Program: B.A., Spanish
Language and Culture
Program Description
The Spanish major—consisting of four options: I. Literature, II. Language and Culture, III. Hispanic Linguistics and IV. Translation and Interpretation—is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career in secondary, college or university teaching, or who intend to pursue other careers where a strong background in Spanish is essential. Students should seek advisement from Spanish faculty advisors concerning the option best suited to their goals.
Note that the Spanish major requires a capstone paper to be written in a 400-level course of the student’s choice.
Students with some knowledge of Spanish who want to take lower division courses should take the Spanish placement exam before registration. The exam is available on a drop-in basis at certain hours or by appointment in the Barbara Ann Ward Language Center (BAWLC), JR 316.
Students with advanced placement cannot receive credit for courses below the level at which they are placed. However, 200-level classes may be waived or replaced by appropriate classes. Please consult an advisor.
Credential Information
Students interested in teaching Spanish in the secondary schools should seek advisement as soon as possible. The Spanish program currently offers a Subject Matter Program that has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and that meets the Subject Matter Competency requirement for a Single Subject Credential waiver. Once a student has successfully completed the program, he or she will have demonstrated subject matter competency in Spanish and, thus, will not be required to take the California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) in Spanish. Students completing the program are encouraged to apply to a teaching credential program. Students who want to teach Spanish must choose the Language and Culture option of the major, which has the same requirements as the Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential waiver. For details on the Single Subject Credential program, see the Credential and Department of Secondary Education sections in this Catalog. See also the disclosure statement regarding Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing.
This is the option with the same requirements for the Single Subject Credential waiver.
Program Requirements
1. Core Courses Common to All Options (24 units)
Take all of the following courses (18 units):
SPAN 220A Intermediate Spanish I (3)
SPAN 220B Intermediate Spanish II (3)
SPAN 304 Advanced Grammar and Composition (3)
SPAN 306 Advanced Composition (3)
SPAN 307 Introduction to the Analysis of Hispanic Literature (3)
SPAN 401 Language and Culture (3)
Choose one course from the following (3 units):
SPAN 315A Literature of Spain I (3)
SPAN 315B Literature of Spain II (3)
Choose one course from the following (3 units):
SPAN 363 Literature of Latin America I (3)
SPAN 364 Literature of Latin America II (3)
2. Language and Culture Option Courses (18 units)
Choose one course from the following (3 units):
SPAN 300 Advanced Conversational Spanish (3)
SPAN 310 Language and Contemporary Hispanic Life (3)
Choose three courses from the following (9 units):
SPAN 380 Latin American Civilization (3)
SPAN 381 Spanish Civilization (3)
SPAN 400 Structure of the Spanish Language (3)
SPAN 497 Comparative Structure of Spanish and English (3)
Choose one course from the following (3 units):
SPAN 382 Literature and Society in Latin America (3)
SPAN 383 Literature and Society in Spain (3)
Take the following course (3 units):
SPAN 425 Spanish Phonetics (3)
2. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 42
General Education Units: 48
Additional Units: 30
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Chair: Adrian Perez-Boluda
Sierra Tower (ST) 405
(818) 677-3467
Student Learning Outcomes
- Prepare students for careers in teaching (secondary, community college, university), among others in legal, medical, administrative and journalistic fields, translation and interpretation, etc., which require advanced-level (ACTFL Guidelines) abilities in both oral and written skills.
- Provide students with techniques, strategies, methodologies and skills to carry out independent research that supports career choices.
- Establish a solid foundation for lifelong learning, service and participation in the Hispanic, Latino and global communities.
- Carry out research and apply critical theories in analysis of Hispanic linguistics, literatures, civilizations and cultures.
- Communicate at the advanced level using a variety of rhetorical modes in both oral and written discourse.
- Achieve subject matter competency (as stated in the Standards of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing) to enter a credential or a graduate program in Spanish at any U.S. university.