Spain

Social and Political Context of Spain (All Students) – syllabus
(IDST3000 / 3 credits)

This foundational course examines Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy and its unique “state of autonomies” system. Students analyze territorial diversity, regional nationalist movements (Catalan, Basque, Galician), and approaches to managing cultural differences within a democratic framework. The course explores how historical legacies shape contemporary political discourse, including new parties like Podemos and Vox, while examining language rights, territorial conflicts, and European integration. Through field visits to regional government institutions and meetings with politicians and scholars, students develop analytical tools for understanding how democracy, regionalism, and identity intersect in contemporary Spain while comparing Spain’s territorial management with similar challenges across Europe.

Elective Options, choose 1 of 4:

• Cross-Cultural Psychology in Spanish Context (Psychology Track)
• Mediterranean Cities and Climate Adaptation (Climate Track)
• Spanish Economics and European Integration (Economics Track)
• Spanish Cinema and Cultural Identity (Cinema Track)

Cross-Cultural Psychology in Spanish Context (Psychology Track)
(PSYC3060 / 3 credits)

This course provides essential knowledge of cross-cultural psychology principles for meaningful engagement with Spanish society and personal cultural adaptation. Students examine how cultural factors influence human behavior, development, and mental health, with attention to identity formation, family dynamics, and acculturation processes in multicultural Spain. Through experiential learning, field visits, and cultural immersion, students engage directly with Spanish communities, local psychologists, and cultural organizations. The course emphasizes practical application of acculturation theories, cross-cultural communication skills, and cultural competence development while analyzing how culture, psychology, and personal experience intersect in contemporary Spanish contexts.

Mediterranean Cities and Climate Adaptation (Climate Track) – syllabus
(EURO3060 / 3 credits)

Mediterranean cities face unprecedented climate challenges as the region warms 20% faster than the global average. This course examines innovative adaptation strategies using Seville as a primary case study—the first city globally to name and categorize heat waves. Students explore cutting-edge urban climate solutions including nature-based interventions, smart cooling technologies, and integrated water management systems. Through neighborhood climate assessments, community partnerships, and development of practical action plans, students investigate how cities transform from climate-vulnerable spaces into resilient urban environments through collaborative governance, evidence-based planning, and community engagement while addressing equity dimensions of climate adaptation.

Spanish Economics and European Integration (Economics Track) – syllabus
(ECON3060 / 3 credits)

Spain’s transformation from European periphery to EU core member represents one of the most successful cases of European integration and regional development. This course examines how Spanish regions leverage EU membership, structural funds, and single market access to build competitive economies while maintaining distinctive territorial identities. Using Sevilla and Andalucía as case studies, students explore how European integration shapes regional development strategies, cross-border collaboration, and knowledge transfer networks. Through engagement with EU funding mechanisms and policy makers, students analyze multi-level governance effectiveness integrating EU policy frameworks with Spain’s autonomic system and regional development initiatives.

Spanish Cinema and Cultural Identity (Cinema Track) – syllabus
(ARTS3060 / 3 credits)

Spanish cinema has emerged as one of Europe’s most innovative film industries, producing globally acclaimed directors like Pedro Almodóvar and Icíar Bollaín. This course examines how Spanish cinema reflects and shapes cultural identity, exploring the nation’s history through film from Franco dictatorship to contemporary Spain. Students analyze how filmmakers negotiate national identity, regional autonomy, gender roles, and Spain’s global position. Using Seville as a living laboratory, students engage with Andalusian film culture through screenings at historic theaters while exploring southern Spanish identity representation. The course emphasizes cinema as artistic expression and cultural document, revealing tensions shaping modern Spain.

Beginning Spanish I – syllabus
(SPAN1003 / 3 credits)

Beginning Spanish II – syllabus
(SPAN1503 / 3 credits)

Intermediate Spanish – syllabus
(SPAN2003 / 3 credits)

This course aims to develop sophisticated skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Spanish for political and cultural studies through traditional classroom instruction and field-based activities. While emphasis is placed primarily upon oral comprehension and developing conversational competencies (i.e. listening and speaking), reading and writing are also highlighted as crucial to the reinforcement of those skills.

Please note that students can choose to take another course from the four tracks instead of Spanish if desired.

Research Methods and Ethics – syllabus
(ANTH3500 / 3 credits)

This seminar introduces students to the conceptual and practical tools for gathering primary data and the knowledge and skills that are essential to forming constructive relationships with organizations and/or individuals, which are necessary for completing an academic project in the cultural context of Spain. The main emphasis is on the development of empirical tools and ethics of interactive research skills involving the collection of primary data. The seminar includes lectures on qualitative research methods for social movement study, politics, human rights work in the field. The seminar uses lectures, readings, and field assignments to prepare students to undertake field study in the cultural context of Spain in strict observance of research procedures involving human subjects and the regulatory ethical norms defined by the Study Abroad Review Board (SARB) and SIT’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The overall aim is to help students hone their experience-based learning processes and prepare them for the development of an Independent Study Project (ISP), which is largely based on data gathered from primary sources.

Independent Study Project or Internship
4 credits

In addition to taking the above courses, students will also need to enroll in one of the following two courses:

Independent Study Project – syllabus
(ISPR3000 / 4 credits)

The Independent Study Project (ISP) is a self-designed research project offering students the opportunity to undertake a personally significant and independent investigation, which highlights the regional and cultural reality that can only be encountered during a study abroad experience. The ISP is the academic component in which the student most directly applies the concepts, skills, tools, and techniques of experience-based learning articulated through the Research Methods and Ethics course and the thematic courses, while enabling students to further integrate their language skills and the contacts they have developed in the homestay and in the broader community. Each student will plan, develop, and independently undertake a research project, with the advice and guidance of the academic director and an ISP Advisor—a local academic and/or health or humanitarian aid professional. The topic of study may be anything of interest to the student, within the scope of the program and the immediate region, and is usually developed out of lectures, discussions, field visits, and educational excursions. The final project should provide material evidence of student capability in utilizing appropriate methodologies and in synthesizing experiences in the host culture. Students are expected to complete 120 hours of field-based (non-archival, non-library) research on their topic, submit a substantial written paper, and deliver an accompanying oral presentation. It is not uncommon for ISPs to strongly contribute to the student’s choice of subject for graduate studies or professional career.

OR

Internship and Seminar – syllabus
(ITRN-3000/ 4 credits)

This seminar consists of a four-week internship with either a local community/international organization, research center, business, or government agency. The aim of this internship is to provide students with valuable experience and to enhance their skills in a career/professional environment related to core program themes. The Internship and Seminar course includes various components that support the student through the internship learning process. They include meetings while at the internship, seminar lectures, discussions, and reflections, writing of progress reports, research and writing the final paper, and preparation for the final presentation.