, Spanish phonetics and grammar, linguistics, and Spanish literature
in both the US and Spain.
Juan Maldonado: holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in law
and political science from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His
research interests include political theory and nationalisms.
Selma Margaretten: PhD, Romance Languages, Universidad Complutense
de Madrid; MA, Spanish and Art History, Bryn Mawr College. She has taught
English as a foreign language, Spanish literature, and art history.
Jerónimo Martín: M.S., History, BA, Universidad
de Salamanca. He also holds a diploma from the International Foundation
of the Spanish Language and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in
teaching methodology of Spanish as a foreign language.
Amalia Pérez-Juez: PhD, History/Archaeology, Universidad
Autónoma de Madrid. She received a graduate fellowship to study
in the Department of Archaeology at Boston University during 199495.
Her specializations are management of archaeological heritage and Spanish
history, and she is the associate director of the Boston University Madrid
Program.
Tomas Rodriguez-Cano: MA, Geography and History, Universidad
Complutense de Madrid. He has taught several courses including 20th-Century
European History, History of Portugal, History of Modern and Contemporary
Spain, and History of Spains International Relations.
Vivian Samudio: MA, Spanish Philology, Pennsylvania State University;
BA, University of California at San Diego. She has taught Spanish at
the University of California at San Diego, the University of Minnesota,
and Pennsylvania State University.
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