Advanced Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture in Oviedo
Advanced Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture in Oviedo
Language Requirement: 2.5 years
Academic Standing by Program Start: Freshman or above
Location: Europe, Spain
GPA: 3.0
Program Overview
This four-week program will allow students to fully immerse themselves in the beautiful city of Oviedo while studying the languages and literatures of Spain with Professor David Wacks from the University of Oregon’s Spanish Department. Oviedo is located in Spain’s northern green coast at the foot of the Aramo mountains in the region of Asturias. It has a reputation for being one of the safest and cleanest cities in Spain, full of pedestrian streets, sidewalk cafes, markets and cider houses.
Students will enroll in two 300 level Spanish courses taught by Professor Wacks. Both courses can be applied toward the Spanish minor or major at the University of Oregon. Courses will be held at the University of Oviedo campus and will include ample opportunities to explore the course content through field trips to locations in and around Oviedo.
As a complement to the course content, students will live with host families located within walking distance to campus. Host families offer the ideal opportunity to deepen the immersive experience and expand language learning.
Scholarship Opportunity: Applicants to this program will have the option to apply for a program-specific scholarship. Five awards of $1,000 each are available. If interested, please refer to the Scholarship Essay in the program application, and speak with your GEO advisor if you have questions. Award recipients are chosen based on their scholarship essay, overall program application related to academic merit, and financial need. The due date for the Scholarship Essay is February 15, 2023.
Check out the program's Instagram account for past and current photos of group activities and Oviedo: https://www.instagram.com/uoinoviedo/
Dates and Deadlines
| Term | Year | Priority Deadline | Deadline | Arrival Date | Departure Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 2023 | 2/15/2023 | 3/15/2023 | 7/30/23 | 8/26/23 |
Academic Details
You will enroll in two 300 level courses taught by Professor David Wacks for a total of 8 quarter or 5 semester credits. Courses are taught in Spanish.
The first course, SPAN 341: Hispanic Culture through Literature (900-1600), will introduce students to a selection of texts written in the various languages of the Iberian Peninsula (Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, Castilian, Catalan, Asturian, Portuguese) from 900-1600 in their literary, artistic and historical contexts.
The second course, SPAN 399: Asturian Culture, will study Asturian History, Art History, Food, Folklore, and Mythology.
Both courses satisfy the University of Oregon Spanish Minor "Advanced Work" credits taken in residence in Eugene, because they are taught by a University of Oregon faculty member. Students must have completed two of SPAN 301, 303, 305, 308 or their equivalents at partner institutions. Students who have completed two years of language courses can participate in the Spanish Language in Oviedo summer session I prior to this program to satisfy this requirement.
Course Equivalencies
UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.
Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.
Additional requirements
Students must have completed two courses of SPAN 301, 303, 305, 308 or their equivalents at partner institutions. Students who have completed two years of languages courses can participate in the Spanish Language in Oviedo summer session I immediately prior to this program to satisfy this requirement.
Application process
The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff and the program's faculty leader will review your application after the final application deadline. Acceptance decisions will be communicated to applicants at that time.
Acceptance will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your overall GPA, cumulative GPA in Spanish courses, recommendation from a Spanish course instructor, and the application short statement (essay).
Faculty and Staff
Professor Wacks jointed the faculty of the University of Oregon in 2003. He is an expert in medieval Spain. In 2013 he was visiting faculty in the GEO Oviedo Program for Spring Semester, and liked Asturias so much he returned to teach faculty-led summer programs in Oviedo in 2014, 2015, and 2019. You can read about his research at davidwacks.uoregon.edu.
Housing Description
Homestay with a Spanish Family
This is an ideal way to be immersed in Spanish culture and language. Homestay families provide you with three meals a day and light laundry. Each homestay situation in unique and the program cannot guarantee any particular configurations. Host families range from a mother and father with young children, to an older, single host mother. Any arrangement is possible. Please note that regardless of the household composition, you will have access to not only your host, but likely to their extended family and network in Oviedo.