Academic Focus
The Spanish Culture & Society Program is designed for students of all language levels who want to learn about the culture, business, history and society of Spain in an interactive setting. Choose your courses from a diverse liberal arts curriculum, offered in English and Spanish, either exploring new areas of study or continuing to take courses in your major. Elective courses are offered in subject areas such as art history, marketing, cultural studies, and political science. All electives are taught in English. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to study Spanish language, focusing on grammar, composition and conversation.
Summer students have the option of enrolling in a one or two course option. If you enroll in the one course option, you will enroll in one elective taught in English. If you enroll in the two course option, you will enroll in one elective taught in English and then select a language course or another English elective for your second course.
No matter which option you choose, this program gives you the opportunity to discover the soul of Spain using the entire city of Madrid as your “campus.” You will be fully immersed in Madrid society, enjoying direct interaction with people from all over the world, understanding the meaning of a cosmopolitan city and experiencing Madrid’s past and present through its monuments, streets and museums.
All language courses and electives meet for a total of 45 contact hours and are generally worth 3 credits in the US semester system. Students enrolled in the 1 course option will earn 3 credits whereas students in the 2 course option will earn 6 credits. Note, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
Classes meet 4 to 5 days a week for approximately 2 ½ hours each session. Classes may be held in the afternoon or morning and class schedules will not be finalized until students arrive onsite.
Course Registration
Students must register for courses prior to departure for Madrid. A course selection form will be sent to you upon acceptance to the program and should be turned in with your confirmation deposit, 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.
Course registrations are considered final when submitted to CEA. The only adjustment that will be made to course registrations are for language courses and electives taught in Spanish. You will be given a language placement exam on the first day of class. If you do not test into the level anticipated, your registration for language courses will be adjusted. 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.
