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MAJOR IN SPANISH

The Major in Spanish is an integral part of a traditional education in the liberal arts. The Spanish Major is designed to contribute to the cultural and intellectual formation of students, as well as to prepare them for continued work on the graduate level or independent study, for teaching on the elementary or secondary level, and for service as interpreters, translators, social workers, or representatives in business or government. It can also serve as the basis for a rewarding career in law, penology, or helping services. Spanish majors are expected to achieve proficiency and fluency in the spoken and written language and to read with critical appreciation and enjoyment representative works of the principal authors of Spain and Latin America. The selection of courses in this major will be made in consultation with the advisor with a view to a complete formation in the language, literature, and cultures of the Spanishspeaking world. Spanish majors are strongly advised to spend a semester or an academic year in a Spanishspeaking country.

Required Courses:

A total of 11 major-level courses (those numbered 120* or higher) is required for a major. Students are expected to include language, literature, and civilization study in their program. The following are the minimum around which an individual program of study should be developed. These must include at least:

• One course in the written language (SPA 210, SPA 220, SPA 301)

• One course in the spoken language (SPA 110 or SPA 120, SPA 302)

• One course in culture/civilization (SPA 310, SPA 311, SPA 312, SPA 313, SPA 315, SPA 316, SPA 366, SPA 386) *Please note that SPA 110 combines SPA 104 and SPA 120. Therefore, three credits of SPA 110 count toward the major.

• A minimum of three courses in Spanish and Spanish-American literature studied in the language. These courses must include at least one of the Main Current courses (required for all other advanced literature courses). It is recommended that the other courses include the three basic genres (drama, poetry, and prose). Courses in written and oral expression may be waived in the case of students who have achieved the desired proficiency. Further courses may be required until the student has attained a level expected by the department. Students who are considering a major in Spanish are advised to fulfill the Introduction to Literature requirement by taking SPA 140.

• One course towards the major may be taken from the Modern and Classical Languages offerings in English which relate to the study of Spanish. These include courses in CLT or LIN. LAS courses may be included with the permission of the chair. Students are encouraged to take this related course in English early in their program when their language skills may limit them to a sequence of one course per semester. These related courses serve to introduce potential majors to significant intellectual issues in the field. This course should be chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor in order to avoid taking a course in English which would later be offered in the target language. Electives Spanish majors are encouraged to choose electives in related areas such as courses in a second language, Linguistics, and courses in other departments which supplement and/or complement their major.

MAJOR IN SPANISH WITH CONCENTRATION IN HISPANIC CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION:

The objective of the Major in Spanish with a concentration in culture/civilization is to help develop cultural literacy which involves familiarity with the language and its interaction with culture; appreciation of values and norms that distinguish the other culture; and understanding of the stories another culture tells about itself, not just through literature but also through history, politics, economics, art, and so forth. The study of culture in general terms is concerned with the way other people structure their world. The focus of this concentration is on the culture of Spain, Spanish-America, and Latino cultures within the United States and other regions of the world. This major is an excellent preparation for a teaching career, graduate work, community service, and employment in organizations and agencies with international interests. Required Courses: 12

Four courses:

SPA 120 Conversational Spanish and Grammar Review (or SPA 110, Spanish IV / V)
SPA 140 Introduction to Literature
Spanish Language: SPA 251,252, 253, 254 Main Currents of Spanish or Spanish-American Literature (one course)
LIN 221 Sociolinguistics
Five courses acceptable for the Spanish Major, including a minimum of one in each area: literature, written expression, and oral expression.
Three courses in culture/civilization. Electives: Students may complete courses in related areas which may include anthropology, history, economics, geography, linguistics, or political science. Elective courses will be selected in close consultation with the departmental advisor. Students in the major are strongly advised to undertake an immersion experience. Study in Europe, Latin America, or in areas with Latino populations within the United States is most desirable. Students unable to study abroad will consult with a departmental advisor to develop an alternate experience, such as an appropriate local internship, in which they might apply their language/culture competence.

MINOR IN SPANISH:

A student may complete a minor in Spanish by taking a total of six one-semester courses (18 credits) which may include SPA 104 and courses acceptable for the Spanish major. The program must be planned with a departmental advisor. All courses for the minor must be in Spanish.

Did you Know?

The College now offers five graduate programs: Counseling Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Special Education, and MBA.