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Spanish

Professor Sam Overstreet, Chair, Division of Languages and Literature

Associate Professor Geoffrey Mitchell, Coordinator

As a modern language spoken by more than 329 million people on nearly every continent, Spanish ranks number 2 worldwide in terms of native speakers. Nevertheless, the study of Spanish does not simply involve language acquisition vis-à-vis classroom instruction; the acquisition of a language requires intellectual engagement through the study of the various cultures and histories of the peoples who claim Spanish as their native tongue. The members of the Spanish faculty are dedicated to facilitating the acquisition and understanding of this modern language in a practical fashion and in a variety of settings such as serving in an internship in the general community and, for students eligible to travel abroad, via a study abroad experience in a Spanish-speaking country. In addition, students of Spanish are expected to increase second language proficiency—oral, aural, and written—via exposure to and academic engagement with a variety of media be it literary, film, historical, or professional (journalism, business, etc.). These media challenge students to question their perception of the various Hispanic cultures and to engage in critical inquiry that leads to a wider understanding of the world.

Given the international and domestic influence of Spanish and Hispanic cultures in all aspects of daily life, the Major in Spanish provides a holistic academic, cultural, and linguistic preparation that enables the student to compete in a professional market increasingly needful of bilingual employees. The Major is an ideal—and arguably necessary—complement to any professional pursuit that requires contact with native speakers of Spanish.

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

  1. Knowledge of literary terminology and concepts.
  2. Knowledge of major authors and works from both the Latin American and Spanish literary traditions.
  3. Knowledge of literary style and its development in various periods in Latin America and Spain.
  4. Knowledge of the historical, cultural, political, and philosophical events and movements that have had a bearing on the development of Hispanic literatures.

Skills

  1. Ability to write an analysis of a text in Spanish.
  2. Ability to use spoken Spanish effectively in order to communicate ideas and to defend a position.
  3. Ability to identify Spanish-speaking countries and capitals on a map as well as in geographical relation to other countries.
  4. Ability to articulate the value of the education abroad experience as an integral aspect of the major.
  5. Ability to understand spoken Spanish from a variety of areas (U.S., Spain, Central & South America, Caribbean) with a reasonable level of comprehension.
  6. Ability to identify different grammatical structures and concepts and use with proficiency.
  7. Ability to conduct independent research on a topic related to Spanish (literature, history, culture).
  8. Ability to effectively communicate information about a research project through development and delivery of an oral presentation in Spanish.
  9. Ability to write in Spanish using appropriate vocabulary, satisfactory syntax, and correct grammar.
  10. Ability to read and understand a variety of texts in Spanish with discernment.