Department of Language and Literature
The major in Spanish

The program for majors in Spanish is designed to:

1. Enable students to develop at least intermediate-high level proficiency in all four skills, as stated in the guidelines of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). At this level students will be able to:

›› create with the language; ›› handle most uncomplicated communicative tasks & social situations; ›› initiate, sustain, and close a general conversation with strategies appropriate to a range of circumstances and topics, although errors will still be evident; ›› ask and answer questions; ›› demonstrate emerging evidence of connected discourse, particularly for simple narration and/or description; ›› be generally understood even by interlocutors unaccustomed to dealing with intermediate-high level speakers;

2. Immerse students in Hispanic culture through study abroad; and
3. Familiarize students with Spanish and Latin American culture, literature, art, and current political issues and their international ramifications.

Requirements

A Spanish major must complete at least 36 hours from among Spanish courses numbered 201 or above, all with a grade of “C” or better. The 36 hours must include the following courses:

›› SPAN 201: Intermediate Spanish I (3)

›› SPAN 202: Intermediate Spanish II (3)

›› SPAN 211: Intermediate Grammar & Composition (3)

›› SPAN 212: Intermediate Oral Communication (3)

›› SPAN 220: Introduction to Spanish Literature (3 | core)

›› SPAN 221: Introduction to Contemporary Latin American Literature (3 | core)

›› SPAN 230: Elements of Spanish Civilization and Culture (3)

›› SPAN 231: Elements of Latin American Culture (3)

›› SPAN 305: Advanced Grammar (3)

Students are also required to participate in a study abroad experience in a Spanish-speaking country.

Majors must demonstrate Intermediate-High level oral proficiency in Spanish, according to the ACTFL guidelines. Proficiency will be measured in an oral interview with a member of the faculty. It is recommended that this interview be arranged as early as the junior year, but it must take place before the second semester of the senior year. The interview may be repeated until the required level of proficiency is demonstrated.