Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Spanish Peninsular Literature 12th-18th Century (Face-to-Face)

SPAN 4210-01

Course: SPAN 4210-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Languages and Philosophy
CRN: 33339

Course Description

This course examines major authors, esthetic trends, and intellectual movements in Peninsular literature from the Middle Ages to the end of the eighteenth century. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): SPAN 3300 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Required texts will be available via Canvas and/or online. 

Learning Outcomes

1) The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the origin and development of some of the cultural complexities of Medieval through 18th-century Spain as seen through literature and history. 

2) Through literary and historical readings, the student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the historical and religious influences that informed Medieval and Early Modern Spanish identity. 

3) The student will improve their vocabulary in Spanish through close analytical readings and the study of cultural concepts, important literary, historical, and artistic figures. 

4) The student will increase their critical thinking and analytical skills by writing short literary analysis essays, engaging in daily group work, and participating in class discussion.

Course Requirements

Throughout the semester, students are responsible for completing the following assignments:

Exams (2)           30%
Essays (2)          25%
Homework          20%
Participation (2) 15%
Quizzes             10%

Course Outline

The course will be divided into two parts that correspond to the main literary/historical/cultural periods covered in the course:

Unit 1: The Spanish Medieval period

This unit will outline the historical role of Catholicism and Islam in the literary production of Medieval Spain. The central texts of study are: Historical introduction to the Spanish Medieval period, Cantar de Mío Cid, Milagros de Nuestra Señora, El libro del conde Lucanor + other relevant historical readings.

Unit 2: The Spanish Renaissance and Baroque
 
This unit will outline the shift from the role of religion as the central focus in Spanish society to an environment of discovery and imperialism as seen in European Humanism and colonization. The central texts of study are: Historical introduction to Imperial Spain, La Celestina, Lazarillo de Tormes, Noche oscura del alma, La Respuesta a Sor Filotea, La monja alférez + other relevant historical readings.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all class sessions and actively participate in all hours of instruction. You are allowed TWO unexcused absences during the entire semester (equivalent to one week of class) with no effect to your overall average. Additional absences (beyond two) are considered excessive and will be penalized by deducting 1% point per additional absence from your final grade. For example, if you finish the course with a 90% but have missed class 3 times, your final grade will be 89%. Note: while the first two absences will not affect your overall average, they can still have a negative impact on your participation grade.

Three late arrivals and/or early departures from class will be counted as one absence. While I do not require documentation to excuse the first two absences, I do ask for formal documentation if, due to your absence, you have missed an assignment deadline.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments must be submitted by the day and time indicated. No assignments will be accepted after the due date and time without a formal written excuse (ex: a health emergency, accommodations through the Disability Resource Center, etc.). If you are planning to miss a day of class for whatever reason, please make arrangements to submit all necessary assignments ahead of schedule if, due to your planned absence, you will be unable to submit on the actual due date.

If you have a family, medical, or personal emergency that makes completing an assignment by the due date and time impossible, please be sure to reach out to me via email as soon as you are able. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Translation Tools

The use of AI (ex: ChatGPT and others) and translation tools and services is strictly prohibited in this class. Any assignment submission deemed unacceptable due to the use of these tools will result in a zero with NO opportunity for resubmission. All work assigned in this course is appropriate for the 4000-level. As such, all assignments must be the student's own work without ANY help from these tools. 

Grading Scale

The following grading scale will be used for posting final grades:

 A   93-100
 A-  90-92
 B+ 87-89
 B   83-86
 B-  80-82
 C+ 77-79
 C   73-76
 C-  70-72
 D+ 67-69
 D   63-66
 D-  60-62
 F    59 and below

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.