Spanish, B.A.

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Description

A Spanish major includes the study of Spanish grammar and linguistics, Latin American literature and cultures, and literature and culture from Spain. In addition students are exposed to Hispanic film, medical and legal terminology in Spanish, Spanish-English translations skills, study abroad, and an understanding of Latino Culture within the US context.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

There are over 50 million people of Hispanic origin in the US, more than 400 million people who speak Spanish in 21 countries around the World, and Spanish is one of the official languages of the UN, World Trade Organization, and the Organization of American States. Majoring in Spanish provides students with language skills that have proven in a range of professional occupations. A rising number of employers prefer individuals who can speak Spanish fluently. Many Spanish majors combine their skillset with other areas of study such as education, international business, health, government, and social services. The following is a list of career paths that Spanish majors across the country can pursue: Teacher, Community College/University Professor, Librarian, Research Assistant, College Admissions Officer, University Grant Writer, Business/Customer Service Manager, Bilingual Technical Support Specialist, Insurance Consultant, Analyst for International Financial Firm, Representative for International Company, Assistant News Analyst, Technical Writer, News Anchor/Reporter, Film &Video/Book Editor, Translator/Interpreter, Pastoral/Ministry Personnel, Editorial Assistant for Book Publisher, Intelligence Officer, Program Assistant for U.S Supreme Court, Public Health Data Analyst, International Trade Specialist, Peace Corps, Tour guide/Consultant, Sales Coordinator for International Company, Guest Services Agent (Hotel), Public Relations, Marketing Assistant for National Sports League.

What skills are developed within this major?

Spanish majors acquire valuable transferrable skills that they can apply in their future studies and careers: Intercultural competence (a set of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts), verbal communication skills (oral presentations), written communication skills (papers, exams), information literacy, critical thinking and analytic reasoning, being detail-oriented (accuracy in oral and written language proficiency), knowledge of global issues (culture, politics, literature, cinema and current societal issues).

Special tracks

The Spanish major integrates the study of Spanish Peninsular and Latin American areas of literature, linguistics and culture. Students can also concentrate in language studies or combine any of the above areas for teaching or other professional careers.

Language Skill Courses

A student who has completed Spanish course work in high school or at another institution who wishes to continue the study of Spanish must begin course work for credit at the level consistent with academic background. A placement test is required for all students with less than three years of high-school Spanish or the equivalent. Students who have had three or more years of previous study must consult with an adviser in the foreign language department to determine the appropriate level.

Native speakers

As a general guideline, students who read and write Spanish fluently must begin course work for credit at the 300-level or higher. Students considering a major in Spanish should consult an adviser in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures as early as possible to plan an effective course of study.

Retroactive Credit

Students are eligible to earn up to 16 “retroactive” credits for previous knowledge of Spanish. This policy is for students who have completed a foreign language skills course and who earned a B or better in that course. For example, if your first Spanish skills course is SPN 102 and you receive an A or B, you can receive credit for SPN 101 . Consult the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at 216-687-4646 for further information.

Credit by Examination

Students who successfully complete the Advanced Placement language examinations may be eligible for credit. For further information, refer to the External Test Credits section of the Registrar’s Office website: http://www.csuohio.edu/registrar/external-test-credit

Note that only credits at the 300-level and above may count toward the Spanish major, and 200-level or above for the Spanish minor. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses applied to the major.

Admission to Major

Completion of SPN 202 or equivalent

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for degree: 120

Minimum hours required for major: 32

Major-Field Requirements

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

Part A: 300-level Core Requirements

21 credit hours of courses in Composition and Conversation:

Advanced Spanish Courses (choose one set):

Required Courses (5):

Note:

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.

Part B: 400-level Requirements and Electives

Capstone (1-4 credits - choose one from the following):

SPN 494 - Spanish Capstone (1 credit) (must be taken in combination with a 3 credit 400-level course - see Electives requirement below)
SPN 495 - Spanish Field Study Capstone (4 credits)

Note:

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.

Service learning (1 credit):

SPN 496 - Independent Study In Spanish

Electives (6-9 credits):

Choose three 3-credit courses from the following list:

Notes:

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.

Study Abroad

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.

Teacher Licensure

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.

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements

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.

Accelerated 4+1 Program

See the Spanish, Accelerated 4+1 BA/MA page.