Spanish (BA)

Spanish majors explore the language, literature, and cultures of the modern and historical Spanish-speaking world.

Students choose one of two concentrations. The literature and culture concentration offers classes in literature, film, visual arts, and other media from many different periods. This gives students the chance to explore the breadth and depth of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. The language and society concentration exposes students to the historical and social contexts of Spanish-speaking communities. Students gain knowledge of the linguistic structure of the language and its different varieties, which highlights the social characteristics of communities where Spanish is used.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Language proficiency: RL majors should reach at least a level of Intermediate-High (speaking) and Advanced (writing) in the primary target language according to ACTFL proficiency standards.
• Analytical skills related to the field/target language (research and writing): RL majors should be able to: a) use basic tools/methods of analysis in either literary studies or linguistics, b) use technical vocabulary for literary analysis and criticism or linguistic analysis, c) demonstrate mastery of technical aspects of professional writing (manage bibliographic resources, document ideas using MLA or APA style, include in-line citations in writing, etc.)
• Content objectives (literature/culture): Demonstrate familiarity with examples of the cultural/artistic production in the target language from different historical periods. Identify authors, texts, themes, and literary/artistic/intellectual movements in the periods studied. Relate cultural artifacts (literature, film, fine arts) to the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which they were produced. Content objectives (language in society-Spanish): Identify the geographical distribution and historical origins of varieties of Spanish; recognize variation as a fundamental part of language, and explain the kinds of sociolinguistic variation (historical, social, geographic) that can occur in languages; explain the relationship between and language and identity; demonstrate understanding of methods of linguistic data collection and analysis.
• Discipline (humanities or social science): identify basic disciplinary questions that define literary analysis/cultural studies or sociolinguistics; apply or relate disciplinary questions to current debates in the arts, politics, social conflicts, etc.

Courses for the major are principally taught in the language of study and immerse students in a diversity of cultures and variations spoken. Cultural, linguistic and literary production – writing, film and other media – studied in RL courses reflect variations of race, gender, social class, climate, religion, and historical and artistic movements and counter-movements. 

All courses for Romance Languages majors and minors must be upper-division, with the exception of one approved lower-division class within certain majors and minors.  Courses used to fulfill the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C- or better. Coursework transferred in from Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams are acceptable with a mark of P*. 

• Language and Society
• Literature and Culture

Spanish Major - Language and Society Concentration 

Approved Electives

Spanish Major - Literature and Culture Concentration

Approved Electives

Departmental Honors 

Approval for graduation with honors is granted to any student who meets one of the following requirements:

1. Maintains at least a 4.00 grade point average (GPA) in all upper-division department course work and at least a 3.50 GPA overall, or
2. Maintains at least a 3.75 GPA in all upper-division department course work and at least a 3.50 GPA overall, and submits an honors thesis written under the guidance of a Romance languages faculty thesis advisor. The thesis adviser determines whether the thesis is acceptable and may require the student to register for up to 6 pass/no pass (P/N) credits in Thesis (FR, ITAL, SPAN 403)

If a student wishes to apply for honors by submitting an honors thesis, the application for graduation with honors must be submitted by the end of the term that immediately precedes the term of graduation. If a student is planning on graduating in the spring term, they must apply for graduation through their departmental advisor during the winter term.

Transfer credits and overseas-study work used to fulfill major graduation requirements are typically included in determining the major GPA.

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (Focus in Language and Society)