Montevideo Courses – 2024 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 or Portuguese language plus electives in Latin American studies, business and gender studies. All students must complete a minimum of one language course, although we strongly encourage students to complete an entire language track.

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 (Both Semesters)

USAC offers intensive language courses grouped into tracks in which courses are taught sequentially (back-to-back) within one semester. 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. All students are required to spend the beginning of the fall and spring semesters taking the first course in a track, which allows for rapid acquisition of language and culture. Language courses are small and typically have a maximum enrollment of 15 students each. All language courses focus on the skills of speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

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

  These two advanced courses of Spanish have been 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

  These two advanced courses of Spanish have been 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

• Business Spanish

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish Cancelled

  This course is for students to improve and develop their knowledge and Spanish skills. Through the practice of speaking and listening to Spanish in different practical situations, as well as textual analysis and interpretation, class debates, newspaper articles, presentations, and interviews with local businesspeople and entrepreneurs, the students will gain new vocabulary and confidence to know and skillfully handle actual business realities not only in Uruguay but in Latin America. Therefore, as a result, the students will have the opportunity to acquire specific knowledge and language of businesses and local markets.

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

• Intercultural Negotiation

  Spring

  Spanish Speech Communications 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  The foundation of successful intercultural negotiation is advanced knowledge and usage of various tools. Typical negotiation strategies are not applicable in multi-cultural settings. Students will explore a variety of readings, case studies, and mock negotiations to acquire the theoretical knowledge and skills to successfully negotiate in multi-cultural settings.

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

• Spanish Conversation and Oral Skills

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 1-3 credits Taught in Spanish

  An optional three credit course addressed to students that have already completed two years of Spanish at the college level and want to start participating in the oral activities that the immersion setting facilitates.

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

• Survey of Latin American Literature II

  Spring

  Spanish 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish Cancelled

  This course constitutes, above all, an invitation to the student to enjoy Latin American literature. Students will become familiar with some samples of Modernism's most important literary works. In addition, students will analyze texts from a socio-cultural theoretical perspective to link text with society, culture, politics, and ideology of its time. In this sense, the analysis transcends a purely structuralist approach.

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

Business and Entrepreneurship

• Global Business Management: The Viticulture and Wine Industry

  Spring

  General Business Management Supply Chain Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the range of issues and pitfalls that must be recognized, assessed, and managed in the wine business industry, all while minimizing production shortfalls and dealing with day to day operational challenges.

  At the end of the semester, students will have a better understanding of wine, the wine industry, and the unique supply chain management protocols. Students will be fully immersed in the community of vineyards and wineries in the region. The course offers in-class lectures, guest speakers, and the opportunity to visit local vineyards and wineries in the countryside. There is also a special harvesting activity in the South Cone scheduled during the course. Students will be offered the opportunity to experience every step of the production process including, growing and care procedures, harvesting, using machinery and technology, bottling, and packaging. There will also be lessons on environmental impacts, and human resources.

  Prerequisite: introductory college-level business course

• Start Ups and Entrepreneurship

  Spring

  Entrepreneurship General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The entrepreneurial spirit is within each student and is not something that can be taught. Students will enhance the natural entrepreneurial spirit by providing practical skills training and exposing students to the process of turning ideas into products. Students will explore a variety of frameworks and concepts used for discovery, business, and management. Guest speakers are also scheduled throughout the course to ensure students gain valuable information regarding software, tourism, and the food industries.

• Viticulture Field Study

  Spring

  Horticulture and Viticulture 200-level 1 credit Taught in English

  This field study course provides students with an academic and cultural experience of visiting and learning from vineyards and local wine cellars in the countryside. The aim is to familiarize students with the rich wine culture and development of its industry in Uruguay.

  While visiting the locations, students will learn first-hand about the harvest, growing, and care procedures related to the grapes and vines, bottling, and the packaging process. Also related, they will learn about the business of winemaking, marketing, promotion, shipping, exporting, operations, logistics, etc. In addition, students will explore the differences between small and large families and corporate-run vineyards.

  The vineyards/companies we will visit were chosen purposely for their varying sizes, styles, focuses, and products to provide students with an authentic and thorough learning opportunity.

  This course has an additional fee

Latin American Studies, Gender Studies

• Contemporary Women's Activism

  Spring

  Sociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Women's activism has gained strong visibility in the past few years, particularly enhanced by the power of new technologies and the internet. This course introduces the notions of gender, women's movements, and digital activism, exploring the current strategies of feminists and women's movements to get together and fight against gender violence of all kinds, using the internet and social networks as powerful tools.

  We will study some international and regional examples (like the #NiUnaMenos movement, which started in Argentina and expanded throughout Latin America to fight against femicide and other self-organized activities). The course will have a solid practical basis, attending (if possible) meetings towards the organization of International Women's Day (March 8th). The interaction with some of the leading local groups of these new ways of activism will allow the students to discuss these topics firsthand.

• Dances of Latin America

  Spring

  Dance 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish

  This course is addressed to those students who enjoy dancing and wanting to learn about traditional Latin American dances like “Cha chachá”, “Son”, “Bachata” “Merengue”, “Salsa”, “Mambo”, “Tango” and so on. At the same time, the students have the chance to practice Spanish and become more acquainted with the Latin American culture.

  This course has an additional fee

• Social Dimensions of Health and Environment: Latin America

  Spring

  Latin American Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course evaluates and analyzes the political and social dimensions of health and the environment in Latin America, including the influences of poverty, race, and gender. Students will develop the ability to link environmental and health issues and the social power relationship.

• Sustainability in Latin America

  Spring

  Geography Natural Resources 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The environment is central to our lives, and maintaining it is one of the significant world challenges humanity faces. What are the risks? How do we recognize them? And what are some of the solutions to improve environmental sustainability? Topics include sustainable development concepts, limits of the planet, environmental policies, and alternatives beyond development.

• Latin America Today

  Spring

  Political Science Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in Spanish

  This course will cover topics in modern Latin American society, a region with a vast diversity of people, landscapes, nations, and ethnicities. The emphasis is placed on current challenges and milestones connected to social justice, corruption, democracy, and equality. Students will develop the ability to identify specific events that have taken place in Rio de la Plata in the last twenty years, analyze these events through various theoretical perspectives, and hypothesize its impact on future generations.

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

• Latin American Cuisine

  Spring

  Nutrition 200-level 1 credit Taught in English and Spanish

  The Latin American Cuisine class is intended for students who enjoy cooking and want to learn how to prepare traditional Latin American dishes like “ceviche”, “picadillo”, “empanadas”, “tres leches”, and so on. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to practice Spanish and become more acquainted with the Latin American culture.

  The program changes depending of the time of the year and the products available in the market. For that reason, the menu will vary every session. The dishes are based on beef, cereals, sea food products, homemade pasta, and dressings.

  This course has an additional fee

• LGBTQ+ Community in a Latin American Context

  Spring

  Sociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course introduces foundational concepts of human sexual diversity and cultural attitudes towards certain manifestations and interpretations of gender and sexuality. Students will explore how the regional and international human rights standards seek to define and guarantee the rights of LGBTQ+ persons, and to what extent the current global and Latin American contexts reflect this. Zooming into the regional LGBTQ+ movement, we will focus on the path to equality in Uruguay, with a direct dialogue with activists of a local LGBTQ+ organization and LGBTQ+ rights public institution.

• Rio de la Plata - People and Culture

  Spring

  Anthropology History 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course introduces the history and culture of the Rio de la Plata region, specifically Uruguay and Argentina, along with Brazil´s south.

  It examines:

  -to the 1850s: the pre-conquest native populations; the Spanish conquest and settlement; colonial institutions; British invasions; Spanish-Portuguese rivalry in the region; the independence movements.

  -from the 1850s to the 1950s: European immigration waves; development of the export economies; democratization; creation of Latin America’s first social welfare state in Uruguay.

  -from the 1950s to present the impact of the Cuban Revolution on the Río de la Plata; the Tupamaro urban guerrillas in Uruguay; and contemporary issues.

  The course also examines the foundation of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, along with the influences of European populations on the cultural patterns that define the culture of Rio de la Plata. Regional worldwide renowned topics such as the Gauchos, the Mate infusion, Tango music, Asado, and Football (soccer) are also addressed, studied, and presented from a historical-cultural point of view.

• Rio de la Plata Field Study

  Spring

  Anthropology Other Foreign Language 200-level 1 credit Taught in English Cancelled

  This field study course is designed to provide students with an academic and cultural experience of visiting and learning from direct experience. In addition, the aim is to familiarize students with the rich culture and history of the region and Uruguay.

  While visiting different country sites (like the capital city Montevideo or a smaller city or town), museums, iconic buildings, and classic neighborhoods, and through the rich interaction with local people, students will learn first-hand about history and traditions and how the previous explain culture nowadays.

  The places/sites we will visit will be chosen purposely for their relevant historical and cultural significance to provide students with an authentic and thorough learning opportunity.

To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

Field Studies

Optional field studies are an excellent way to deepen your academic experience abroad. During your 1-credit field study course, you will participate in carefully planned excursions that allow you to explore the cultural, historical, and natural features of Uruguay. These overnight field experiences, combined with required academic components such as readings, research, and written assignments, will increase your understanding of the sites and locales visited.

Internships

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

For more information about placement options, see the Montevideo internship page.

Cultural Enrichment Workshops

Enhance your studies through non-credit workshops designed to provide opportunities for deeper engagement with unique aspects of Uruguayan life and culture.

• Art Workshop

  Spring

  Museums are story capsules. Not only are they places where artists' work live, but they are also spaces where different stories are told. Sometimes that includes the history of country (recognizing that perspective and position are important), or the life of an artist. Museums are educational institutions as much as cultural institutions. This workshop will consist of visiting different museums and understanding the goal/mission of each museum. We will explore questions such as, "what is a museum's relationship and/or duty to society to provide accurate and inclusive information?" We will talk about the different types of museums that exist in Uruguay - from artistic, to cultural to social and political, and the way they bridge that connection through their exhibitions.

  (non-credit opportunity)
• Discovering Montevideo through Photography

  Spring

  Description not available at this time.
  (non-credit opportunity)