6 Week Program in Madrid and Alicante:
June 2 - July 14, 2013
Immerse yourself in the language and culture of Spain with Towson University in summer 2013. Enhance your Spanish language skills in a total immersion environment. Students take classes at the Estudio Sampere language school which specializes in teaching Spanish language and culture to international students. The school hosts approximately 1,900 students each year from around the world. Estudio Sampere offers courses at all levels (beginners to advanced) in grammar, conversation, literature, and culture and civilization.
Estudio Sampere is located in Madrid - the capital and geographic center of Spain. With a population of 3 million, it is the largest city in Spain and the third largest city in the European Union. Madrid's vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere uniquely combines the old and the new. From modern high-rise apartments and bustling commercial zones to picturesque neighborhoods with quaint cafes, Madrid is a modern-day city steeped in history.
All students will participate in the first four weeks of the program in Madrid. Students are encouraged to continue their Estudio Sampere language class for an additional two weeks in Alicante, Spain. Alicante is located on the Mediterranean Sea in the Costa Blanca region. The seaside city in known for it's beautiful beaches and pleasant climate. With 500,000 inhabitants, Alicante is a medium-sized city with a cultural life, a young and dynamic university, and a booming economy.
Housing: Participants live with a local Spanish family who provides three meals a day and comfortable accommodation in double occupancy rooms. Most of the families are located not far from the school and are between 20-30 minutes from the school via public transport (subway or bus). However, as Madrid is a large city, a 45 minute commute on public transport is not uncommon.
Program Director:Dr. Colleen Ebacher - Towson University Dept. of Foreign Languages.
Course: Students participating in the 4 weeks in Madrid program only will take 6 credits (3 Spanish credits and 3 unspecified elective credits).
Students participating in the full 6 weeks in Madrid and Alicante will take 6 credits (6 Spanish credits). **Denotes classes only available to 6 week program students.
Students will consult with the Program Director prior to departure and take a placement test upon arrival in Spain to determine the class level to be taken at Estudio Sampere.
SPAN 101: Spanish Elements I (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits).
Principles of Spanish grammar; drills in pronunciations; elementary conversation; composition; readings. TU Gen Ed II.C.1 and
Core (5) Arts and Humanities.
SPAN 102: Spanish Elements II (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits).
Review and further study of grammar principles; pronunciation; conversation; composition; readings. TU Gen Ed II.C.1 and Core (12) Global Perspectives. Prerequisites: SPAN 101.
SPAN 201: Spanish Intermediate I (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits).
Review of grammar and pronunciation; conversation; composition; reading of cultural texts; oral and written exercises. TU GenED II.C.3 and
Core (5) Arts and Humanities.
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or equivalent.
SPAN 202: Spanish Intermediate II (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits).
Advanced grammar structures; conversation; composition; reading of cultural texts; oral and written exercises. TU GenED II.C.3 and Core (12) Global Perspectives. Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or equivalent.
SPAN 301: Composition and Conversation I (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. Note: TU students may only earn credit for either SPAN 301 or SPAN 302 through study abroad.
SPAN 302: Composition and Conversation II (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Prerequisites: SPAN 301 or equivalent. Note: TU students may only earn credit for either SPAN 301 or SPAN 302 through study abroad.
SPAN 305: Readings in Spanish (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits).
Improves reading and comprehension skills in Spanish, while exposing students to introductory Spanish literature. Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent or consent of instructor.
**SPAN 311: Culture and Civilization of the Spanish-Speaking Peoples I (3 credits) Prerequisites: SPAN 301-302 or equivalent. (Open to 6 week students only)
**SPAN 321: Survey of Spanish Literature I (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Spanish literature, with collateral readings. Prerequisites: SPAN 301-302 or equivalent. (Open to 6 week students only)
SPAN 371: Special Topics in Spanish - Conversation Intermediate (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Specialized topics in language and culture. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent.
SPAN 372: Special Topics in Spanish - Grammar Intermediate (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Specialized topics in language and culture. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent.
SPAN 373: Special Topics in Spanish - Civilization Advanced (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Specialized topics in language and culture. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisites: SPAN 301-302, 311 or equivalent.
SPAN 391: Advanced Spanish Grammar (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Spanish syntax, idiomatic construction, word formation, original composition. Conversation and oral drill. Prerequisites: SPAN 301-302 or equivalent.
SPAN 408: Advanced Spanish Conversation (3 credits) plus Unspecified Lower Divsion Elective (3 credits). Development of advanced skills to participate in both formal and informal conversation, social and abstract topics. Prerequisites: SPAN 301-302 or equivalent.
TU students may receive Honors credit for their study abroad experience.
Costs: *4 week program: $3,550 includes academic credit, housing with a local Spanish family (based on double occupancy), health insurance, 2 one-day excursions, 3 meals a day, a welcome dinner and flamenco performance, and visits to a number of museums in Madrid. Additional costs include $150 study abroad fee, international airfare (approx. $1,500), local transportation in Madrid, and personal expenses.
*6 week program: $5,350 includes academic credit, housing with a local Spanish family in Madrid and Alicante (based on double occupancy), health insurance, a welcome dinner and flamenco performance in Madrid, 2 one-day excursions, 3 meals a day, visits to a number of museums in Madrid, a Tapas welcome dinner in Alicante and a roundtrip train ticket from Madrid to Alicante. Additional costs include a $150 study abroad fee, international airfare (approx. $1,500), local transportation in Madrid, and personal expenses.
Note: International airfare is not included in the program cost. Students will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the program location to arrive by the designated date and time. The Study Abroad Office will identify an optional flight which participants may purchase independently if desired.
*The Towson University Study Abroad Office reserves the right to make any necessary changes including adjustments in cost in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise.
Eligibility: Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5, a high school diploma or equivalent experience, and be at least 18 years old.
Application Process: Fill out the application and submit it to the TU Study Abroad Office. $250 deposit is required at time of application. Non-TU students must also submit a completed Non-Degree Enrollment Application.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
