The major in Spanish provides students the opportunity to learn increasingly complex Spanish grammar and language through speaking, reading, writing, and listening to Spanish; to use technology and cultural exercises to enlarge understanding of the Hispanic world; and to gain a larger worldview through the process of language learning.

Administrator: Chair, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Cultural Studies

Learning Objectives:

1. Graduates of this emphasis will gain practical language proficiency in the Spanish language, including proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to the language.  (Academic Excellence)
2. Graduates of this emphasis will develop intercultural sensitivity.  They will study the language, literature, history, and culture of Spanish speaking peoples, and learn to constructively engage them in meaningful dialogue, mutually beneficial social relationships, and professional interactions in a wide range of academic disciplines and fields of study.  (Academic Excellence, Christlike Character, Creative Engagement, Social Responsiveness)
3. Graduates of this emphasis and general education students will acquire cultural competency and learn to understand the concept of culture from a variety of perspectives.  Graduates will learn to experience culture in a personal and subjective manner, at the same time that they learn to objectively analyze Latin American and Spanish cultures.  (Academic Excellence, Social Responsiveness, Creative Engagement)
4. Graduates of this emphasis and general education students will reflect critically on their own cultural values and traditions.  Graduates will learn to compare and contrast their own cultures with those studied. (Social Responsiveness, Creative Engagement)

Requirements: 49-52 credits: 43 credits in Spanish of which 35 shall be numbered above 299

SPAN2010. Intermediate Spanish (4)

SPAN2020. Intermediate Spanish (4)

SPAN3010. Advanced Conversation and Composition (3); or,

SPAN3220. Spanish for Business (3)

SPAN4970. Senior Thesis (3)

One course selected from Spanish or Hispanoamerican civilization:

SPAN3310. Hispanic Civilization (3) (may be repeated); or,

SPAN3094. Topics in Hispanic Culture, Literature or Linguistics (3) (may be repeated) (cultural topic)

One course selected from Spanish or Hispanoamerican Literature:

SPAN3510. Survey of Hispanic Literature (3) (may be repeated); or,

SPAN3094. Topics in Hispanic Culture, Literature or Linguistics (3) (may be repeated) (literature topic)

One course selected from Spanish or Hispanoamerican Linguistics: 

SPAN3420. Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3); or,

SPAN3094. Topics in Hispanic Culture, Literature or Linguistics (3) (linguistics topic)

Twenty credits in Spanish which shall be numbered above 2999 (20)

Two courses in history, political science, or sociology (4-6)

One course in American literature, world literature, or philosophy (2-3)

Additionally, Spanish majors are required to do the following:
Cultural Immersion Experience:

30 hours documented service in the local Hispanic community (church, school, other organization)

Portfolio (4 major papers, including the Senior Thesis, representing the areas of Hispanic civilization, literature, and linguistics)

Oral proficiency (ACTFL advanced level or better on modified oral proficiency examination)

Cultural Immersion Experience: Students who have not lived in a cultural setting where Spanish is the primary language are required to study, travel, or work in such a setting for an extended period of time. Examples of acceptable experiences are a college-level summer school session, or academic-year program in a school such as the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico, or the Latin American Studies Program in San Jose, Costa Rica. Approved Off-Campus (OC prefix) courses or approved transfer courses from travel-study programs may be substituted for courses listed in the categories above. Prior approval of a travel-study program must be obtained from the chair of the department.