This is a course on the method and practice of literary translation as a close reading and analysis of literary texts, within the framework of linguistics and semantics. By means of a variety of texts, both from the Hispanic and the English tradition, the course exposes students to literary translation as a form of literary criticism, helping them understand the cultural and critical assumptions that guide one's interpretation of a text. Whereas the theoretical readings are aimed at helping students grasp important aspects in translation studies, the literary texts present an array of interpretation problems regarding author, time period, genre, and cultural milieu. This course is aimed at students at the advanced level of Spanish. Translations primarily will be Spanish into English and class discussion will be conducted in both Spanish and English. Coursework includes weekly translation practice, discussion of translation issues, and some class presentations. The final project consists of the translation of a text accompanied by a critical commentary regarding the process of translation.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN-3050 and six credits from MSPAN 3010 Spanish Conversation, MSPAN 3020 Introduction to Spanish Phonetics, MSPAN 3030 Reading Spanish, or MSPAN 3040 Spanish Grammar Review or permission of the department.
MSPAN 3010 Spanish Conversation (2 hours)
A course designed to provide intensive practice in conversational Spanish. Students will prepare assigned discussion topics and/or readings and will make class presentations in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage IV or appropriate placement.
Note: MSPAN 3010 Spanish Conversation and MSPAN 3020 Introduction to Spanish Phonetics may be taken in either order or may be taken simultaneously.
MSPAN 3020 Introduction to Spanish Phonetics (2 hours)
This course provides an introduction to the study and practice of the sounds of Spanish with an emphasis on practical exercises for improving students' pronunciation of Spanish. In it studetns will study the major phonetic characteristics of regional varieties of the Spanish of Spain and Latin America. Topics to be covered in the course include the articulatory system, transcription and phonetic alphabets, and the similarities and differences between the sounds and pronunciation patterns of Spanish and English.
Prerequisite: MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage IV or permission of Department.
MSPAN 3030 Reading Spanish (2 hours)
Students will read a variety of materials using specific strategies designed to help them comprehend texts taught in traditional literature classes as well as other materials written in Spanish.
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage IV or appropriate placement.
MSPAN 3040 Spanish Grammar Review (2 hours)
A course which will present a sequenced review of the grammar of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for persons whose first language is English. (Not open to native speakers of Spanish.)
Prerequisite(s): MSPAN 2020 Spanish: Stage IV or appropriate placement
