Bilbao / Getxo Courses – 2025 Spring

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Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Academics

Students may enroll in 12 to 18 credits per semester comprised of Spanish language plus electives in international business, literature and cultural studies. Although language study is not required, it is strongly recommended as it will increase your understanding of Spanish culture and equip you with language and cross-cultural skills that will deepen your study abroad experience and facilitate your day-to-day life in Spain.

Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

Spanish Language Tracks

USAC offers intensive language courses grouped into tracks in which courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. In Bilbao/Getxo, most tracks are composed of three courses. You are not obligated to take all three courses. You may take only the first two courses of a track or the first course alone. In this way, you can accommodate your language study to allow for greater flexibility with business or elective courses. If you have already taken the first course in a track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it to be prepared for success at the next level. Language course sections are small with an average size of nine students each.

Language Courses

• Elementary Spanish I

  Spring

  Spanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

• Elementary Spanish II

  Spring

  Spanish 100-level 4 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Intermediate Spanish I

  Spring

  Spanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Intermediate Spanish II

  Spring

  Spanish 200-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to help learners of Spanish to develop basic communicative competence and critical thinking skills. It offers an intensive study and practice of the productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The main emphasis of this track is on communication.

  Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Spanish Composition I

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  The focus of this course is to improve learners´ written abilities through the analysis and the production of different types of texts. In addition, several grammatical topics will be reviewed in order to enhance and refine the learners´ grammatical competence.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Spanish Composition II

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  The focus of this course is to improve learners´ written abilities through the analysis and the production of different types of texts. In addition, several grammatical topics will be reviewed in order to enhance and refine the learners´ grammatical competence.

  Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Advanced Spanish I

  Spring

  Spanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.

  Prerequisite: six semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Advanced Spanish II

  Spring

  Spanish 400-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed for students who may manage in daily tasks and interactions, but still need to improve their control over different oral and written registers. In addition, these courses will offer them the opportunity to enhance their vocabulary in specific and technical areas, and to improve grammatical accuracy in their oral and written expression.

  Prerequisite: seven semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

Spring Semester

Language and Literature Electives

• Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course is designed to improve the knowledge, listening, and expressive capabilities of language

  students. Students will not only learn necessary vocabulary to express themselves in daily situations, but

  they will also learn to navigate more complex situations through conversation and free discussion of

  contemporary topics, using visual material, listening comprehension exercises, articles, and other course

  materials. The objective of the course is to facilitate the acquisition of language necessary to express

  oneself in daily situations.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent, or instructor approval

• Survey of Spanish Literature II

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course examines the development of Spanish literature through the analysis of various literary movements and the study of the most important authors of each period from the 18th through the 20th century. Texts from different literary genres are selected, which demonstrate underlying ideas, the idiosyncrasies of the Spanish people, and universal values, as well as the literary characteristics of the works themselves.

  Prerequisite: five semesters of college-level Spanish; students who have completed second-year Spanish with strong grades may be considered with home university approval

International Business Studies

• Consumer Behavior

  Spring

  General Business Marketing 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This class will distinguish between Consumer Influences—including Culture, Life-stage Demographics, Personality and Beliefs—and Organizational Influences—including Branding, Logos, Slogans, Service Marks, the Marketing Mix Decisions [4P’s] and Perceptions of Quality—on Consumer Behavior (CB is the three-step process of Obtaining, Consuming, and Evaluating Products and Services).

  The Disposal, Resale and/or Recycling will be considered from the “green” marketing perspective and the legislative efforts. After measuring the feelings and attitudes of perspective customers towards new features or innovations marketers attempt to steer them faster through the Consumer Decision Process with specially designed advertising based on appeals to particular and “personal” Values.

  Prerequisite: Principles of Marketing and Microeconomics

• Business Finance

  Spring

  Finance General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Besides corporate decision-making from the CFO’s perspective regarding their firm’s financing arrangements—the debt/equity mix, e.g., bonds, loans or stock—, we will evaluate what the retail landscape has to offer the individual investor thinking of retirement and personal portfolio decisions/weights. Business/Financial management topics include the importance of cash flow—especially DCF, the Time Value of Money, Net Present Value and the volatility of returns given past—and recent—market history. Currency (Exchange Rate Risk)—the FX market—will also be considered. Discussion of business ethics will be timely and frequent and well.

• Economic and Political Institutions of the European Union

  Spring

  Economics History Political Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  From the Middle Ages on, many thinkers proposed the union of Europe. But only after the Second World War, the material conditions existed for making it possible. This course shows why and how this attempt has been so successful. Students will learn some historical data and conceptual tools (coming from Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, and Law) for a better understanding of the European integration process.

• International Marketing

  Spring

  International Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course is designed to enable students to develop marketing strategies and plans in and across a range of different international market environments. While extending students' marketing and strategic skills obtained in earlier courses into a global context, students also develop knowledge and skills in international marketing processes.

  Prerequisite: Principles of Marketing and Macro/Microeconomics

• Management and Leadership

  Spring

  Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course covers theories and principles of management and leadership. This includes the roles and responsibilities of a manager, as well as different ways to lead and motivate people. Research and discussion of ethics in leadership will also be explored. This is a seminar-based course examining management and leadership theory and research, emphasizing the development of personal and interpersonal skills through teamwork. Students will work with videos, books, and presentations that will be analyzed, shared, and discussed throughout the whole period.

• Operations Management

  Spring

  General Business Management Supply Chain Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course develops students' abilities to effectively analyze the decision-making concepts of operations planning, implementation, and control, aids in understanding these concepts. It provides a forum for written communication concerning operations management topics.

  The topics to be covered in this course include forecasting, customer service, and inventory management, just-in-time production, supply chain management, and quality assessment and improvement in both services and manufacturing.

• Spanish Business Culture: Field Experience and Case Studies

  Spring

  General Business Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  In this course comprised of seven in-person site visits, students will learn first-hand about the business culture of and management styles in Spain through a practical, real-world analysis of the ways business processes are designed and implemented. Students will have the unique opportunity to learn first-hand how management is practiced in a diverse selection of business types in Spain, including industrial, financial, service, start-up, state owned, public, cooperative, and sports companies as well as non-profit organizations. This allows them to compare, not only the ways of doing business in Spain, but how business is conducted in a variety of different Spanish business models and provide insight into the different ways critical aspects of business, such as human resources, investment, indebtedness, customer service, technology, internationalization, etc., are understood in different types of companies in Spain. The profiles of the companies to be visited have been selected so that students can observe a wide variety of management styles and perspectives.

  Prerequisite: Introductory coursework in management recommended.

  This course had an additional fee

Cultural Studies

• Architecture and Society: Bilbao

  Spring

  Art History 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course provides an enriching exploration of Bilbao's architectural landscape and cultural heritage as we delve into the intricate layers of history, innovation, and urban renewal that define this dynamic city nestled in the heart of the Basque Country. Students are invited to unravel the stories behind Bilbao's architectural gems. From the iconic curves of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to the hidden charms of the Casco Viejo, this course explores the diverse influences that have shaped Bilbao's evolving identity and the visionaries behind the city's most celebrated structures. From the bold statements of contemporary architects to the enduring beauty of historical landmarks, each building will tell a story of resilience, adaptation, and transformation allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of how architecture reflects and shapes the cultural fabric of Bilbao.

• Basque and Iberian Cultures

  Spring

  Anthropology Basque Studies 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course helps students acquire a better knowledge and understanding of the Basque culture: its people, history, traditions, beliefs, contemporary life, and politics. It traces the history of Basque and Iberian peoples, analyzing different aspects that led to the contemporary land of the Basques. It provides a critical description of the different elements that constitute the Basque culture and the current society. This course will also cover different aspects related to contemporary life in the Basque Country, such as politics, gastronomy, festivals, or elements of Basque popular life that had a big impact on its traditions (the importance of the sea, the land, or the Basque house, among others). The course is intended to provide the students with critical-thinking skills, as well as with a thorough understanding of the Basque culture. All this is expected to broaden the students´ interests in other cultures while, offering them a different contrastive vision of their own culture.

• Basque Cuisine

  Spring

  200-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish

  This course is designed to teach Basque and other popular regional recipes, as well as tips, serving ideas, and a bit of etiquette and customs. The lessons are arranged by meal, so that one can easily translate the lessons to real life cooking situations.

  In addition to learning how to make appealing appetizers and entrees, students take several classes in baking and pastries. They learn tricks and tips that can be used in daily life. Students will spend time chopping onions, peeling potatoes, cutting meat, kneading dough and beating eggs, all of it under the supervision of the cooks who can teach them the tricks of the trade and correct any mistakes. Generally, classes include one to two hours of explanations along with a practical hands-on component in the school (fully equipped and stocked kitchens where students cook).

  This course has a maximum capacity of 14.

  This course has an additional fee

• Spanish Culture and Civilization

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course will develop student understanding of topics related to contemporary Spanish culture and civilization. Students will build a strong theoretical and historical foundation to effectively analyze life in Spain in the present, and the changes that have taken place in society related politics, religion, economy, and society.

  Prerequisite: four semesters of college-level Spanish, or equivalent

• Surfing

  Spring

  100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish

  This course is co-produced by USAC and “Quiksilver Surf Eskola”. The number of meeting sessions will be determined on site considering tides and weather conditions. The class meets usually 10 to 12 times for two and a half hours.

  FALL:

  In order to take full advantage of the mild weather conditions and water temperature before onset of the winter, all surfing sessions will take place during the first months of the Fall semester, i.e. from September through October. This means that class will sometimes meet two times a week. Also, the programmed order of sessions is subject to changes for reasons beyond our control, such as inclement weather, very big waves, strong rip currents, etc.

  SPRING:

  All surfing sessions will take place during the last months of the spring semester, i.e. towards the end of March until mid-May. This means that class will sometimes meet two times a week. Also, the programmed order of sessions is subject to changes for reasons beyond our control, such as inclement weather, very big waves, strong rip currents, etc.

  This course has an additional fee

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Internship

For eligibility requirements and application information, see the USAC internship page.

For more information about placement options, see the Bilbao/Getxo internship page.

• Internship

  Spring

  Internships 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  USAC skills-based internships abroad are designed to complement a student’s program of study while providing a structured work or field experience under the direction of a professional supervisor and with the oversight and support of an on-site USAC internship coordinator.

  USAC internships facilitate the academic and professional development of students through:

  1) the practical application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a professional work environment.

  2) the further development of practical competencies essential to the ongoing work of the placement site.

  3) the cultivation of a network of professional contacts.

  USAC internships will expose students to the workplace culture, norms, and expectations of their respective placement site and host country, deepening cross-cultural understanding and helping students develop intercultural communication and language skills in an internationally focused organization or other professional work setting.

  Through the consistent participation in the processes and practices of a professional field, students will acquire a working knowledge of that field and will apply that learning to their own career and academic choices and goals.

  This course has an additional fee

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