Coursework in American Sign Language, French, and Spanish is offered by members of the faculty of the Division of Literature, Languages, and Philosophy. Coursework in foreign languages emphasizes instruction in the fundamentals of syntax, pronunciation, and idiomatic expressions. There is a four-way approach to teaching foreign languages (listening/comprehension, conversing, reading, and writing). Instruction takes place in both the classroom and the foreign language laboratory, where students practice speaking and pronunciation and where they watch video material, films, or documentaries in the foreign language they study. Intermediate and upper-level courses stress the acquisition of communicative skills and cultural or literary information.
Students who pursue a baccalaureate degree are required to complete 6 semester credit hours of a foreign language (101 and 102 or 171 and 172) as part of the Liberal Studies Requirements, or to demonstrate elementary knowledge in a foreign language by making the necessary score on an AP examination or on a CLEP examination (see the Catalogue section on Credit by Examination/Certification and credit for Life Experience). Foreign language proficiency examinations are also available to those who seek advanced placement in a foreign language or exemption from the foreign language requirement (see the Catalogue subsection on Proficiency Examination Programs).
Elementary foreign language courses 101 and 102 or 171 and 172 must be taken in sequence and in the same language.
To satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, students must complete a total of 121 semester credit hours including a 36-credit-hour core, nine hours in supporting electives chosen from a specific list of courses in foreign languages, a three-hour support course and 16 credit hours in free electives. A total of 45 semester credit hours at the 300/400 level are required for graduation.
SPA 201: Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202: Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 303: Advanced Spanish I
SPA 304: Advanced Spanish II
SPA 320: Hispanic Culture and Civilization
SPA 355: Spanish Linguistics
SPA 398: Advanced Spanish Composition
SPA 399: Advanced Spanish Conversation
SPA 401: Survey of Peninsular Literature
SPA 402: Survey of Latin-American Literature
SPA 424: Spanish Film and Art
SPA 499: Senior Seminar in Spanish
II. Supporting Electives. Nine hours (three courses) chosen from:
SPA 275: Intermediate Spanish Composition
SPA 325/EDU 304: Foreign Languages for Classroom Teacher
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