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, Spanish linguistics, Spanish for Healthcare Professions, and Spanish for Business and other professions. All courses are offered in Spanish. Students who major in Spanish are strongly encouraged towards experiential learning opportunities (study abroad, study tour, service learning in Spanish, internship). 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 | ||
| HIS 101 | Globalization in World History | 3 |
| or HIS 102 | Movements in World History | |
| or HIS 103 | Empires in World History | |
| 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 (Will count for PHL Level 1 Non-Ethics or Social Science) | ||
| Social Science | ||
| Language and Communication (Will count for PHL Level 1 Non-Ethics or Social Science) | ||
| Writing Intensive | ||
| Spanish Composition | ||
| Mission-Overlay | ||
Second Spanish Course at the 3xx or 4xx level must be certified as CCC-Mission (Ethics and Social Justice, Global Citizenship) | ||
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). | 15 | |
| 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). | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Heritage speakers of Spanish having completed SPA 303 complete a SPA elective in place of SPA 302.
Free Electives
To be awarded a bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 120 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 120 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and language placement.
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, and Spain, as well as programs in other Latin American countries, for which students may petition credit. Languages and Linguistics faculty offer Study Tour courses to Latin America and Spain. Study Tours offered by other departments (Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua) 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 to plan courses in advance that will meet major/minor requirements.
| 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 or World History | 3 | |
| Free Elective/Course for 2nd major | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 202 |
Intermediate Spanish II or Spanish Conversation or Spanish Composition |
3 |
| World History or Mathematics | 3 | |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 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/Course for second major | 6 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 302 | Spanish Composition ( or SPA 3XX) | 3 |
| Fine & Performing Arts, Design, Creativity | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPA 3xx or 4xx (CCC Literature) | 3 | |
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| SPA 3xx or 4xx | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPA 4xx elective | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 9 | |
| Schedule/Do Oral Prof. Interview (OPI) | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPA 4xx elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives/Course for second major | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Students majoring in Spanish who are interested in teaching in grades PK-12 can double major in Spanish and World Languages Education (PK-12). Upon successful completion of the double 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) 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 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.