Education
SPAN 471 prepares students to teach Spanish, and the major broadly supports careers in secondary and higher education language instruction.
Hispanic Studies builds professional-level Spanish proficiency alongside a rich understanding of Hispanic culture, history, and literature spanning Spain and Latin America. The program prepares students for intercultural exchange and communication at the local, national, and international levels.
Students build a foundation through advanced conversation and composition, then explore Hispanic literature, history, and culture through electives spanning Latin American and Spanish literature, civilization, political writing, and film. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and can fulfill part of the major's requirements. Graduates leave with competitive Spanish communication skills supporting careers in business, education, journalism, criminal justice, law, and many other fields.
Students seeking Spanish proficiency without committing to the full major or minor can pursue the Certificate Program in Spanish and Hispanic Cultures, a focused 16-credit program in advanced Spanish language and culture.
Requirements
SPAN 307
Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4 hrs
Electives
Six of: SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition (may be repeated with a different topic) · SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters · SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature · SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry · SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain · SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America · SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America · SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema · SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence · SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture · SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature · SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers · SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story · SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture · SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History · SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language · SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel · SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
24 hrs
Study Abroad or Elective
SPAN 300 Study Abroad (strongly encouraged) — or a second SPAN 307 — or another upper-level Spanish course with instructor's consent
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
32
SPAN 307
Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4 hrs
Electives
Five of: SPAN 300 Study Abroad (strongly encouraged) · SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation & Composition (may be repeated with a different topic) · SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters · SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature · SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry · SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain · SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America · SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America · SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema · SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence · SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture · SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature · SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers · SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story · SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture · SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History · SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language · SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel · SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
20 hrs
Total Hours Required
24
Certificate Program in Spanish and Hispanic Cultures
This certificate is a 16-credit program that builds oral, reading, and written proficiencies in Spanish, while increasing the understanding of Hispanic cultures. It is designed for those seeking to further their skills without having to complete the minor or major. The 16 credits required derive from the successful and committed completion of four upper-level courses selected from the Hispanic Studies program's advanced offerings. A candidate for the certificate will need a GPA from the four courses of 3.3 or higher and will need to demonstrate Advanced-high sublevel proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
CourseHrs.
SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4
Select three of the following
SPAN 300 Study Abroad
4
SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition (may be repeated with a different topic)
4
SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters
4
SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature
4
SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry
4
SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain
4
SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America
4
SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures
4
SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America
4
SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema
4
SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence
4
SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture
4
SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature
4
SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers
4
SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures
4
SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story
4
SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture
4
SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History
4
SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language
4
SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel
4
SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
4
Total Credit Hours
16
Career Outcomes
Business & International Relations
Professional-level Spanish proficiency, including coursework in business Spanish, supports careers in international business, trade, and global organizations.
Law, Government & Criminal Justice
Spanish fluency is a significant asset in law, government, immigration services, and criminal justice careers serving Spanish-speaking communities.
Journalism & Communications
Coursework in Hispanic culture and media supports careers in journalism, translation, and communications work serving Spanish-speaking audiences.
Faculty
Hispanic Studies builds professional-level Spanish proficiency alongside a rich understanding of Hispanic culture, history, and literature spanning Spain and Latin America. The program prepares students for intercultural exchange and communication at the local, national, and international levels.
Students build a foundation through advanced conversation and composition, then explore Hispanic literature, history, and culture through electives spanning Latin American and Spanish literature, civilization, political writing, and film. Study abroad is strongly encouraged and can fulfill part of the major's requirements. Graduates leave with competitive Spanish communication skills supporting careers in business, education, journalism, criminal justice, law, and many other fields.
Students seeking Spanish proficiency without committing to the full major or minor can pursue the Certificate Program in Spanish and Hispanic Cultures, a focused 16-credit program in advanced Spanish language and culture.
Requirements
SPAN 307
Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4 hrs
Electives
Six of: SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition (may be repeated with a different topic) · SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters · SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature · SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry · SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain · SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America · SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America · SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema · SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence · SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture · SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature · SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers · SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story · SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture · SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History · SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language · SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel · SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
24 hrs
Study Abroad or Elective
SPAN 300 Study Abroad (strongly encouraged) — or a second SPAN 307 — or another upper-level Spanish course with instructor's consent
4 hrs
Total Hours Required
32
SPAN 307
Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4 hrs
Electives
Five of: SPAN 300 Study Abroad (strongly encouraged) · SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation & Composition (may be repeated with a different topic) · SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters · SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature · SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry · SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain · SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America · SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America · SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema · SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence · SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture · SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature · SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers · SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures · SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story · SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture · SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History · SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language · SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel · SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
20 hrs
Total Hours Required
24
Certificate Program in Spanish and Hispanic Cultures
This certificate is a 16-credit program that builds oral, reading, and written proficiencies in Spanish, while increasing the understanding of Hispanic cultures. It is designed for those seeking to further their skills without having to complete the minor or major. The 16 credits required derive from the successful and committed completion of four upper-level courses selected from the Hispanic Studies program's advanced offerings. A candidate for the certificate will need a GPA from the four courses of 3.3 or higher and will need to demonstrate Advanced-high sublevel proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
CourseHrs.
SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition
4
Select three of the following
SPAN 300 Study Abroad
4
SPAN 307 Topics in Advanced Conversation and Composition (may be repeated with a different topic)
4
SPAN 310 Cultural Encounters
4
SPAN 312 Survey of Latin American Literature
4
SPAN 316 Studies in Hispanic Poetry
4
SPAN 317 Civilization of Spain
4
SPAN 318 Civilization of Latin America
4
SPAN 319 Seminar in Hispanic Cultures
4
SPAN 321 Political Writings of Latin America
4
SPAN 329 Latin America through the Cinema
4
SPAN 333 Hispanic Professional Competence
4
SPAN 340 Poetics of Violence in Chilean Culture
4
SPAN 345 Seminar in Spanish Literature
4
SPAN 350 Hispanic American Women Writers
4
SPAN 353 Disease and Disability in Hispanic Cultures
4
SPAN 360 The Latin American Short Story
4
SPAN 365 U.S. Latino Culture
4
SPAN 375 Topics in Mexican Culture and History
4
SPAN 380 Analysis of the Spanish Language
4
SPAN 420 The Latin American Novel
4
SPAN 471 Practicum in the Teaching of Spanish
4
Total Credit Hours
16
Career Outcomes
Education
SPAN 471 prepares students to teach Spanish, and the major broadly supports careers in secondary and higher education language instruction.
Business & International Relations
Professional-level Spanish proficiency, including coursework in business Spanish, supports careers in international business, trade, and global organizations.
Law, Government & Criminal Justice
Spanish fluency is a significant asset in law, government, immigration services, and criminal justice careers serving Spanish-speaking communities.
Journalism & Communications
Coursework in Hispanic culture and media supports careers in journalism, translation, and communications work serving Spanish-speaking audiences.