Spanish Major

Description

As the nations of the world become more interdependent, knowledge of the world's languages and understanding of world cultures become more significant for effective global communication and peaceful coexistence. Language study prepares today's students for tomorrow's opportunities by supporting interdisciplinary instruction and developing cross-cultural understanding. Our mission is to provide students with a well-rounded liberal arts background through the study of language, literature, history and culture.

The Spanish major has two tracks: Track I – Language, Culture, and Civilization (33 credits) and Track II – Interdisciplinary Major in Bilingual-Multicultural Studies (36 credits). Track I enables students to acquire an advanced level of proficiency in the language. Literature and culture courses are designed to provide a historical, political and social overview of the Spanish-speaking world. All courses are taught in Spanish. Students in the Adolescence Inclusive Generalist Teacher Certification Program must choose this track. Track II is intended for students in the Childhood Inclusive Teacher Certification program. It includes courses in Spanish as well as courses on bilingual education and multicultural issues taught in English.

What can I do with a Spanish major?

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major.

General Education Requirements (41-44 credits)

Program Requirements (33-42 credits)

Students in the Spanish major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.

All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher. Courses with grades lower than "C" must be repeated.

Teaching Certification students in the Adolescence Inclusive with Middle Childhood Education Extension Program must choose this track. All students in the Teaching Certification Program must also take FCE 473 Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition in addition to the courses listed here.

1. Prerequisites (depending on placement) (9 credits)
   • SPN 111, Beginner I*
   • SPN 112, Beginner II*
   • SPN 211, Intermediate I*
2. Required Courses: (24 credits)
   • SPN 212 Intermediate Spanish II*
   • SPN 350 It’s All Debatable – Communication in Spanish
   • SPN 351 Compose Yourself
   • SPN 353 Literature and Cultures of Spain
   • SPN 354 Literature and Cultures of Spanish America
   • SPN 461 Advanced Spanish Grammar
   • One of the two following options:
     • SPN 452 Guerrillas, Gays and Gangs
     • SPN 457 Contemporary Spanish Writers
   • One of the two following options:
     • SPN 456 Negotiating Caribbean Identity
     • SPN 458 Contemporary Spanish-American Writers
3. Elective Courses: (9 credits in Spanish at the 300 or 400)
   • See course descriptions.

Major Program Requirements (36-45 credits)

II. SPANISH - TRACK TWO: Interdisciplinary Major in Bilingual-Multicultural Studies - 36 credits

Teaching Certification students in the Childhood Inclusive Education Program seeking a bilingual-multicultural education extension certificate must choose this track.

1. Prerequisites (depending on placement) (9 credits)
• SPN 111, Beginner I*
• SPN 112, Beginner II*
• SPN 211, Intermediate I*
2. Required Courses: (24 credits)
   • SPN 212 Intermediate Spanish II*
   • SPN 350 It’s All Debatable – Communication in Spanish
   • SPN 351 Compose Yourself
   • SPN 410 Bilingual Education & Heritage Language Learners*
   • SPN 461 Advanced Spanish Grammar
   • EDI 421 Methods for Teaching and Assessing English Language Learners
   • FCE 420 Multiculturalism in the USA*
   • FCE 473 Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition
3. Literature and Cultures : (12 credits in Spanish courses in Hispanic literatures and /or cultures at the 300 or 400 level.)
   • See course descriptions.

* Denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements

Electives Track I: (34-46 credits)

Electives Track II: (31-43 credits)

Total Credits (120 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements).
• Completion of all college-wide degree requirements

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a baccalaureate degree in Spanish, graduates will be able to:

1. Narrate and describe using a variety of time frames, extended discourse, and specialized vocabulary. 
2. Deliver oral presentations on a wide variety of topics, using a variety of strategies to tailor the presentation to the needs of their audience.
3. Narrate and describe in all major time frames with good control of aspect and a range of general vocabulary in writing for personal and professional needs.
4. Identify the main facts and many supporting details in conventional narrative and descriptive oral texts.
5. Identify some of the essential points of argumentative texts in areas of special interest or knowledge.
6. Explain key perspectives of  some Spanish-speaking cultures within a comparative framework and connect them to cultural products and practices. 
7. Interpret and synthesize ideas and critical issues from a wide range of historical and contemporary cultural artifacts.