Majors

B.A. Curriculum. A major in Spanish (2520) consists of at least 21 semester hours in courses numbered 300 or above, taught in the target language, including 341, 342, 451, three hours of culture and civilization and three hours of literature. Completion of 341 or 342 is prerequisite to all other courses above 300. Additional non-foreign language prerequisites to the major are History 121-122, 200 and Geography 152 or 381. For majors intending to pursue advanced degrees in graduate school, English 450 is strongly recommended. All general education requirements for the B.A. degree must be met.

Majors in foreign languages are required to complete a language immersion experience as approved by the faculty adviser. The department will assist in placement appropriate to the student’s needs, which might include residence in a foreign country, study abroad, exchange programs, international internships, or other experiences that assure intensive cultural and language experiences. In the semester prior to graduation, majors are also required to assemble a portfolio under the supervision of a faculty adviser. This portfolio will include writing samples from various advanced classes and the results of two tests designed to assess
language knowledge, proficiency and cultural literacy: an Oral Proficiency Interview and a departmental exam in advanced Spanish grammar.

Majors in foreign languages are encouraged to enhance their education by completing, as appropriate, complementary programs of study in fields as diverse as English, political science, economics, travel and tourism, communications and education. Combining foreign language with training in such fields will better enable majors to pursue graduate studies and careers in various rofessions.

Minors and Certificates of Proficiency

B.A. or B.S. Curriculum. A minor in French (M-2510), German (M-2530), or Spanish (M-2520) consists of at least 12 hours in courses numbered 300 or above.

A Certificate of Proficiency in French, German, or Spanish language and culture entails at least 15 hours of upper-division coursework, with the following specific requirements:

1. Advanced Conversation (341) and Advanced Composition (342);
2. one course in civilization and culture;
3. The Language of Business and the Professions (451);
4. any additional upper-division course in language, literature, film, or civilization or an approved internship;
5. in the semester prior to graduation, students will be required to demonstrate their competency in the target language by taking an Oral Proficiency Interview and an examination in advanced grammar. (Foreign language majors are not eligible for this Certificate.)

Minors and Certificates of Proficiency are advantageous for students majoring in disciplines in the liberal arts, such as English, history and music, who intend to pursue advanced degrees in graduate school. They are also recommended for students majoring in professional fields, such as agriculture, business administration, engineering, travel and tourism, communications and social work, where knowledge of foreign languages and cultures is highly beneficial, given today’s global economy.