Semester and Academic Year in Alcalá De Henares, Spain

Spring 2010
Jan 7- April 30

Academic Program
The academic program is designed to accommodate the needs, interests and qualifications of the individual students while taking advantage of the environment to increase students' facility in the Spanish language and heighten their awareness of Spanish culture through direct contact.  Students may elect to study for one semester or for the entire academic year.

Students may enroll for 12 semester credits per semester in the following courses: 

SPAN 251  Intermediate Conversation*

SPAN 325  Intermediate Grammar and Writing 

SPAN 330  Intermediate Conversation 

SPAN 340  Phonetics 

SPAN 350  Readings in Literary Genres 

SPAN 371A Spanish for Business and Economics

SPAN 400  Survey of Spanish Literature 

SPAN 401  Survey of Latin American Literature 

SPAN 425  Advanced Grammar and Composition 

SPAN 430 Spanish Civilization 

SPAN 435 Cervantes 

SPAN 449A Topics in Hispanic Literature 

SPAN 450  Conversation and Writing Skills

SPAN 452  Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics**

*Fall Semester Only
**Spring Semester Only

Other courses may also be available, check with Professor Berigan. berigans@email.arizona.edu

Course offerings are subject to sufficient enrollment.  Acceptance into the program will be based on academic standing and approval by program director.  Each student must be interviewed by Professor Berigan who will also verify the selection of classes. 

Classes and Group Activites
Classes will be held Monday through Thursday at the University of Alcalá.  This allows students ample time for individual travel around Spain.  Several group excursions are also planned.

Program Director
Juan Carlos Rivas

rivasj@email.arizona.edu

Location
Alcalá de Henares is the birthplace of Cervantes, the epitome of Spanish and World Literature. Many other masters of Spanish literature such as Lope de Vega, Nebrija, Juan de la Cruz and Quevedo studied and taught here. Most of the Royal Envoys to the American continent also received their training here. 

Alcalá is a historic city, dating back to the Roman city of Complutum. It was later named Alcalá, a "fortress" by the Arabs whose wall still stands. It had the best Renaissance urban design, still visible and palpable today. 16th-century churches have turned into restaurants, and 17th-century convents house the Law School and the College of Economics. The old has been renovated and the new bustles with modern facilities and life. 

Alcalá, with a student population of 26,000, offers cultural activities, theaters, movies, shopping malls, lectures, concerts and an active night life. Alcalá is only 25 km from Madrid, the capitol and heart of Spain. Buses and  trains run every 10-15 minutes right into the center of the city and to the citys theaters, museums, cafes, shops and discos concert halls. 

Alcalá, still a warm, walkable city like Madrid, a great cosmopolitan capitol, offers you a unique opportunity to experience the diversity of Spanish culture. Being in the center of the country and with the excellent train connections, Alcalá is an ideal starting point for all kinds of day trips to fascinating places such as Segovia, Toledo, Aranjuez, Sigüenza, El Escorial and is within easy communication and travel to any region and corner of the country. 

Housing
Students will be housed with Spanish families in Alcalá. Each student will have a private room, individual bathroom, laudry service and three meals per day. All housing services are included in the program cost.

Program Costs
Program costs are approximately $14,000 per semester.  This includes all academic and tuition fees, room and full board with a Spanish family and the expenses for group activities.  The Program fee includes matriculation in 12 semester hours of course work. There will be an additional charge for students wishing to enroll in more than 12 credits. 

The program fee does not include airfare.  Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Spain.  Participants pay all fees at The Office of Study Abrad and Student Exchange.  Some additional money will be necessary for personal expenses and for the purchase of textbooks.  Program price, dates and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances. 

Requirements

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) 
• Completion of Spanish 202, 251 or appropriate placement on standardized test or approval of the Director 
• Participants must take 12 units of credit 
• Two letters of recommendation 
• Interview with the Study Abroad Director or the Program DirectorBerigan
• $80 application fee 
• Proof of insurance coverage