Spanish Major
Students pursuing a Spanish major must satisfy a course requirement of 33 total credit hours, of which 30 must be in Spanish and 15 must be in upper-division Spanish. For students entering the program with proven proficiency in Spanish language skills, a maximum of 10 lower-division credits may be waived. MFL-233.1 is recommended as the initial course for students entering with strong language proficiency through previous high school study, immersion experiences, or native speaker family backgrounds. MFL-330.1 and MFL 331.1 are required for the major.
Students who elect a major in Spanish are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where Spanish is dominant.
A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts & Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a major in Spanish must also complete three (3) credits in Fine Arts.
The Spanish Major requirements are:
- MFL-131 Spanish Language and Culture I (4 cr)
- MFL-132 Spanish Language and Culture II (4 cr)
- MFL-232 Spanish Language and Culture III (3 cr)
- MFL-233.1 Spanish Language and Culture IV (3 cr)
- MFL-330.1 Spanish Composition and Conversation I (3 cr)
- MFL-331.1 Spanish Composition and Conversation I (3 cr)
- MFL-333 Literature of Latin America (3 cr)
or
MFL-334 Literature of Spain (3 cr) - MFL-399T.2 Latin America Today (3 cr)
- MFL-399T.4 Human Rights for the First Generation (3 cr)
or
MFL-437 Spanish Literature and Society (Narrative and Film (3 cr) - MFL-438 Spanish Literature and Society (Poetry, Drama, and Song (3 cr)
- MFL-494 Independent Study (1 to 3 cr)
Students wishing to teach Spanish at the secondary level must complete the Spanish major and MFL/EDU-444.1 and MFL/EDU-445.1. Please consult with the Education Department for specific certification requirements.
Other programs of study that may be of interest to students studying Spanish include:
- Anthropology/Sociology
- Asian Studies
- Bilingual Education
- Business
- Education
- Elementary Education
- Health Professional Studies
- International Political Economy
- Latin American Studies
- Literature in English
- Teaching English as a Second Language
Student Learning Outcomes
- Spanish language and culture proficiency at levels 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, and 5.2 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Advanced Mid" Spanish proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).
- The study of Spanish language, culture, and literature enhances student competency in critical thinking, analytical writing, problem solving, and written communication by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a different cultural framework from their own.
Students pursuing a Spanish major must submit a portfolio consisting of six papers, including two research summaries, two descriptive works, and a selection of in-class direct writing assessments and revised papers.