Nicholas Henriksen

Spanish 298

Introduction to Spanish Linguistics

This course provides an introduction to Hispanic Linguistics and establishes the basis for future application of linguistic principles. The first two weeks introduce basic principles and concepts in linguistic theory and linguistic structure. The remaining weeks of the semester examine the linguistic structure of the Spanish language based on the following fields of linguistic inquiry: word formation (morphology), word order (syntax), the sound system (phonetics and phonology), history of the language, and second language acquisition. The goal of this course is to provide students with a level of knowledge that enables them to succeed in future Hispanic Linguistics courses.

Winter 2022, Fall 2017, Winter 2017, Fall 2016, Winter 2016

Spanish 333

Techniques of Oral Pronunciation

This course is an undergraduate-level introduction to Spanish phonetics and phonology. The main goal of this class is to understand the sound patterns of Spanish as well as to apply this knowledge to the practice of pronunciation during the study-abroad experience. Students will learn about the consonant and vowel features of Spanish as well as issues relating to Spanish stress and intonation. After successful completion of this course, students will: be familiar with all the sounds of Spanish and how they are organized in the phonological system of the language; apply the rules of Spanish pronunciation to their own speech; use appropriate terminology to express general notions of phonetics; and recognize the vast geolinguistic diversity in Spanish.

(through CGIS) Summer 2017, Summer 2015, Summer 2014

Spanish 342

Introduction to Contemporary Latin American Culture

This course provides an introduction to Latin American Culture in the twentieth century. Course topics include: democracy and post-dictatorship, social movements, Marxism, indigeneity and race, gender roles, immigration, and narcotrafficking. Some geographical areas of focus are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, and Mexico. Students watch films about relevant course topics, and learn to argue ideas through coherent and informed critical thinking. By learning how to reason carefully from clearly stated premises, students develop the ability to frame sophisticated questions and explore pre-determined topics within the course’s disciplinary framework. Students are assessed through oral presentations, critical-thinking response papers, and a final oral interview.

Winter 2018

Spanish 355

New World Spanish (Topic: Spanish in the U.S.)

This course is an introduction to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of language variation in Spanish-speaking communities in the United States. There will be a strong focus on the acquisition of Spanish as a heritage language by speakers of Spanish born and raised in the United States, exploring aspects related to most areas of linguistic analysis (phonetics, syntax, morphology, discourse). Further topics include: bilingualism and language generation; borrowings and code-switching; dialect contact; language planning; and language identity. Students will conduct informal interviews with Spanish-English bilingual speakers, who will serve as sociolinguistic informants throughout the course.

Winter 2014, Winter 2013

Spanish 410

Spanish Phonetics and Phonology

This course presents a complete overview of the Spanish sound system and establishes the basis for the application of principles at the phonetic (auditory, articulatory and acoustic) and phonological levels of linguistic analysis. The first two weeks introduce basic principles in phonological analysis and the structure of sound systems in general. During the remaining portion of the term, students examine the descriptive properties (consonants; vowels; syllables; stress; and intonation) and phonological processes relevant to the language’s sound system. A considerable amount of instructional time will focus on Spanish acoustic phonetics, hypothesis testing, and spectrographic analysis.

Website: umich.edu/~nhenriks/spanish410/

Winter 2025, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Winter 2020, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Winter 2016, Winter 2015, Fall 2014, Winter 2014, Fall 2013, Winter 2013, Fall 2012

Spanish 416

Spanish Sociolinguistics

This advanced linguistics course examines the theoretical foundations and practical applications of language variation (dialectal, social, historical) in Spanish-speaking communities. During the first third of the term, students are introduced to the theoretical and methodological foundations of sociolinguistic variation. The second third of the term is a focus on sociolinguistic issues as they relate to Spanish, and students will read quantitative articles with the goal of learning how to pose questions and solve problems in sociolinguistic research. Finally, students will spend the last weeks of the course gaining firsthand experience in sociolinguistic research and data analysis (data collection, coding, and interpretation). Students will apply their knowledge of course content in data analysis activities, research summaries, exams, and a final research paper.

Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Summer 2024, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Summer 2022, Summer 2021, Summer 2020, Summer 2019, Summer 2018, Winter 2017, Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Fall 2012

Spanish 487

Studies in Hispanic Linguistics (Topic: Spanish Second Language Phonology)

This course focuses on principles and current models of the acquisition of second language (L2) sounds, with a focus of the acquisition of L2 sounds in Spanish. Course topics include: L1 influences on L2 phonology; models of L2 phonology; L2 effects on L1 phonology; age effects in L2 phonology; and the acquisition of L3 phonology. Considerable attention is given to current research standards in the field. The goal of this course is to provide students with a sound foundation of the factors that influence L2 phonological acquisition and also to provide students with a level of analytical knowledge that enables them to conduct empirical research in the field of linguistics.

Fall 2020, Winter 2018, Winter 2015

Spanish 487

Studies in Hispanic Linguistics (Topic: Do you speak Andalusian?)

The goal of this course is to offer students the opportunity to understand the linguistic and cultural heritage of one of the most visited geographic areas in Spain, namely Andalusia. Primarily, the course centers on the vast sociolinguistic and dialectal variation exhibited in Andalusian Spanish, focusing on phonetic, morphosyntactic, and pragmatic structures. Further, this language variation will be framed within the dynamic lens of cultural studies, in order to understand how Andalusian linguistic practices relate to broader social phenomena such as ideology, class structures, and national formations. Michigan students will be paired with students from Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz, Spain), who will serve as virtual linguistic informants throughout the course.

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Fall 2023, Winter 2021, Spring 2020

Spanish 487

Studies in Hispanic Linguistics (Topic: Sociophonetic patterns of Spanish and Galician)

This course presents a contrastive overview of the Spanish and Galician sound systems and establishes the basis for application of principles in phonetic, phonological, and sociolinguistic analysis for both languages. The course first offers a comprehensive survey of the descriptive properties of Spanish and Galician through transcriptions, dictations, and oral exams. After gaining knowledge in these areas, students will engage with topics related to language planning and language policies in contemporary Spain, which will allow them to develop a critical stance on the use of minoritized languages in the Iberian peninsula.

(through CGIS) Spring 2022

Romance Languages 528

Teaching the Romance Languages

This course provides graduate students with opportunities to explore their own beliefs about second-language learning and teaching through online modules, readings, and discussions related to theoretical issues in foreign-language pedagogy, teaching identity and philosophy, and their practical applications. Much of the course content, both in theory and in application, will be framed within the context of language teaching within U-M’s Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. The three primary modules of the course center on the following topics: (i) communicative language teaching; (ii) teaching to the whole student; and (iii) developing a teaching philosophy.

Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023