The Semester in Spain program is designed to offer curricular experiences for students to study in Salamanca for the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Fall and spring participants will be required to take a total of 16-credits and Summer participants will be required to take 10-credits. For all terms, students enroll in a 1-credit University Studies course as part of the total credit requirements.
All of JMU's courses meet in classrooms at the university. Classes are taught by the faculty of the University of Salamanca and the JMU faculty member in residence. Students are enrolled in all aspects of the academic program at the University of Salamanca and have complete access to student facilities.
In addition, students may also choose to complete a 3-credit internship course in a variety of fields.
Spring '26 - Taught in English
The curriculum has been created to allow students to meet specific General Education credits and earn Spanish credits toward a minor or major in Spanish. Students will select four of the six general education courses offered, plus an elementary or intermediate Spanish course, and UNST 390. Spanish majors or minors may choose a fifth Gen Ed course instead of the SPAN course. The program also meets the international travel requirement for all International Business majors. All courses are taught in English.
| Spring Semester |
| 4 General Education Courses (3 credits each) |
| 1 SPAN Elective (3 credits) |
| + UNST 390 (1 credit) |
| 16 credits total |
General Education Courses - Choose 4
American and Global Perspectives
POSC 200 Global Politics
Arts and Humanities
ARTH 289 The Museum: Histories and Controversies (taught by the FMIR)
HUM 252 Global Cultures
The Natural World
GEOL 102 Environment: Earth
Sociocultural and Wellness Area
HTH 100 Personal Wellness
SOCI 140 Microsociology: the Individual in Society
Spanish - Choose 1
SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 493 Business Spanish Internship
SPAN 497 Spanish Internship
University Studies - Required
UNST 390 University Studies
Summer '26 - Taught in Spanish
Language Requirements
All the students who take SPAN 300 or 400 courses must have completed the intermediate Spanish level courses (SPAN 212, SPAN 232, or the appropriate score in the language placement test) before they travel. The students who take SPAN 212 must have completed the elementary Spanish level courses (SPAN 102, SPAN 109, SPAN 111, or the appropriate score in the language placement test) before they travel. All courses offered during summer are taught in Spanish.
| Summer Semester |
| 3 SPAN Courses (3 credits each) |
| + UNST 390 (1 credit) |
| 10 credits total |
Spanish - Choose 3
SPAN 212 Intensive Intermediate Spanish
SPAN 300 Language for Living
SPAN 301 Pop Culture through Language
SPAN 307 History of Spanish Culture and Society
SPAN 320 Culture and Communication in Context
SPAN 322 Language Landscapes
SPAN 330 Business Spanish
SPAN 335 A Journey through Literature
SPAN 365 Spanish for Medical Professionals I
SPAN 435 Translation Strategies
SPAN 465 Cinema and Literature
SPAN 476 Culture and Medicine in Latin America
SPAN 486 Business and Society in Spain
SPAN 493 Business Spanish Internship (Valencia)
SPAN 497 Spanish Internship (Valencia)
University Studies - Required
UNST 390 University Studies
Fall '26 - Taught in English
The curriculum has been created to allow students to meet specific General Education credits and earn Spanish credits toward a minor or major in Spanish. Students will select four of the six general education courses offered, plus an elementary or intermediate Spanish course, and UNST 390. Spanish majors or minors may choose a fifth Gen Ed course instead of the SPAN course. The program also meets the international travel requirement for all International Business majors. All courses are taught in English.
| Fall Semester |
| 4 General Education Courses (3 credits each) |
| 1 SPAN Elective (3 credits) |
| + UNST 390 (1 credit) |
| 16 credits total |
General Education Courses - Choose 4
Madison Foundations
PHIL 150 Ethical Reasoning
SCOM 121 Fundamental Human Communication: Presentations
WRTC 103 Rhetorical Reading and Writing
American and Global Perspectives
POSC 200 Global Politics
Arts and Humanities
HUM 200 Great Works (taught by the FMIR)
ART 200 Art in General Culture
Sociocultural and Wellness Area
HTH 100 Personal Wellness
SOCI 140 Microsociology: the Individual in Society
The Natural World
GEOL 102 Environment: Earth
Spanish - Choose 1
SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 493 Business Spanish Internship
SPAN 497 Spanish Internship
University Studies - Required
UNST 390 University Studies
Spring '27 - Taught in Spanish
Language Requirements
All the students who take SPAN 300 or 400 courses must have completed the intermediate Spanish level courses (SPAN 212, SPAN 232, or the appropriate score in the language placement test) before they travel. All courses offered during summer are taught in Spanish.
| Spring Semester |
| 5 SPAN Courses (3 credits each) |
| + UNST 390 (1 credit) |
| 16 credits total |
Spanish - Choose 5
ARTH 314 Masterpieces of Spanish Art
SPAN 300 Language for Living
SPAN 301 Pop Culture through Language
SPAN 307 History of Spanish Culture and Society
SPAN 308 Latin American Cultures
SPAN 320 Culture and Communication in Context
SPAN 322 Language Landscapes
SPAN 330 Business Spanish
SPAN 335 A Journey through Literature
SPAN 365 Spanish for Medical Professionals I
SPAN 435 Translation Strategies
SPAN 465 Cinema and Literature
SPAN 476 Culture and Medicine in Latin America
SPAN 486 Business and Society in Spain
SPAN 490T Special Studies in Spanish
SPAN 493 Business Spanish Internship (Valencia extension)
SPAN 497 Spanish Internship (Valencia extension)
University Studies - Required
UNST 390 University Studies
Internships
The SIS program offers internships in a variety of disciplines, including:
- Practical experience assisting teachers in classrooms at a local secondary school and providing English/Spanish instructions to K-12 levels (Fall semester only, beginning 2024).
- Interning at the University of Salamanca and providing administrative support within the Department of History or Department of English (Fall and summer semesters, beginning 2024).
- For students in the Health Sciences, Medical Spanish and Nursing fields, an internship with Dr. Jesús Cuadrado, SIS's health practitioner for students, is available (Fall and summer semesters, beginning 2024).
- A four-week internship in Valencia, following the summer SIS term. Students can intern in several industries, such as business, education, communication, law, engineering, and non-profit management, and will be placed with an internship provider for 5 days a week for approximately 30-40 hours a week (Students earn credit as SPAN 490, SPAN 493, and/or IBUS 294)
See Sample Internship Placements
Courses
ART 200: Art in General Culture (Arts and Humanities)
A survey of art in Spain from prehistoric cave painting through 20th-century art. Emphasis is given to 17th-18th century Baroque and modern artists including El Greco, Velasquez, Goya, Gaudi and Picasso. Visits to Altamira, the Alhambra, the Prado, Toledo, Santillana del Mar and other sites.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
ARTH 314: Masterpieces of Spanish Art
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
HUM 200: Great Works (Arts and Humanities)
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
GEOL 102: Environment: Earth (The Natural World)
A study of geological processes causing global change and their impact on human thought. The relationship between some geological processes and life on the Earth is also considered. Not available for major or minor credit in geology. Students may not receive credit for both GEOL 102 and ISCI 102.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
HTH 100: Personal Wellness (Sociocultural and Wellness Area)
Emphasizes lifestyle behaviors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention. General areas affecting health status are identified. Suggestions are made as to how health-related behaviors, self-care and individual decisions contribute to health and influence dimensions of wellness. May be used for general education credit.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
PHIL 150: Ethical Reasoning
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
POSC 200: Global Politics (American and Global Perspectives)
An exploration of political, social and economic issues and structures existing within and between states in the contemporary global community. Students are introduced to alternative approaches to analyzing these issues in diverse cultures and political settings. May be used for general education credit.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SCOM 121: Fundamental Human Connection: Presentations
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SOCI 140: Microsociology: the Individual and Society (Sociocultural and Wellness)
This course introduces the discipline of sociology and the subfield of microsociology. We examine the mutually constitutive relationship between the individual and society. Questions addressed include: How does society influence how we think, feel, believe, act, and interact with others? What influences the self, social identity, shared social meanings, social roles, and one’s position in society? How do we, as individuals and as members of social groups, recreate, contest, and change society? May be used for general education credit.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SPAN 101: Elementary Spanish I
The fundamentals of Spanish through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Practice in pronunciation and development of comprehension. Students will work one hour per week in the language laboratory.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SPAN 102: Elementary Spanish II
This is the second course in the progress of learning the fundamentals of Spanish through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Practice in pronunciation and development of comprehension. Students will work one hour per week in the language laboratory. Prerequisite: SPAN 101.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SPAN 212: Intensive Intermediate Spanish
Credits: 3
Offered: Summer
SPAN 231: Intermediate Spanish I
A thorough review of grammar, vocabulary building, conversation, composition and reading. Prerequisite(s): SPAN 102 / SPAN 109 / SPAN 111 or sufficient score on FL Spanish Placement Exam. A student cannot earn credit for SPAN 231 after completing SPAN 232.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SPAN 232: Intermediate Spanish II
A thorough review of grammar, vocabulary building, conversation, composition and reading. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: SPAN 231 or sufficient score on FL Spanish Placement Exam.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
SPAN 300: Language for Living
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 301: Pop Culture through Language
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 307: History of Spanish Culture and Society
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 308: Latin American Cultures
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
SPAN 320: Culture and Communication in Context
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 322: Language Landscapes
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 330: Business Spanish
Study of commercial and technical vocabulary and trade customs in conjunction with practice in the art of commercial communication including interviews, letter writing and simultaneous interpretation. PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: SPAN 300.
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 335: A Journey through Literature
This course is designed to prepare students in literary analysis of the novel as well as short stories, poetry and drama. All necessary terminology will be studied. Mandatory for all Spanish majors before taking any other literature class. PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: SPAN 300.
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 365: Spanish for Medical Professionals I
This course focuses on the concepts, vocabulary and linguistic use of Spanish in the applied field of medicine for future practical application in the professional and volunteered contexts. Students will learn the cultural differences between the medical environment in the U.S. and the Hispanic countries. PREREQUISITE: SPAN 300.
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 435: Translation Strategies
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 465: Cinema and Literature
Studies of the structure of the cinema and its relations to literature. PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: SPAN 335.
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 476: Culture and Medicine in Latine America
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 486: Business and Society in Spain
This course investigates several sectors of the Spanish economy, including industry and business related to agriculture, food, wine, tourism, education, retail, and manufacturing in Spain. PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: SPAN 300.
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring, Summer
SPAN 490T: Special Studies in Spanish
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
SPAN 493: Business Spanish Internship
This course gives student the opportunity to integrate in the Spanish society through a JMU sponsored internship/field experience. Students will have the chance to work in local schools, universities, medical practices, or in the field of their choice. The experience will allow students to interact with the community through conversation and their assigned responsibilities. PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: SPAN 300.
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
SPAN 497: Spanish Internship
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
UNST 390: University Studies
This 1-credit course, in which all Semester in Spain students enroll, encourages critical engagement with Salamanca and broader Spanish environments. Students reflect on the meaning of their study abroad experience and its relationship to their academic, professional, and personal development.
Credits: 1
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
WRTC 103: Rhetorical Reading and Writing
Credits: 3
Offered: Fall
MSC 5731
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
