Offered Fall and Spring Semesters and designed for students at any level of Spanish proficiency, the Madrid Spanish & European Studies Program provides a semester of study and cultural immersion. Courses are offered at the Instituto Internacional en España and focus on Spanish and European art, cinema, culture, history, literature, and politics. Courses are taught in English and Spanish by Spanish and international faculty. All students have the unique opportunity to experience life in a Spanish homestay. No prior knowledge of Spanish is required.
BU Abroad: Madrid's Deeper Meaning
BU Abroad: Madrid's Deeper Meaning
Requirements & Considerations
- All students must enroll according to, and remain in compliance with, the Boston University Study Abroad Course Load Policy.
- No prior language study is required
- Some courses carry pre-requisites
- Admissions requirements for all programs
Curriculum
Required Language Course
All students are required to enroll in one Spanish language course from the list below. Students who have already completed four semesters of Spanish, or the equivalent, are permitted to enroll in electives taught in Spanish.*
Required Language Course List
- CAS LS 111 First-Semester Spanish (4 credits)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- For students who have never studied Spanish, or by placement test results. Introduction to grammatical structures. Emphasis on aural comprehension, speaking, and pronunciation. Introduction to Hispanic culture.
- Garcia's Syllabus
- Samudio's Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 112 Second-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Completes study of basic grammatical structures. Emphasis on speaking and aural comprehension with readings on contemporary Hispanic culture and writing assignments.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 211 Third-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Individual in Community
- Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Completes study of grammatical structures of Spanish. Use of spoken language in conversation. Reading in Hispanic civilization and of contemporary short stories. Writing exercises involving more complex grammatical and syntactical patterns.
- Campelo's Syllabus
- Samudio's Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 212 Fourth-Semester Spanish (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Individual in Community
- Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Review of the structures of Spanish. Intensive practice of spoken language. More advanced readings from Hispanic culture with frequent compositions.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 306 Spanish Through Translation* (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- Advanced study of the Spanish language through the translation of written texts. Analysis of the theory and practice of translation as a catalyst of cultural transfer. Taught in Spanish.
- Syllabus
- Calendar
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 312 Spanish Through Cultural Destinations: Madrid en Vivo (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Oral and/or Signed Communication
- Teamwork/Collaboration
- Students will further develop their oral and written skills allowing them to flourish within the Spanish-speaking world. They will become familiar with the city of Madrid through immersion in its history, neighborhoods, art, literature, and its cultural and social peculiarities.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 449Contemporary Spanish Novel: From “La Movida” to 15-M
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of contemporary Spanish novels from the time of Franco’s death in 1975 to the present day. This class explores cultural issues within the literary, political, and social contexts of contemporary Spain.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 450Contemporary Spanish Literature
- This course focuses on literary texts and contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultural phenomena through analysis and critical essays. Students will explore various literary genres in order to develop reading comprehension strategies and become familiar with basic critical reading concepts.
- Syllabus
*All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective credit.
Electives Courses
Students select three courses from the electives offered in English or in Spanish, depending on their interest and proficiency level. Each course carries four credits. All students should confirm in advance with their academic advisors which courses may be taken for major, minor, and departmental requirements, and which courses may be taken for elective credit. Note: Syllabi are for course approval and reference only. Elective course offerings vary and may not be offered every semester. Students will receive up-to-date syllabi when their courses begin.
Elective Courses Taught In English
- CAS AH 364 Art and Architecture in Madrid: 1561-Today (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Creativity and Innovation
- An introduction to Spanish art history (1561-Present) that examines the most representative works and movements. Students explore the visual representation (painting, sculpture, architecture and street art) and the associated social values (power, gender, ethnicity, and “otherness”) in both historical and current global contexts.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AH 368 Graffiti, Street Art, and Independent Interventions in Public Space in Madrid (4)Effective
Fall '24- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Creativity and Innovation
- Introduction to graffiti and street art through case studies in Madrid. Combines contextual and aesthetic analysis with hands-on activities. Focus on artistic interventions in public spaces through the lenses of activism, the right to the city, and public space management.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AR 200 Heritage Matters: Introduction to Heritage Management (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Research and Information Literacy
- Social Inquiry I
- fall only
- Protection and management of archaeological heritage, including sites, artifacts, and monuments. Survey of heritage values and stakeholders. Issues covered include cultural policy and legislation, international efforts, indigenous perspectives, looting, repatriation, underwater heritage, and heritage at war.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS HI 256 History of Spain 711-1898 (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy
- spring only
- This course offers an overview of Spanish History from the year 711, with the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, through 1898, when the last territories of the Spanish Empire were finally lost. These two points mark the beginning of the era in which the Iberian Peninsula came to be known as al-Andalus, and the fall of the Spanish Empire with the loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 241 Cultures of Spain: Past and Present (4 credits)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Historical Consciousness
- fall only
- An introduction to Spanish civilization with special emphasis on history, art, and literature. Instruction 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 others.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS PO 245/HI 228 Nationalism in Spain within the European Context (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Social Inquiry I
- Ethical Reasoning
- This course examines the origins of Spanish national identity and the later emergence of alternative national identities within the Spanish state in the Basque Country, Catalonian and Galician autonomous communities. We compare the case of Spain with that of other nation-states in the European Union where the emergence of peripheral nationalisms continues to challenge national and European integration politics. Non-state nationalist movements are analyzed in both a historical and contemporary context.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Spanish Economics within the European Union (4 credits)
- fall only
- The course will explore not only the economic and financial pillars of Spain, but also the major challenges of its economic structure in light of the European economic integration process and the role Spain plays within it. The course will focus on Spain’s modernization efforts after regaining democracy in 1975, the main economic drivers behind its growth and its role in the European economic and monetary union. It will cover the productive structure, main industries, foreign trade -inside and outside the European Union- and international expansion, particularly in South America. The course will then focus on the particularities of Spain’s labor market, the importance of the public sector (welfare state) and the prelude and impact of the financial crisis of 2008.
- Syllabus
Elective Courses Taught In Spanish
Language and culture courses are offered at the 300-level. Literature and film courses are offered at the 400-level.
- CAS AH 258 The Spaces of Art: from Velazquez to the Private Gallery in Spain (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- An overview of the use of space in Spanish art and architecture from the early 17th century Baroque style to contemporary art. A journey from the aerial perspective of Velazquez's paintings to urban street art, installation art, and modern galleries.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS AN 367 Migrations and Cultural Diversity (4)
- Analysis of migratory flows and their implications for Spain and the European Union. Study of conceptual and theoretical frameworks through which to examine the diversity and complexity of migrations and their impact on Spanish society and culture.
- Syllabus
- CAS CI/LS 477/COM CI 477 Contemporary Spanish Cinema (4)
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of Spanish contemporary cinema and the variety of genres that have emerged in the last decades. Using different resources from films and literature, students will be able to better understand the diversity of Spanish society, which they will experience for themselves on the streets of Madrid. This course also explores how the technical elements of film (camera shots, angles, etc.) can express emotions as well as cultural and social values.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS HI 255/LS 340 History of Spain: 711-1898 (4)
- A survey of Spanish history from 711 to 1898, examining the political, social, economic, and cultural events that shaped Spain in its modern form. Aims to improve students’ understanding of Spain in a European context. Includes field trips around Madrid.
- Syllabus
- CAS LS 449Contemporary Spanish Novel: From “La Movida” to 15-‐M
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Research and Information Literacy
- An overview of contemporary Spanish novels from the time of Franco’s death in 1975 to the present day. This class explores cultural issues within the literary, political, and social contexts of contemporary Spain.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- CAS LS 450Contemporary Spanish Literature
- This course focuses on literary texts and contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultural phenomena through analysis and critical essays. Students will explore various literary genres in order to develop reading comprehension strategies and become familiar with basic critical reading concepts.
- Syllabus
- Mujeres en España (4)
- fall only
- 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.
- Syllabus
- CAS IR 323The Iberian Peninsula in a Global Context in the 20th Century (4)Effective
Fall '23- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
- Historical Consciousness
- Social Inquiry I
- Spring only
- This course offers a multidisciplinary study of contemporary international relations with a special focus on the Iberian Peninsula. It will examine significant events that took place during the better part of the twentieth century with an emphasis on the relations between Spain and Portugal and the United States.
- Syllabus
- This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas:
Housing & Student Services
Local Homestay
- Individual bedrooms in local family home. Each room has a bed, a desk, and some storage space. Linens are provided and washed regularly. Kitchen access is not guaranteed. Students will have the ability to reheat food.
- Board included: All meals (3 meals per day/ 7 days per week) will be provided by the host family. A packed lunch will be provided by the host family if the student is unable to commute home for lunch.
- Host families provide laundry, internet.
- Gyms located throughout the city, but may be expensive.
- Students can study at the Instituto. Many students study at home, as university libraries have more restricted hours than in the US.
Program Dates
- Fall Semester: early September to mid-December
- Spring Semester: mid-January to mid-May
Application Timeline
This program follows rolling admissions and may fill before the official deadline.
Fall Semester
- Applications Open December 15
- Applications Deadline March 15
Spring Semester
- Applications Open June 1*
- Applications Deadline September 15
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
- 2024/2025 Tuition and Fees: $40,434
Cost includes tuition, housing, board, program related activities, administrative fee, overseas medical insurance, and emergency evacuation coverage. - Estimated program budget, including cost of living expenses.
- Financial aid available.
