Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts > Modern Languages and Literatures > Spanish

Spanish

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Modern Languages and Literatures

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Spanish Model Four-Year Plan

Spanish Major

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

Lower Division Requirements:

SPAN 101, 102, 203, and 204 or 205.

Any of these courses may be satisfied by placing above that level through the LMU Spanish Placement Exam. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in all lower division Spanish courses.

Upper Division Requirements:

Spanish Major: The major in Spanish requires 25 semester hours in upper division courses: SPAN 321, 322, 333; 6 semester hours in SPAN 331, 332, or 334; 9 semester hours in 400-level Spanish electives; and SPAN 500, a senior capstone project (1 semester hour). Students are permitted to take up to 31 upper division hours in Spanish. Students must complete all upper division courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0).

Senior Capstone Project: Portfolio Requirements:

Spanish majors are required to register for a one-credit course (SPAN 500, Senior Capstone Project) during, or after, their last semester in the Spanish major program. Each graduating student constructs a portfolio that includes a collection of previous works, a brief description of extracurricular activities connected with the Spanish major, and a reflective essay in Spanish demonstrating how the goals of the program were met. These goals are language proficiency, cultural competency, mastery of literary and linguistic studies, development of a sense of social justice, and transcultural understanding. An oral presentation of the portfolio to a faculty panel is required.

Guidelines for the elaboration of the portfolio and the oral presentation are available in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. This course is graded Credit/No Credit.

Secondary Teacher Preparation in Spanish

For information on this program, see the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program section in this Bulletin.

Spanish Minor

Lower Division Requirements:

SPAN 101, 102, 203, and 204 or 205.

Any of these course may be satisfied by placing above that level through the LMU Spanish Placement Exam. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in all lower division Spanish courses.

Upper Division Requirements:

Spanish Minor: The minor consists of 18 semester hours in upper division courses: SPAN 321, 322, and 333; 6 semester hours in SPAN 331, 332, or 334; and one upper division 400-level Spanish elective. Students must complete all upper division courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0) to maintain status.

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, 102, and 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.