FFC Requirement(s)
Global Perspectives (GP), Speaking-Intensive
Course Description
(Spanish for Business, Law, and International Relations) This course prepares students to understand and produce conversational and written Spanish for business, law, and international affairs. Students practice using specialized vocabulary and concepts associated with contractual and diplomatic negotiation, banking and business, and law and public policy. Cultural and historical topics for discussion may include the financial crash of the early 2000s in Argentina; the rise and fall of Brazil’s economy; foreign investment in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; Spain’s economic precarity after the 2008 financial crisis; trade, banking, and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Latin America; marketing to Latino communities in the U.S. compared to different countries in Latin America; and human rights law and immigration policies in the U.S. This course balances intercultural knowledge with language tools, including vocabulary building, conversation practice, listening comprehension, and the acquisition of idioms necessary for intercultural communication and competence in Spanish-speaking contexts. Course materials include feature films, documentaries, and readings drawn from news sources. Particularly recommended for students who are considering careers in economics, business, politics, law, and international relations. Prerequisite: SPAN 212 or higher 200-level course, or placement exam recommendation or permission of instructor.