Discover Spring 2027 courses in French, German, and Spanish, from language and culture to literature, film, and special topics. Whether you’re continuing your studies or beginning a new language, these courses offer opportunities to deepen your understanding of the world and the communities that shape it.
French Courses
10:00-10:50 AM | MWF | Taught by Gretchen Steidley
Essentials of French language and culture in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretative and presentational communication and in all four skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) with a focus on a proficiency level target of a novice-low/mid proficiency.
12:00-12:50 PM | MWF | Taught by Gretchen Steidley
Prereq: LFRE100 or equivalent (incl. placement test)
Essentials of French language and culture in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretative and presentational communication and in all four skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) with a focus on a proficiency level target of a novice-mid proficiency.
11:00-11:50 AM | MWF | Taught by Mary Vogl
Prereq: LFRE101 or equivalent (incl. placement test)
Counts for the major or minor in French!
Review and extensive practice of French language and culture in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretative and presentational communication and in all four skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) with a focus on a proficiency level target of novice-high/intermediate-low.
1:00-1:50 PM | MWF | Taught by Gretchen Steidley
Prereq: LFRE200 or equivalent (incl. placement test)
Counts for the major or minor in French!
Review and extensive practice of French language and culture in the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretative and presentational communication and in all four skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading) with a focus on a proficiency level target of intermediate-low.
12:00-12:50 PM | MWF | Taught by Mohammed Hirch
Fulfills AUCC 3B Arts & Humanities
This course, taught in English, introduces the linguistic, cultural, historical, and intellectual diversity of the Francophone world, exploring French-speaking communities across Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond. It examines how colonialism, decolonization, migration, and globalization have shaped Francophone identities, cultural practices, and language ideologies.
Through literature, film, music, oral traditions, popular culture, and contemporary media, students will explore French as a means of communication, cultural affiliation, political expression, resistance, and creative production. The course emphasizes the intersections of language, power, and identity, challenging simplified understandings of Francophone cultures while examining how communities navigate linguistic and cultural differences across local, national, and transnational contexts. Students will develop intercultural competence and analytical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the historical complexities and contemporary dynamics of French-speaking societies.
No prior knowledge of Francophone cultures is required.
2:00-2:50 PM | MWF | Taught by Mary Vogl
Prereq: LFRE201
This course, taught in French, is designed for students seeking to solidify and advance their proficiency in French reading comprehension and written production. Through the analysis of authentic texts, students will develop sophisticated reading strategies and engage in writing across various genres. The curriculum focuses on building a robust linguistic foundation necessary for higher-level academic studies and future professional engagement in French-speaking contexts. A key objective is to help students progress toward the Intermediate-High proficiency level as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) scale.
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | TR | Taught by Gretchen Steidley
Prereq: LFRE300, 301 or concurrent registration with instructor’s consent.
This course, given entirely in French, serves as an introduction to literary analysis. We will examine the themes, structures, literary strategies, etc. of complete (un-excerpted) works of theatre, prose and poetry, to be studied in their historical, cultural and ideological contexts. Students will develop a critical approach to literary texts, become more sensitive to linguistic nuances, increase their appreciation for diverse genres, and improve their written and oral expressions in French.
10:00-10:50 AM | MWF | Taught by Mary Vogl
Prereq: LFRE300, 301 or concurrent registration with instructor’s consent.
This course, taught in French, explores French and Francophone cinema, with a focus on recent films. We will examine how cinematic stories and images engage with key issues in contemporary French-speaking societies. Students will develop the vocabulary and analytical tools to discuss and write about films in French. Coursework includes in-class discussions, oral presentations, analytical essays, and personal and creative writing. Guest lecturers will further enrich the course.
10:00-10:50 AM | MWF | Taught by Gretchen Steidley
Prereq: LFRE300, 301 or concurrent registration with instructor’s consent.
Students in LFRE454 will have class with students taking LFRE 310 (this is a piggyback course); This course, given entirely in French, serves as an introduction to literary analysis. We will examine the themes, structures, literary strategies, etc. of complete (un-excerpted) works of theatre, prose and poetry, to be studied in their historical, cultural and ideological contexts. Students will develop a critical approach to literary texts, become more sensitive to linguistic nuances, increase their appreciation for diverse genres, and improve their written and oral expressions in French. LFRE454 students will read a second novel and do an extra project.
German Courses
2:00-2:50 PM | MWF | Taught by Rachel Kirby
Literature and the arts through representations of the Holocaust, more appropriately known as the Shoah. What role have the arts played in working through (and memorializing) the past? And what risks are there in “aestheticizing” the Holocaust? Topics include trauma, collective guilt, violence, and the role of the arts in society. Readings and discussion will be in English.
11:00-11:50 AM | MWF | Taught by Rachel Kirby
Development of reading and writing proficiency through an in-depth examination of contemporary writing.
2:00-3:15 PM | TR | Taught by Rachel Kirby
Appreciation and critical readings of representative works in prose, drama, and poetry.
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM | TR | Taught by Peter Erickson
Examine life in Nazi Germany through memoirs, essays, films, and works of fiction produced during the period. Assess competing theories that seek to explain Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930’s, investigate the role that propaganda and the arts played in the Nazi regime, and debate the moral dilemmas of life under fascism, what it means to resist, and whether there is ever a moral obligation to resist. Taught in English, with optional German discussion section.
Spanish Courses
1:00-1:50 PM | MWF | Taught by José Luis Suárez-García
Selected works in literature (translated into English), film and the visual and performing arts, as well as cultural artifacts from different periods and genres which represent the interrelationship of Spanish language and the literatures and cultures connected with this language.
Various class meeting times | Multiple instructors
Development of reading and writing proficiency through an in-depth examination of contemporary writing.
Various class meeting times | Multiple instructors
In-depth language study to improve proficiency in all language skills emphasizing oral.
Various class meeting times | Multiple instructors
Appreciation and critical readings of representative works in prose, drama, and poetry.
9:30-10:45 AM | TR | Taught by Maite Correa
Phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
12:30-1:45 PM | TR | Taught by Antonio Pedrós-Gascón
Historical context of contemporary issues in the culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
12:00-12:50 PM | W | Taught by Edward Sarasty
Building on skills developed in LSPA340A, strengthen Spanish skills for animal health and care fields. Through engaging, real-world scenarios and practical communication tasks, build the language skills needed to interact more effectively with Spanish-speaking clients and colleagues. Learn to record an animal health history, describe symptoms, explain treatments, and discuss safety protocols while also becoming a more effective and culturally responsive communicator.
9:30-10:45 AM | TR | Taught by Maura Velázquez-Castillo
Take Spanish skills to the next level with through practical, task-based activities tailored for future professionals in law enforcement, criminal law, and legal interpretation. Immerse in the real-world criminal justice scenarios, from arrest to resolution. Learn Spanish terminology and communication strategies to navigate common case types, encourage language access in criminal justice procedures, and interact with professionalism and cultural competence.
2:00-3:15 PM | TR | Taught by Alyssia Miller
Strengthens skills speaking Spanish in healthcare-related fields. Focuses on real world tasks and developing cultural competencies through simulations and roleplays to effectively communicate with Spanish-speaking patients. Learn to understand the patient’s reason for a visit, take a history of the present illness, determine cultural values affecting health, as well as other components relevant to common medical encounters and cases.
2:00-3:15 PM | TR | Taught by Maura Velázquez-Castillo
Development of Spanish professional terminology through the study of etymology, meaning relations among words and word formation mechanisms, applied to professional and academic areas of interest. Focused practice on building lexical proficiency for a richer and more accurate spoken and written professional communication
Various class meeting times | Multiple instructors
Development of speaking, reading, and writing proficiency through an in-depth examination of representative writings and media communications.
10:00-10:50 AM | MWF | Taught by José Luis Suárez-García
Analyzes current global issues from an interdisciplinary, intercultural, and non-English language perspective, while bringing a new awareness and understanding of the world and its human differences. The course is taught entirely in Spanish.
Capstone Course
12:30-1:45 PM | TR | Taught by Maite Correa
Prereq: Two upper-division courses (contact instructor for exceptions).
This capstone seminar launches graduating language students into the workforce. Students in all language majors will learn to identify and put into words the transferable skills and intercultural competence their studies have given them. Throughout the semester, they will meet professionals from fields such as international business, government, law, education, translation, technology and nonprofits who use languages in their careers. Students will build a professional toolkit in English and their target language: a résumé, cover letter, elevator pitch, LinkedIn profile, and interview answers practiced through mock interviews. They will also conduct an informational interview, compare job-search practices across cultures, use AI tools critically and responsibly, and plan their next steps after graduation.
Student Resources
Learn more about our faculty’s research interests, academic expertise, and teaching areas in our Faculty Directory.
Excited about studying language and want to connect with peers? Our student clubs provide you with an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas, plan cultural events, and engage in community service, all while gaining invaluable exposure to the languages and cultures you love.
To see all Spring 2027 course offerings from the Department of Languages and Global Studies, visit RamWeb and start planning your schedule.
