Program Requirements
Students who complete the major requirements for a bachelor of arts in Spanish will show mastery of both written and spoken Spanish for daily life and academic topics, as well as a broad understanding of the history, heritage, culture, and relevant issues affecting various Spanish-speaking cultures.
Major Requirements
36 hours of major coursework120 total credits for graduation
Majors are required to participate in an approved foreign study program in Spanish, such as the winter program in Cuenca, Ecuador. The study abroad requirement may be waived for heritage speakers by substituting a minimum of 4 sh of SPAN 4970 Internship in Community Spanish.
Minor Requirements:
20 semester hours
Academic Catalog ÌýCore Curriculum
Course Descriptions
The following descriptions are a sample of courses you may take as a Spanish major. For a complete list of required courses, please review the academic catalog.
Introduction to Spanish through materials relating to culture and contemporary society, with equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Coordinated with multi-media materials. No credit for SPAN 1010 will be granted to students who have completed more than two years of high school Spanish within the last five years.
Introduction to Spanish through materials relating to culture and contemporary society, with equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Coordinated with multi-media materials.
Expansion of vocabulary, review of grammar, and extended involvement in conversation and writing through work on short readings about contemporary Hispanic culture.
Expansion of vocabulary, review of grammar, and extended involvement in conversation and writing through work on short readings about contemporary Hispanic culture.
Taught only as part of a study abroad program.
An introduction to how the sound system of Spanish functions with emphasis on phonetic transcription, accentuation, syllabification, spelling, dialectical variations, and contrast with English.
A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Mexico from pre-Colombian societies to the present. Taught in English. Does not count for the major or minor.
An intensive review of problematic grammar and vocabulary through short literary selections to strengthen written expression.
Advanced intermediate course taught in Spanish, intended to familiarize students with major trends and some specific detail concerning the culture and history of Spain. Course content will expand vocabulary and reinforce grammar while improving skills of summary and synthesis.
Advanced intermediate course taught in Spanish, that introduces major trends in four regions of Latin America: The Caribbean, the Andes, the Southern Cone and Central America. Course content will expand vocabulary and reinforce grammar while improving skills of summary and synthesis.
This course is an intensive review of Spanish grammar, with a large component of the most problematic elements of the subjunctive. It includes other grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions as well. Emphasis is on both oral and written fluency. Evaluation is based on oral presentations, class work, essays, and written tests.
A 25-page research paper on a topic approved by the chair of the department. Student must have approval of department chair.
Senior Capstone seminar on selected topics in Spanish and/or Latin American literature. Students do intensive reading of texts and theory and write a final thesis paper in Spanish. Required for the Spanish major. Students can repeat the course with different topics studied.
A non-credit course in which all Spanish majors must register in order to complete their final requirements to graduate: a portfolio, an oral proficiency interview, CLA Exam, and written exit questionnaire. Graded on a pass/fail basis.
Students work with one of several organizations in the Chicago region or as part of a study abroad program. Areas of specialization include social work, ministry, legal or psychological counseling, education, and political activism. Please refer to the internship section of the catalog for further requirements and guidelines.