2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Spanish (B.A.)



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Program Coordinator/Contact

Maria Spitz, Associate Professor of Spanish
School of American and Global Studies
Wagner Hall 103, Box 2275
605-688-4275

Program Information

Learning one or more foreign languages is about much more than just grammar and structure of languages.  To learn a language is to engage with the heritage of entire civilizations, as well as with the contemporary norms that structure societies’ politics, religions, identities, and workplace, in order to communicate more effectively.  Furthermore, language study provides models for dealing with cultural differences that are applicable in any part of the world, including the U.S., taken together, courses offered in Spanish at SDSU prepare students with the skills to function and communicate effectively in any environment.

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, developing solid competence in the language needed for everyday life and advanced narrative skills in the past, present, and future. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
  • Demonstrate understanding of and growth in the skills required for intercultural communication and competence and life-long learning. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity; Critical & Creative Thinking)
  • Identify the cultural perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world’s civilizations and their cultural products, such as literatures, arts, institutions, pop cultures, etc. and compare the cultural frames that determine everyday life in French- speaking cultures and the U.S. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Critical & Creative Thinking; Inquiry & Analysis; Information Literacy)
  • Adapt behavior to a variety of cultural contexts through critical analysis of cultural frames. (Cross-curricular Skills: Intercultural Knowledge; Creative & Critical Thinking; and Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Articulate the value of their language and cultural studies and apply this knowledge in future employment. (Cross-curricular Skill: Intercultural Knowledge; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Academic Requirements

Major Coursework

A minimum grade of “C” is required for a Spanish course to count towards the major or minor.

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 Testing Center. Please refer to Modern Language Credit under Policies & General Academic Information  in the catalog for more detailed information.

Oral Proficiency Interview

An official Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) certified by the American Council on 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, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements


College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

  • Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
  • AHSS 111 - Introduction to Global Citizenship and Diversity Credits: 3  
  • One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
  • Capstone course in the major discipline
  • Upper division coursework Credits: 33

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Arts specifications.

Select from the following


  • 21 credits total are required from the following 3 elective categories; distribution will vary for the Humanities Emphasis or the Professional Emphasis.
  • 15 of the 21 elective credits must be at the 300 and 400 level.
  • In total, 24 of the 36 credits required for the Spanish major must be at the 300 and 400 level.

Advanced Language/Linguistics Electives


Select from the following courses.  Credits: 3-6*
*Minimum of 1 course is required for the Humanities Emphasis;
*Minimum of 2 courses are required for the Professional Emphasis

Literature and Culture Electives


Select from the following courses.  Credits: 6-9*
*Minimum of 3 courses are required for the Humanities Emphasis;
*Minimum of 2 courses are required for the Professional Emphasis

Applied and Experiential Learning Electives


Select from the following courses. Credits: 0-9*
*No courses from this category are required; however students can draw from this category OR the previous categories (Advanced Language/Linguistics & Literature and Culture) in order to complete their remaining elective credits for a total of 21.

Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements 30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements* 9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements 36 Credit Hours
Electives** 51 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.

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