Spanish Language, Literatures, and Culture Major
Undergraduate Program Director: Elisa Gironzetti, Ph.D.
Academic Advisor: Chris Lewis, Ph.D.
Heritage Language Advisor: Evelyn Canabal-Torres, Ph.D.
The undergraduate major in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures consists of 36 credits of coursework beyond the intermediate prerequisite level, with an additional supporting area (nine credits). All students will take a core of four courses and a three-course literature/culture sequence focused on Spain or Latin America. The remaining coursework will come from one of three tracks: (1) Literature, Culture, and Media; (2) Linguistics, Culture, and Education; or (3) Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts.
Placement in Courses
All students new to The School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLC) courses must take the online Foreign Language Placement Assessment (FLPA) before registering for classes. Visit http://arhu.umd.edu/undergraduate/flpa/ for more information.
Double Major/Double Degree
A student may wish to fulfill the major requirements in two chosen fields. If the two majors do not belong to the same college, the requirements of both colleges must be met. The courses for the other major will fulfill the Spanish Supporting Courses requirement. A double major may be earned with completion of all requirements and a total of 120 credits. A double degree may be awarded with completion of all requirements and a total of 150 credits. The student must decide on a primary and a secondary major. Academic decisions for each student are made by the primary college.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the requirements for the major in Spanish can expect to be able to speak, read, write, and understand Spanish at a level that would allow them to communicate with native speakers, to recognize and interpret the diverse cultural perspectives and products of the Spanish-speaking world, and to be culturally sensitive members of society. Students will acquire the following knowledge and skills:
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of varied aspects of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and act in appropriate and culturally sensitive ways.
- Show competence in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Spanish as a way to communicate with other cultures.
- Analyze and interpret a variety of texts and traditions from diverse Spanish-speaking cultures, including that of the United States.
- Communicate effectively in Spanish both orally and in writing on a range of topics.
- Conduct research in Spanish in the areas of language, literature, and culture.
- Demonstrate bilingual functionality and therefore increase their marketability and performance in the work place.
To declare a major in Spanish, students should meet with the undergraduate advisor to begin the process.
Prerequisites
11 credits (or equivalent knowledge)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN103 | Intensive Elementary Spanish | 4 |
| SPAN203 | Intensive Intermediate Spanish | 4 |
| SPAN204 | Spanish Grammar Review | 3 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Core sequence
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College Requirements | ||
| SPAN207 | Reading and Writing in Spanish | 3 |
| or SPAN206 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers I | |
| SPAN301 | Advanced Grammar and Composition I | 3 |
| or SPAN306 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers II | |
| SPAN303 | Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World | 3 |
| SPAN311 | Advanced Communication I 1 | 3 |
| or SPAN316 | Spanish Translation I | |
| Select one of the following sequences: | 9 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature I: Medieval Times | ||
| Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature II: Renaissance and Baroque | ||
| Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature III: Modern Times | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Latin American Literatures and Cultures I: From Pre-Columbian to Colonial Times | ||
| Latin American Literatures and Cultures II: From Independence to Nation Formation | ||
| Latin American Literatures and Cultures III: From Modernism to Neo-Liberalism | ||
| Tracks | 15 | |
| Select one of the following Tracks: | ||
Track 1: Spanish and Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media | ||
Track 2: Spanish Linguistics, Culture, and Education | ||
Track 3: Spanish Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts | ||
| Supporting Area | ||
| Select 9 credits in a single area other than Spanish, 6 of which must be at the 3xx or 4xx level, all with the approval of the Spanish advisor 2 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Not intended for native, near native, or fluent speakers.
- 2
Students should discuss their choice of supporting area with the Spanish advisor early on in their Spanish studies.
Tracks
Track 1: Spanish and Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media (15 Credits)
This option provides greater expertise in Spanish or Latin American literature, culture, and media. Students will take four 400-level Spanish or Latin American literature, culture, and media courses at a minimum and one class from the offerings in language, culture, and professional contexts as follows:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Translation of Technical Texts | ||
| Spanish for Business I | ||
| Spanish for the Health Professions | ||
| Spanish and the Law | ||
| Spanish in the Media | ||
| Spanish in the Community | ||
| Spanish in the Life Sciences | ||
SPAN470 | ||
| Select four 4xx-level courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Track 2: Spanish Linguistics, Culture, and Education
This option provides greater expertise in Hispanic linguistics: three upper-level courses in linguistics and two courses from Spanish or Latin American Literature and Culture. It is also the partner program for Secondary Education.1
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN325 | Hispanic Linguistics I: Grammar and Society | 3 |
| SPAN425 | Hispanic Linguistics II: Structures of Spanish | 3 |
| SPAN426 | Hispanic Linguistics III: Language in Use | 3 |
| Select two 4xx-level courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
The approved program in Spanish and Secondary Education requires 2 upper-level courses in literature and culture along with the three linguistics courses this option provides.
Track 3: Spanish Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts
This option combines courses in professional areas to provide a better understanding of professional language environments: three upper-level courses from the language, culture, and professional contexts area and two classes from the offerings in language, culture, and media.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following courses in Spanish in Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts: | 6 | |
| Translation of Technical Texts | ||
| Spanish for Business I | ||
| Spanish for the Health Professions | ||
| Spanish and the Law | ||
| Spanish in the Media | ||
| Spanish in the Community | ||
| Spanish in the Life Sciences | ||
SPAN470 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication and Negotiation | ||
SPAN470 | ||
| Select two 4xx-level courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Courses for Heritage Learners
Heritage learners and students from homes where Spanish is spoken or who have had in-depth exposure to Spanish take a series of courses designed to enhance their skills:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN206 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers I | 3 |
| SPAN306 | Spanish for Heritage Speakers II | 3 |
| SPAN307 | Oral Communication Skills for Heritage Speakers of Spanish | 3 |
- Placement in courses for heritage learners is determined by speaking with the Spanish advisor.
- Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level should speak with the undergraduate advisor for course substitutions.
Students must earn a grade of "C-" or higher in each course applied toward a major or minor in the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Additionally, an overall GPA of 2.0 in a major or minor is required for graduation.
Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Arts and Humanities.
Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:
- http://4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog
Study Abroad
All students majoring in Spanish are encouraged to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment. The program advisor will review all proposed course sequences before the study abroad experience and determine equivalencies after official transcripts have been received by UMD (students should expect to present samples of work done abroad to advisor).
For information on study abroad programs, see the Education Abroad website: http://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/education-abroad/.
Combination of the Spanish Major and Teacher Certification
Students may combine the Linguistics, Culture, and Education track with a second major in Foreign Language Education to earn teacher certification. Students must take the California Achievement Test to become eligible for admission to the College of Education. Information and Declaration of Major forms can be found in room 1210 of the Benjamin Building. A graduate program in Education for teacher certification is available to students who receive a B.A. in Spanish from our department.
Note: All courses must be in Spanish.