Program Description
Knowledge of languages other than English is vital in the increasingly interconnected world of the twenty-first century. Learning another language has a dramatic impact on one’s understanding of how languages and cultures differ, and it even increases one’s skill in using one’s first language. Studying a world language is an excellent choice for students who want to broaden their cultural and critical competence at the same time that they make themselves more competitive in a global workplace. Majoring in Spanish, one of the world’s most widely spoken languages, gives students access to careers in diplomacy, international business, the military, technology, medical fields, law, education, and many other fields which require varied and excellent communication skills.
The undergraduate major program in Spanish is designed to accomplish four goals:
- To develop proficiency in the fundamental language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and viewing.
- To provide an in-depth study in the language, literature, culture, and civilization of Spanish-speaking peoples.
- To prepare majors to do research and study at the graduate level.
- To prepare majors for a variety of careers and professions that require knowledge of, and fluency in Spanish.
Students who major in Spanish learn to speak and write well. They read literature and learn about its cultural context so as to better understand both literature and culture. Also, they become skilled in analyzing, evaluating, and responding to a wide range of texts composed in Spanish. In completing the required minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course work beyond the intermediate level, Spanish majors take advanced courses in Hispanic literature, civilization, conversation, linguistics, and composition, and they consolidate and extend their study of Spanish in a three-hour senior-level capstone course.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Major
Students will demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture in Spanish.
1. Students will be able to apply critical thinking and analytical reasoning to the linguistic, literary, historical and cultural components of the language.
2. Students will demonstrate mastery of the five goals of world language study: communication, cultures, connection, comparisons, and communities.
Major Requirements
Students who want to major in Spanish must have completed SPA 2311-2312 or shown evidence that they have achieved an equal level of proficiency in Spanish.
The core courses for the Spanish major include nine (9) hours of composition and linguistics, six (6) hours of advanced conversation, and six (6) hours of literature and culture and SPA 4391 Senior Seminar in Spanish three (3) hours. Twelve hours (12) of Spanish electives allow students to pursue special interests, benefit from internships or study abroad, and deepen their knowledge of Hispanic literature and culture. During the senior year, students complete the major with a seminar which serves as a capstone course. Additionally:
- All courses taken for the major must be completed with a grade of C or better.
- Upon completion of all major requirements, students majoring in Spanish must pass a standardized oral proficiency test (Exit Interview).
- Transfer credit may be accepted if the courses taken fit satisfactorily into the plan for the major outlined at WSSU and if students meet all other requirements for transfer students, including the residency requirement, and approval of the department chair.
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