Students seeking a major in Spanish must complete 32 credit hours in Spanish above the 200 level, distributed as follows:

21 credit hours of courses in Composition and Conversation:

Students in any of our Study Abroad Programs can substitute any of the 300-level core requirements from the following list, with the approval of the instructor.

Students on one of our Study Abroad Programs can take SPN 495 - Spanish Field Study Capstone for a total of 4 credits. This will cover for the regular capstone plus one of the 400-level electives.

Choose three 3-credit courses from the following list:

One of these courses may be taken in conjunction with SPN 494 - see for the Capstone requirement above.

If SPN 495 is taken as the capstone, only two courses from this list are required.

Majors are encouraged to arrange for study in a Spanish-speaking country. The department administers summer programs in Costa Rica and Spain. Credit earned on these programs is considered part of the Cleveland State University Spanish sequence.

Students may also undertake independent study abroad at other institutions. However, they should seek departmental approval of foreign-study plans before departure. For further information regarding the possibility of foreign study and summer programs available through the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, contact the department office at 216-687-4646.

Students preparing to teach will fulfill the requirements for the B.A. in Spanish and the licensure sequence in the College of Education and Human Services for the Education, Foreign Language, Grades PreK to 12 (French or Spanish), with Multi-age Licensure.

Students seeking a B.A. in Spanish with teaching licensure must, in fulfilling the major requirements, take a minimum of 9 credits at the 400 level. 

The PreK-12 licensure sequence includes courses in elementary and secondary foreign-language methods. Students will need to follow the sequence as described in the College of Education and Human Services section. See also Education, Foreign Language, Grades PreK to 12 (French or Spanish), with Multi-age Licensure.

Before admission to student teaching, students must take the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE), demonstrate oral and writing proficiency at the ACTFL “Advanced-Low” level through official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT), both administered by ACTFL. Students will need to have their skill level assessed as early as possible in the program and then work with their advisers to plan study experiences that provide appropriate opportunities for improvement. Modern Language methods courses must be completed during the semester preceding student teaching.

The following requirements apply to students accepted into the University Honors College who are earning a B.A. degree in Spanish:

1) CRITICAL THEORY/METHODS REQUIREMENTS (4 CREDITS):

Honors/Scholars students will be required to take a course on methodology or critical theory. Spanish students should enroll in the Spanish research methods courses, SPN 493. A similar course may be substituted for those listed above with permission of the Honors/Scholars advisor in the department. It is recommended that students enroll in this course in their junior year if possible, to prepare them for the research they will conduct during their senior year.

2) TWO CONTRACT COURSES (8 CREDITS):

Honors/Scholars students will take two 300 or 400 level content courses in their major as “contract honors courses.” These may be required or elective courses such as special topics courses taught in the language, and can include course taught as part of a study abroad program. Contract courses involve contracting with the instructor to do additional work (on a term paper, for example) that demonstrates a more in depth, rigorous, and analytical approach to the topic, similar to what is expected at the graduate level. Language skills classes (301, 302, 304, 305 or 402) are exempted.

3) SENIOR HONORS PROJECT (3 CREDITS, SPN 491H):

Honors/Scholars student will complete a 3 credit independent study honors project. The project will result in a well researched and well written paper that shows critical thinking and application of critical methods. In addition to the written paper, Honors/Scholars students will be required to make an oral presentation of their project to a group of faculty and students. Students will be expected to submit an initial proposal to their advisor at the end of their junior year. Once the proposal is approved, they should begin researching their project. A completed project is due at the end of their final semester along with an oral presentation on the project. Projects may be researched as part of a study abroad program with permission of the department’s Honors/Scholars advisor.

4) SERVICE LEARNING COMPONENT (2 CREDITS OF PRACTICUM SPN 300/400):

We expect Honors/Scholars students to serve as positive role models and mentors, and to demonstrate leadership qualities that set them apart from most regular students. To that end, Honors/Scholars students will be required to complete two credits of service learning or community involvement activities that relate to their major language. These activities can take place on campus, in the community or as part of a study abroad program. Students will contract with their advisor for the type and number of activities to fulfill this requirement, along with an appropriate assessment mechanism (i.e. keeping a log or journal of activities, writing a final summary paper). Acceptable activities include (but are not limited to):

· Tutoring lower-level language students

· Participating in student language clubs in a leadership capacity

· Volunteering to help with language-related activities such as lecture or film series, or a conference

· Organize activities such as a field trip to a museum, art gallery, concert, film, local ethnic restaurant, etc.

5) 37 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:

With the addition of the methods/criticism course and service learning component, Honors/Scholars students will be expected to earn 5 credits above the required 32 credits for the major. The Senior Honors project will count as elective credit that is part of the 32 credits required for the major.