2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Nov 26, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Spanish Major


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Program Coordinator/Contact
Christine.Garst-Santos, Spanish Program Coordinator
Department of Modern Languages and Global Studies
SWG 121
605-688-5101
www.sdstate.edu/mfl
Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
The Spanish major at SDSU consists of language, culture, literature and professional courses to prepare students for careers in which they will use Spanish as a language for communication. The major offers flexibility and can easily be added to another major.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of the Spanish major, students should be able to:

  • Speak, read and write Spanish at the intermediate-high or advanced level
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the cultures and communication cultures of the Spanish-speaking world
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Spanish civilizations and its cultural products, such as literature, art, government, etc.

Academic Requirements
Major Coursework: A minimum grade of “C” is required for a Spanish course to count towards the major or minor. Major courses used to fulfill the Institutional requirements (IGRs) must be different from those taken to fulfill the General Education requirements (SGRs).

Placement: Students who have a background in modern language study before entering the University should take the Placement Examination to determine the appropriate course in which to enroll. Credit may be obtained for courses exempted upon completion of one course in the department, with a grade of “C” or better, and the payment of the established fee to the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office. Please refer to Modern Language Credit under Academic Evaluation in the catalog for more detailed information.

Oral Proficiency Interview: An official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certified by the American Council in the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is required of all students majoring in Spanish. A minimum ranking of Intermediate Mid is required for all Spanish Majors and Intermediate High for majors with a teaching specialization.

Course Delivery Format
Most courses in the Spanish major are offered face-to-face on campus. Some upper-division courses are offered online, normally during the summer term.

Requirements for Spanish Major: 120 Credits


 Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences

System General Education Requirements*: 30


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5


College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 17-28


Bachelor of Arts 

  • Modern Languages Credits: 3-14 (completion and competency in one language at the 202 level or a department-approved advanced upper division language course) 
  • Social Sciences  Credits: 8
  • Humanities  Credits: 6

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications  and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 36


Required Courses: 12
Upper Division Electives: 24
  • Specific distribution according to emphasis
  • Must include at least 16 additional upper-division electives, for a minimum of at least 20 upper-division electives in the major
  • May include up to 4 credits of 200-level classes.   

The following is a suggested sequence for the non-specified 24 major credits.

      Advanced Language/Linguistics Electives: 3-6*
      Literature and Culture Electives: 6-9*
      Basic and Advanced Electives: 12*
       In addition to the courses above:

General Electives: 44


Required Total Credits: 120


Curriculum Notes


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

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