Spanish 3050 – Spanish Grammar and Composition for Business – is not only a bridge-course to upper-level culture courses in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, but also a unique component of the School of Liberal Arts Management Minor (SLAMM). The course, taught by Roxanne Dávila, lays the foundation for writing at an advanced level in Spanish, with a focus on business and economic topics in the Hispanic world. Students fine-tune their writing skills and Spanish grammar, as well as build business-related vocabulary and practical business skills in Spanish. All, while learning about the stock market, global commerce, free trade agreements, labor relations, management, and marketing in the Latin America and Spain.
In-class discussions center around these topics in the context of the current economic climate - both in the Hispanic world and beyond. Students also learn vocabulary in Spanish specifically tailored to topics such as the stock market. Class debates focus on topics that range from the impact of free trade agreements on Latin American countries, to how to best market products to Spanish-speaking consumers.
SPAN 3050 also builds practical skills such as writing CVs and cover letters in Spanish, as well as how to write professional letters of praise or complaint about a particular product or service. Finally, students learn about appropriate cultural protocols and vocabulary for job interviews and for the work environment in Hispanic countries.