Spanish (B.A.)

Program Summary

The Spanish B.A. provides students with an immersive and wide-ranging curriculum that allows them to develop language and cultural competency. Faculty use a communicative approach at all levels of instruction and students can expect to learn Spanish through meaningful context and active participation. The major is designed for all students, regardless of prior language experience in or outside of the classroom. After completing the required coursework, students have the opportunity to customize their educational experience by choosing electives that fit their interests and objectives, such as literature, culture, linguistics, history, film, global health, translation, advanced grammar, sociolinguistics, sports, women’s literature, and Latinx culture. The curriculum has been designed to complement the pursuit of double-majors and minors. Graduates not only develop proficiency in core language areas–reading, writing, speaking, and listening–but also strengthen their skills in the following areas: cultural competence and understanding, intercultural knowledge, critical and creative thinking, information literacy, inquiry and analysis, problem solving, and teamwork.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C-” (1.7) or better to be counted in the major.
• The first four (4) semesters of Spanish or equivalent studies as approved by the department are required for all students majoring or minoring in language with an emphasis in Spanish. Students with previous language experience, upon demonstration of advanced proficiency, may receive credit by examination for part or all of the following classes: SPAN 1010 , SPAN 1020  or SPAN 1030 , SPAN 2010 , and SPAN 2020 .
• Students with extensive foreign residency experience in Spanish-speaking areas are advised not to enroll in SPAN 1010 , SPAN 1020  or SPAN 1030 , SPAN 2010 , and SPAN 2020 . Such students may earn P/F credits for those courses through examination as indicated above.
• Students may only count one (1) course in which English is the language of instruction toward the Spanish B.A. (e.g., LANG 3250 , SPAN 3030 ).
• The Spanish program will accept no more than nine (9) credits of upper-division Spanish taken at another institution or on study abroad toward the major. Transfer credits not covered by articulation must be approved by the Chair of the Department of Languages and Philosophy .
• Other than transfer credit, internship and study abroad credits should not exceed three (3) credits per denomination. SPAN 4980 should not exceed three (3) credits. Total credit toward a Spanish Major with a SPAN 4890 , SPAN 4920 , and SPAN 4980  denomination must not exceed a maximum of six (6) credits. 
• Independent study courses are reserved for situations of extreme necessity. Trying to get a major in a period of a year and a half or less does not fit such description, and it should be avoided through careful planning. Under no circumstances will more than two (2) independent studies be allowed towards a major.