Course Description
Commercial Spanish and the environment of the Spanish-speaking business world. Business vocabulary, basic business and cultural concepts, and situational practice. Topics include economic geography of Spanish-speaking countries, company organization, management, banking, investment, personnel, office systems, goods and services, marketing, and letter writing. Given in Spanish. Business students should check with their advisor for prerequisites.
Athena Title
Business Spanish
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SPAN 4004, SPAN 4004S
Prerequisite
(SPAN 3010 or SPAN 3010H or SPAN 3011) and (SPAN 3030 or SPAN 3030E or SPAN 3030H or SPAN(LING) 3050 or SPAN(LING) 3050E or SPAN 3020 or SPAN 3020H or SPAN 3021)
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will learn about the Spanish-speaking business environment and will enhance their ability to communicate in Spanish in both business and social situations. They will gain a foundation in business vocabulary and discourse related to functional business areas such as the organization of a company, management, banking, capital investment (property, plant, and equipment), personnel, office systems, production of goods, and services, and marketing. They will examine the geography, economy, demographics, and politics of Spanish-speaking countries and their relation to commerce. They will practice writing business letters and translating business documents. They will acquire awareness of the social and cultural contexts in which commercial transactions take place.
Topical Outline
I. Economics and Commerce: Comparison of demographic and geographical data; business terms and concepts; the importance of culture in business. II Companies: Organization and classification of companies; influence of family in business. III. Spain today: geography, demography, government, economy, commerce. IV. Management: Business administration; the importance of social norms and address forms. V. Mexico today: geography, demography, government, economy, commerce. VI. Banking and accounting: Money management; types of banks and accounts; loans and debt; the World Bank. VII. Capital investment: land, plants, equipment; short and long-term investments; rent contracts; urban and rural life; emigration to cities. VIII. Office systems: Equipment and modern communications systems; men and women in the job force. IX. Business letters and documents: types of written communication; parts of a letter; translation exercises. X. Personnel and labor relations: Department of Personnel; employment compensation; labor unions; the curriculum vitae; the job search and interview. XI. Goods and Services: Products; services; manufacturing; production and control; attitudes toward time and technology. XII. Marketing: Investigating markets; advertising; Hispanic consumers; slogans, commercials, trademarks; translation blunders; Spanish television commercials. XIII. International Trade: International markets; economic and cultural analysis; business trips abroad.
Syllabus