Spanish Major
The Spanish major emphasizes the learning of both spoken and written Spanish, a sound understanding of the linguistic structures of modern Spanish, an appreciation for cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, and the ability to analyze literary texts from a variety of periods. Students may choose from a variety of offerings in Latin American or Peninsular literature, film, culture, language, and Spanish linguistics. All courses are offered in Spanish. See individual faculty members for more information.
Goal 1: Communicate effectively in the target language.
Outcome 1: Communicate effectively in the target language in oral and/or written form.
Goal 2: Think critically and interpretively about content in the target language.
Outcome 2: Interpret and analyze main ideas, relevant facts, and details in the target language.
Goal 3: Demonstrate knowledge of the target language culture(s).
Outcome 3: Describe accurately in the target language some aspect of the target language cultures (perspectives, products, and/or practices).
Goal 4: Engage with concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion relevant to the target language and culture.
Outcome 4: Describe, in a local and/or global context, diverse human beliefs, abilities, experiences, identities, or cultures.
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Recommended CCC Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy Level One | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Language and Communication | ||
| Writing Intensive | ||
| Spanish Composition | ||
| Mission-Overlay | ||
Second Spanish Course | ||
Major Requirements
Requires 10 SPA courses (30 credits) including:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 201 | Intermediate Spanish I (depending on placement) | 3 |
| SPA 202 | Intermediate Spanish II (depending on placement) | 3 |
| SPA 301 | Spanish Conversation (depending on placement) | 3 |
| or SPA 303 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers | |
| SPA 302 | Spanish Composition 1 | 3 |
| SPA 380 | Intro to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| or SPA 466 | Spanish Dialectology | |
| The remaining SPA credits must include at least 2 4xx level SPA courses (a total of 10 SPA courses). Students must also complete a World Language Capstone, which is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish. For more information, please refer to the World Languages International website (https://www.languagetesting.com/academic-testing-instruments) and follow the links to Oral Proficiency Interview > Schedule a Test (and then select language). | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Heritage speakers of Spanish having completed SPA 303 complete a SPA elective in place of SPA 302.
- 2
A student may count only one of these two courses toward the major or minor.
Free Electives
A varying number of courses, typically nine to twelve. Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
Study Abroad
Spanish majors and minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country of their choice. The Center for International Programs provides information on SJU-approved programs in Argentina, Chile, Central America, and Spain, as well as programs in other Latin American countries, for which students may petition credit. Languages and Linguistics faculty also offer Study Tour Courses to Latin America and Spain. Study Tours offered by other departments have included destinations such Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Study Tours offered by other departments do not count toward the Spanish major or minor, but they do complement students’ interests in Spanish. Students who are interested in studying abroad should meet with Dr. Elaine Shenk, the Spanish Program Coordinator for Study Abroad.
Spanish Honor Society
The department has an active chapter, Omicron Phi, of the National Spanish Honorary Society Sigma Delta Pi. A yearly initiation ceremony is held in the spring semester. Qualified students are encouraged to apply; please contact the Spanish faculty for more information.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| SPA 201 |
Intermediate Spanish I or Intermediate Spanish II or Spanish Conversation or Spanish for Heritage Speakers |
3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| LIN 101 | Language and Communication | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 202 |
Intermediate Spanish II or Spanish Conversation or Spanish Composition |
3 |
| World History | 3 | |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPA 301 or SPA 302 |
Spanish Conversation or Spanish Composition |
3 |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 302 | Spanish Composition ( or SPA 3XX) | 3 |
| Fine & Performing Arts, Design, Creativity | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPA 3xx or 4xx (CCC Literature) | 3 | |
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPA 4xx elective | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 9 | |
| Schedule/Do Oral Prof. Interview (OPI) | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 4xx elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Students majoring in Spanish who are interested in teaching in grades PK-12 can dual major in World Languages Education (PK-12). Upon successful completion of the dual major, SJU degree requirements, and required certification exams, teacher candidates may apply to obtain an Instructional I World Language PK-12 Education Teaching Certificate from the State of Pennsylvania. Students must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.
In addition to their Spanish advisor, Spanish and World Languages Education (PK-12) dual majors will also be assigned an advisor from the Education Department who will guide them through their required Education courses. The Education advisor will also assist students seeking teacher certification in formally applying for the SJU Educator Preparation Program, usually in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in EDU 492 PK-12 Student Teaching in their senior year. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.