In today’s interconnected world, mastering a second language offers a significant advantage, opening doors to diverse cultures and expanding career horizons. With Spanish holding the position as the second most spoken language globally, pursuing a Spanish Minor is not just an academic enrichment—it’s a strategic investment in your future. This program is meticulously crafted to cultivate advanced linguistic, cultural, and literary proficiency in Spanish. By immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of literary texts, films, and cultural expressions from Spain and Latin America, you will gain invaluable skills through intensive reading, writing, and research, all conducted in Spanish.
Elevate Your Skills: Learning Outcomes of the Spanish Minor
The Spanish Minor program is designed to equip you with a comprehensive skill set, ensuring you graduate with a demonstrable expertise in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures. Upon completion, you will be able to:
- Communicate Fluently: Achieve advanced-high level oral proficiency in Spanish, aligning with ACTFL standards, enabling confident and effective spoken communication.
- Read Comprehensively: Attain advanced-high level reading competence in Spanish, allowing you to engage with complex texts and diverse written materials.
- Write Effectively: Master advanced-high level writing skills in Spanish, facilitating clear and articulate written expression across various contexts.
- Navigate Cultures with Ease: Develop advanced-high level intercultural competence within the Spanish-speaking world, fostering understanding and sensitivity in cross-cultural interactions.
- Appreciate Hispanic Heritage: Identify and analyze major works, figures, trends, periods, and movements in Hispanic literary, artistic, and cultural traditions, recognizing the vast diversity of the Hispanic world.
- Analyze Critically: Perform in-depth analyses of literary, cinematic, and other cultural “texts,” applying formal knowledge (genres, point of view, tropes) and contextual understanding (author’s cultural, aesthetic, historical, and political backgrounds).
The Rationale: Spanish Proficiency in a Globalized World
In an era defined by globalization, bilingualism and biculturalism are not merely assets—they are necessities. Proficiency in a second language, particularly Spanish, provides students with a distinct competitive edge in almost any profession. Consider the increasing demand within the U.S. State Department, which prioritizes language skills across numerous federal agencies, including:
- Foreign Services
- International Communication Agency
- National Security Agency
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Immigration and Naturalization Services
- Bureau of Narcotics
- Department of Treasury
- Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
- Office of Economic Opportunity
Moreover, roles in vital public service sectors such as social work (law enforcement, welfare, health services, nursing, counseling), and dynamic creative industries like arts, media, and entertainment (advertising, journalism, publishing), as well as the robust financial sector, increasingly favor candidates with foreign language certifications. A Spanish Minor not only enhances your resume but also significantly strengthens your applications to prestigious graduate and professional programs, making you a standout candidate in a competitive landscape.
Thinking about names, for example, even understanding a common name like John In Spanish Language (“Juan”) can be a small but significant step in appreciating cultural nuances and connecting with Spanish speakers. This minor goes far beyond just vocabulary; it’s about cultural immersion and real-world applicability.
Your Guide: The Spanish Minor Coordinator
For personalized guidance and further information about the Spanish Minor, reach out to Professor Javier Morero Rivero, the dedicated coordinator from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. You can contact him directly at [email protected].
Program Structure: Requirements and Academic Planning
To earn your Spanish Minor, you will need to complete 18 credits, which translates to six carefully selected courses in Spanish language, literature, culture, and translation, starting at the 200-level. Flexibility is built into the program, allowing up to two courses to potentially overlap with your major or another minor.
Academic Pathway: The Spanish Minor builds upon foundational Spanish language skills. Typically, this includes completing the beginning Spanish sequence (SPA 101–SPA 102 OR SPA 111–SPA 112) or demonstrating equivalent proficiency through a placement test. These introductory courses also fulfill General Education requirements within the Flexible Core: World Cultures and Global Issues, and the College Option: Communications areas. Placement testing is conveniently available in the Modern Language Lab, room 7.65.00 NB.
Program Evolution: Important Information for Students
For students who matriculated or declared this minor from September 2016 onwards, the current program structure applies. Students who enrolled prior to this date have the option to follow either the current curriculum or the previously established version from the 2015–2016 Undergraduate Bulletin, offering flexibility based on individual academic timelines.
Course Breakdown: Required and Elective Options
The Spanish Minor is structured into two parts, ensuring a balanced and enriching learning experience.
Part One: Essential Courses (6 Credit Hours)
These required courses provide a foundational base for your Spanish Minor:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 215 | Spanish Conversation & Composition | 3 |
| SPA 401 | Contemporary Issues in Hispanic Literature | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 6
Part Two: Elective Courses (12 Credit Hours)
Customize your Spanish Minor with a selection of electives, allowing you to explore specific areas of interest within Spanish language and culture.
200-Level Electives (Choose Two):
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 201 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| SPA 211 | Intermediate Spanish I for Heritage Students | 3 |
| SPA 212 | Intermediate Spanish II for Heritage Students | 3 |
| SPA 230 | Translating I | 3 |
| SPA 231 | Interpreting I | 3 |
| SPA 250 | Spanish for Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SPA 255 | Spanish for the Professional | 3 |
300-Level Electives (Choose Two):
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 309 | The Theme of Justice in Spanish Lit (Taught in Spanish) | 3 |
| SPA 320 | Latin-American Theatre Taller de Teatro/Theatre Workshop | 3 |
| SPA 321 | Spanish Literature I | 3 |
| SPA 322 | Spanish Literature II | 3 |
| SPA 331 | Latin-American Literature I | 3 |
| SPA 332 | Latin-American Literature II | 3 |
| SPA 336 | Themes of Justice in Latin American Lit & Film (Taught in Spanish) | 3 |
| SPA 351 | Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Issues in Hispanic Film and Literature | 3 |
| SPA 354 | Hispanic Film | 3 |
| SPA 357 | Violence Against Women in the Spanish-Speaking World | 3 |
| SPA 359 | The African Legacy in Latin America Through Literature and Films | 3 |
| SPA 380 | Advanced Selected Topics in Spanish | 3 |
| SPA 389 | Independent Study 300-level | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 12
Important Note: All courses within the minor are conducted primarily in Spanish. While higher-level courses can substitute for lower-level ones, the reverse is not permitted. For instance, SPA 320 can fulfill the requirement for SPA 250. Furthermore, this list of electives is not exhaustive; other relevant departmental courses taught in Spanish may be considered with departmental chair approval.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit: Exceptional performance on the Spanish Literature and Culture AP exam in high school, with a score of four or higher, can earn you 6 credits towards your minor. These credits can be applied using SPA 201/211 and SPA 202/212, accelerating your progress in the Spanish Minor.
Total Credit Hours for Minor: 18
By choosing a Spanish Minor, you are not just learning a language; you are equipping yourself with a powerful tool for global engagement and career success.
