Advanced Humanities & Social Sciences
2007 Spring Semester - Academics

Academic Focus

The Advanced Humanities & Social Sciences Program at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) offers you the opportunity to acquire and improve your Spanish language skills, while increasing your knowledge about the Spanish culture through electives offered in both English and Spanish. During the semester, you will enroll in one language course and up to three electives, instructed in either Spanish or English. Your electives will help you gain insight into the history, literature and sociology of Spain while allowing you to earn credits toward your major or graduation requirements.

This program also features an Integrated Studies option, where students may select up to two courses from Pompeu Fabra University's regular course listing. This will allow you to experience partial immersion into the Spanish university system by taking content courses with host national students. Classes at Pompeu Fabra are taught in a wide variety of subject areas, including History, Literature, Biology, Computer Science, Law, and Political Science. Most courses are instructed in Spanish, though some may also be instructed in English. Those students planning to take courses in Spanish must be at the advanced language level.

Spanish language courses meet for a total of 90 contact hours each semester, and are generally worth 6 credits in the U.S. semester system. Liberal Arts electives (both at UPF and the Global campus) meet for 45 contact hours, and are generally worth 3 credits in the US semester system. UPF integrated courses range in contact hours and recommended credits, though most meet for 45 - 60 contact hours, or 3 - 4 credits, per semester. All students must enroll in a total of 3 - 4 courses each semester. Year students are not required to take a second Spanish language course in the spring, but may do so if they wish.

Program Goals

Students will acquire, entirely immersed within a Spanish University, level-appropriate Spanish skills in grammar, aural and reading comprehension, and oral and written expression. They will also develop and apply appropriate cognitive, behavioral, affective, ethical, intercultural and communicative skills for analyzing and evaluating targeted cultural concepts and issues in the Humanities and Social Science fields while simultaneously identifying and articulating salient cultural differences in the host country’s approach to such issues, all considered within the larger context of globalization. Students successfully achieving these objectives will strengthen communicative and language skills, develop cognitive abilities, and acquire targeted global learning.

Global Career Development Certificate

The optional certificate program consists of a 1 credit Career Development Seminar and Externship where students are paired with a professional career mentor who works in an industry aligned with the student’s major. The components of the certificate are designed to engage students in learning about career development and global competence, with an emphasis upon reflection on learning “in action” while participating in study abroad. Students learn first-hand what it means to be globally competent through reflection upon the interaction between culture and communication and the global workplace. If accepted, a Global Career Development Certificate program fee of $250 applies which provides

• Dedicated time with a career mentor
• Coaching and feedback on career preparation including assistance developing a resume and cover letter to effectively showcase your study abroad experience
• Connection with peers with similar career interests
• Opportunities to build an international network, practice networking skills, and enhance global competency to better compete for jobs/graduate school entry
• Guidance on how to meaningfully articulate your study abroad expe

Schedule Summary

Course schedule at the UPF varies according to the different offers. Spanish courses meet every day, Monday thru Friday during the first three weeks and Monday thru Thursday during the rest of the semester. Humanities courses designed for international students only (HESP courses) meet twice per week and classes are typically held Monday thru Thursday. On the other hand, integrated courses with local students meet 2-3 times per week Monday thru Thursday. Some integrated courses may also meet on Fridays. Class timetables will be released approximately three months before the program closure date. Your schedule of classes at the Global Campus will be posted as soon as it becomes available, and may not be available until you arrive onsite.

Beginning Spring 2013, for students taking a course at the Global Campus, Semester classes at the CEA Global Campus meet twice per week Classes are typically held Monday through Thursday although field studies and other required fieldwork may occur on Fridays. Classes are offered at various times throughout the day.

Course Registration

Students must register for courses prior to departure for Barcelona. A course selection form will be sent to you upon acceptance to the program and should be turned in with your program confirmation, or no later than the application closure date for your program. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so it is in your best interest to submit your course selection form as soon as possible.

You will be given a language placement exam on the first day of class. Though you will register for courses prior to your departure for Spain, final registration for language classes will not take place until after your language level has been assessed. Note that registration in your electives is final, regardless of your final language placement. You will receive further information regarding registration deadlines after acceptance to the program. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to departure. Any changes to your course selection after registrations have been finalized must be coordinated through the onsite director.