This is the first course of a two-semester sequence of Spanish for Health Care. Students are introduced to basic principles of Medical Spanish necessary for working in the field of medicine and health care. Emphasis on developing conversational and written skills needed to deal with medical situations through lectures, role-playing, dialogues, and cultural immersion activities. Also required is a community based service-learning project. Designed for nursing, psychology, biology, biomedical engineering, social work students; previous experience with Spanish is required. Students must earn a grade of a B- or higher to matriculate into SPAN 108. Native or heritage speaker should enroll in SPAN 207.
Satisfies Free Elective requirement.
Prerequisite: Language placement exam.
Offered: Fall, Summer-online

This course is a continuation of SPAN 107 Spanish for Health Care I, with intensive practice of communication, examination and interview skills of practical medical situations. Designed to provide students with the linguistic and cultural competence skills necessary to communicate with Spanish speaking patients and their families in a clinical setting. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of Hispanic cultural attitudes as they relate to health care. Also included are role-playing exercises, video and audio assignments, and a service learning project. Geared for nursing and health care related students. Basic knowledge of Spanish required. Students must earn a grade of a B- or higher to matriculate into SPAN 207. Native or advanced speakers should enroll in SPAN 207.
Satisfies Language Requirement or Free Elective.
Offered: Fall, Summer-online

This is a faculty lead 8-day international clinical practicum in Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, or Nicaragua. Students apply their nursing, health care, and medical Spanish skills acquired at Catholic University at public and private health clinics that focus on patient-and family-centered care. Students are supervised by certified medical preceptors (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, EMTs) to provide quality care to underprivileged individuals with limited resources. Students also visit schools to assist with the administration of basic care and community-based health education. As part of the Spanish language immersion, students participate in interactive discussions with community members about dental hygiene, diabetes, nutrition, disease and injury prevention. This international clinical experience allows students to utilize their knowledge and skills, as well as develop hands-on experiences that will help them achieve career and educational goals. Students receive 40 international clinical practicum hours of experience on their transcript.
Prerequisites: SPAN 107 and SPAN 108 and consent of the Director of Spanish for Health Care.
Offered: Spring, Summer-online

This is the first course of a two-semester sequence of Advanced Spanish for Health Care, with continued practice of conducting medical assessments in Spanish, such as health encounters, history and physical assessments. This course includes structural review and realistic, practical dialogues dealing with situations that medical personnel encounter in the workplace. There is a strong focus on developing oral and listening skills for fluid conversation through role-playing exercises, video and audio assignments, and a service learning experience. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which Hispanics perceive health and illness and respond to various symptoms, diseases and treatments in Spanish. Designed for nursing students including other fields such as psychology, biochemistry, biology and social work. Previous experience with Spanish required. Students must earn a grade of a B- or higher to matriculate into SPAN 208.
Satisfies Language Requirement or Free Elective.
Prerequisite: SPAN 108 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall

This course is a continuation of Advanced Spanish for Health Care I which emphasizes oral communication, medical terminology, and cross-cultural awareness for students whose profession requires a working knowledge of Spanish. Students learn to communicate in Spanish effectively with patients and families through active listening, nonverbal and presentation skills. Emphasis is placed on understanding the various language barriers that may occur with Spanish speaking patients and their effect on health care. Various reading and multimedia materials are used as a starting point for conversation related to Hispanic cultural traditions, health beliefs and values, including traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM). Also included are roleplaying exercises, video and audio assignments, and a service learning experience. Designed for nursing or health care students; previous experience with Spanish is required.
Satisfies Humanity or Free Elective requirement.
Prerequisite: SPAN 207 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Spring

This course stresses sensitivity to and respect for cultural, ethnic and spiritual diversity in a health care setting. The objective of this online course is to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity skills that will help students provide competent and compassionate care to Hispanic populations. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which Hispanics/Latinos perceive health and illness and respond to various symptoms, diseases and treatments thorough journal entries, projects, and discussions with their professor and peers. This includes considering the patient’s education, financial resources and alternative or complementary medical practices factors on patient care. This is a weekly on-line asynchronous course where students proceed through the material at their own pace within defined time limits. The course is taught in English and there will be nuances of Spanish to better explain the cultural material. Available to undergraduate, graduate students. Satisfies Humanity or Free Elective requirement.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Offered Online: Spring and Summer

This course is the first part of a two-course sequence designed for heritage speakers and advanced level students of Spanish who have a background in the health sciences. It presents a foundational and practical approach to working in bilingual settings (hospitals, clinics, and health care organizations.) It will acquaint students with standard Spanish terminology and dialects and their equivalents in English, which are likely to occur in health care settings. It examines patient-provider communication through written and oral materials. The practical, legal and ethical dimensions involved in bilingual and multilingual health care communication are also covered.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent.
Offered: TBA

This course is the second part of a two-course sequence designed for heritage speakers and advanced level students of Spanish who have a background in the health sciences. It consists of written communication techniques and role-play activities geared toward education and patient care from childhood to advanced years. Includes a service-learning component.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent.
Offered: TBA

Provides an overview of traditional and innovative strategies for written and sight translation of different kinds of texts and basic concepts of translation theory. Interpretation and analysis focus on texts dealing with contemporary economic, political, social, environmental, and cultural considerations.
Prerequisites: 204 or 211.
Offered: TBA

This health specific internship is designed for students to apply their knowledge of Medical Spanish and cultural competence learned in the class room with practical application in a professional health care setting. Students undertake a minimum of 100- hours of fully immersed experiential learning, typically with a hospital, clinic, non-profit, bilingual school or community-based organization where Spanish is used. Students gain valuable applied experience and insight into a professional career path, while at the same time offer a valuable service to the community. This internship experience will provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Instructional methods include: bimonthly meetings with faculty advisor, journals, reports, dossier, presentation, and a reaction paper. Advanced level Spanish required. Satisfies Humanity or Free Elective requirement.
Prerequisite: consent of the Director of Spanish for Health Care.
Offered: Spring, Summer-online

An introduction to the understanding and appraisal of social welfare policies and programs in the United States and the historical and contemporary forces--primarily political, social, and economic--that have shaped their development. The social work profession's value commitments, its role in the formulation of social policy, and its tradition of social action/social reform. Social justice for all needy Americans is a dominant theme of this survey course.
Prerequisites: SSS 101, SSS 223, SSS 225
Offered: Fall

Utilizing a strengths perspective, this course examines the resilience of populations-atrisk, particularly people of color, persons with disabilities, and gays and lesbians. It focuses on diversity in a global environment, including issues of discrimination, institutional racism and economic deprivation. It intends to enhance/develop selfawareness and sensitivity for a culturally competent social work practice.
Offered: 326- Spring; 570-Fall, Spring, Summer

An in-depth study of the role that biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors play in our physical and mental health. Includes analyses of the interaction between physical health and psychological well-being. Health issues are discussed within the context of multi-culturalism and demographics.
Prerequisites: PSY 201.
Offered: Spring.

How do neighborhoods, cities, states, and nations influence psychological development? What is the role of organizations (such as mental health agencies, hospitals, community centers, schools, and places of worship) in promoting positive mental health? Conversely, what features in the community lead to mental health difficulties? Further, what are scientifically validated or promising approaches among community interventions in mental health? These questions and more will be addressed in this course. An emphasis will be placed on the interplay between practice, policy, and research.
Offered: Fall

A survey of peoples of Latin American heritage in the United States, particularly Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cuban Americans and new immigrants from Central and South America, with emphasis on ethnohistory, ethnography, current trends, and projects in the Washington community.
Offered: Fall