Objectives

This major equips students with language proficiency in Spanish as it introduces them to the multicultural nature and historical evolution of literary and cultural expressions in the target language. It provides students with opportunities to comprehend, interpret, and practice advanced linguistic skills in Spanish through oral and written exercises and assignments. Survey and seminar classes familiarize them with representative literary works and cultural texts from Spain, Latin America, the U.S., and other diasporic Spanish-speaking populations. Our students become familiar with theoretical terminology and concepts essential to analyze these and other cultural products. The major also includes the study of Spanish phonology, morphology, syntax, and dialectal varieties. Students consistently participate in intercultural events and service learning activities in academic and culturally significant contexts. They acquire an increasing commitment to the mission of the University.

Spanish Student Learning Outcomes

Spanish majors will know:

• The variety and nature of linguistic practices of Spanish-speaking populations
• The variety and nature of cultural texts of Spanish-speaking populations
• The variety and nature of cultural perspectives of Spanish-speaking populations
• Representative literary works and cultural texts from Spain, Latin America, the U.S., and other Spanish-speaking populations
• Theoretical terminology and concepts essential to analyze literary and cultural texts.

Spanish majors will be able to:

• Understand spoken Spanish at the appropriate level
• Speak Spanish at the appropriate level
• Read Spanish at the appropriate level
• Write Spanish at the appropriate level
• Use acquired theoretical and critical skills to textual analyses and scholarly research
• Demonstrate an informed knowledge of literary works developed by Spanish-speaking populations
• Demonstrate an informed knowledge of cultural products developed by Spanish-speaking populations
• Demonstrate an informed knowledge of linguistic varieties developed by Spanish-speaking populations.

Spanish majors will also demonstrate an appreciation for:

• The evolution and variety of perspectives in Spanish-speaking cultures
• The mission of our University
• Transcultural similarities and differences. 

Major Requirements

LMU Spanish Placement Exam

Any student who has knowledge of or has had prior instruction in Spanish in high school or at a college or university other than LMU must take the LMU Spanish Placement Exam.

This requirement includes students who have taken an AP Spanish Exam in high school. A student who receives a score of 5 or 4 on the AP Spanish Exam (Language and/or Literature) might place in SPAN 321 Stylistics and Composition , SPAN 204 Intermediate Spanish II , or SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish II for Latino Students . Final placement is conditional upon the instructor’s consent. The student’s CAPP report will reflect credit for SPAN 101 , SPAN 102 , and SPAN 203  after official scores have been received from the College Board. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that the official AP scores have been sent to Loyola Marymount University.

To know when and how a student should take a language placement exam in Spanish, please refer to the guidelines provided under Modern Languages and Literatures .

Study Abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to take language courses abroad for a semester either during their sophomore year (Spring semester) or junior year (Fall or Spring semester). Prior to departure, students must obtain transfer credit approval for any courses that they plan to take. No more than two Spanish courses will transfer for the major. Consult the Study Abroad Office or the Spanish language professors for information about semester, year-long, or summer study abroad programs offered by other universities other than those that the Spanish program endorses.

Spanish Model Four-Year Plan

The normal course load is 15 semester hours per semester (5 classes). By following the model below, a student who places at the second semester level of Spanish (SPAN 102 ) at the time of admission into our program will complete most major prerequisites and all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year. Students with no previous knowledge of Spanish will be able to complete the program in four years if they are willing to take a Spanish course approved by our department, either abroad or at another institution during the summer. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.

Spanish Model Four-Year Plan—For Students Starting at an Advanced Level of Proficiency

The normal course load is 15 semester hours per semester (5 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the sophomore year as well as most major prerequisites. Note that core areas are suggested to provide a distribution of various disciplines every semester. Please be flexible implementing these suggestions, given your own interests and course availability. In four years, this plan meets all common graduation requirements.