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.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LIN 101 | Language and Communication | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Second Lang Acquis & Lrning | ||
| Teaching Lang at Home/Abroad | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Phonetics | ||
| Communication in Soc Contexts | ||
| Bilingualism & Lang Diversity | ||
| Topics in Linguistics | ||
| TESOL Internship | ||
Any approved Latin American Studies course outside of Modern and Classical Languages | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Other courses that specifically focus on some aspect of the Spanish-speaking world may be approved as an IL course if deemed appropriate by the Spanish major advisor. See Dr. Heather Hennes for more information about the major.
Major Requirements
Requires 10 SPA courses (30 credits) including:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 310 | Intro to Latin American Lit | 3 |
| or SPA 311 | Introduc to Spanish Literature | |
| SPA 380 | Intro to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| or SPA 466 | Spanish Dialectology | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intro to Latin Amer Cultures | ||
| Introd to Spanish Cultures 2 | ||
| Spain:Study Tour 2 | ||
| Spain in the New Millenium | ||
| Cur Evnts in the Sp-Lang Media | ||
| The remaining SPA credits must include at least 2 4xx level SPA courses. Students must also complete a Foreign Language Capstone, which is an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish. For more information, please refer to: http://www.languagetesting.com/academic.cfm. and follow the links to Tests>Speaking>OPI | 12 | |
| 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.
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 (http://www.sju.edu/academics/centers/cip/studyabroad) 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. Modern and Classical Languages faculty also offer Study Tour Courses to Argentina/Uruguay and Spain. Study Tours offered by other departments have included destinations such Bolivia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. Study Tours offered by other departments do not count toward the Spanish major or minor, (except as Integrative Learning courses for the major) 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.
Students majoring Spanish who complete the double major in Secondary Education may apply to obtain an Instructional I, Secondary Education (12) Teaching Certificate from the State of Pennsylvania. In addition to their Spanish advisor, Spanish/Secondary Education double 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 teacher certification program, usually in the spring semester of their sophomore year.
Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in Student Teaching in their senior year. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field | 3 |
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 157 | Adolescent Development w/Field | 3 |
General Education Overlays
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 302 | Spanish Composition | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field | 3 |
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| LIN 101 | Language and Communication | 3 |
| MAT 111 | The Mathematics of Patterns | 3 |
| or MAT 118 | Introduction to Statistics | |
| or MAT 128 | Applied Statistics | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Major Requirements | ||
| SPA 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| SPA 301 | Spanish Conversation | 3 |
| SPA 302 | Spanish Composition 1 | 3 |
| SPA 350 | Intro to Latin Amer Cultures 2 | 3 |
| or SPA 351 | Introd to Spanish Cultures | |
| or SPA 352 | (Post)Modern City in Spain | |
| or SPA 353 | Latin American Cinema | |
| or SPA 356 | Spain:Study Tour | |
| or SPA 357 | Spain in the New Millenium | |
| SPA 310 | Intro to Latin American Lit | 3 |
| or SPA 311 | Introduc to Spanish Literature | |
| or SPA 315 | Animals in Literature | |
| SPA 380 | Intro to Spanish Linguistics | 3 |
| Two SPA 300/400 Level Electives | 6 | |
| Two 400 Level SPA Electives | 6 | |
| Education Major Requirements | ||
| EDU 150 | Schools in Society w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 157 | Adolescent Development w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 247 | Literacy in Cont Areas w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 230 | Eval: Secondary Grades 7-12 | 3 |
| EDU 414 | Instr Techniq Flang w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 491 | Secondary Student Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- 1
Heritage speakers of Spanish having completed SPA 303 complete a SPA elective in place of SPA 302.
- 2
Students may not count both SPA 351 and SPA 356 toward the major/minor.
Free Electives
The number of electives will vary. 120 credits required for graduation. Complete enough electives to meet this requirement after completing GEP and major requirements.