Spanish, B.A.

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 Latin America, Spain, 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.

LMU Spanish Placement Exam

All students interested in taking a Spanish course including SPAN 2101 Spanish 1 must take the online 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 2103 Spanish 3 or SPAN 2113 Spanish 3 for Latino Students. Final placement is conditional upon the instructor’s consent in consultation with the Spanish Program Coordinator. The student’s Degree Works will reflect credit for SPAN 2101 Spanish 1 and SPAN 2102 Spanish 2 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.

Spanish courses in lower division (SPAN 2101 Spanish 1, SPAN 2102 Spanish 2, SPAN 2103 Spanish 3/SPAN 2113 Spanish 3 for Latino Students) can be waived without credit if students placed in SPAN 2804 Stylistics and Composition in their placement exam. Waived no-credit classes do not have to be made up to complete the Spanish major. Credit earned from AP Language and/or Literature exams will be applied as general credits.

Study Abroad

Students considering study abroad are advised to go for a semester either during their sophomore year (Spring semester) or junior year (Fall or Spring semester). Consult the Study Abroad Office or the Spanish language professors for information about semester, year-long, or summer study abroad programs offered by universities other than those that the Spanish program endorses.

Prior to departure, students must obtain transfer credit approval for any Spanish (SPAN) course(s) that they plan to take from the Spanish coordinator and the Department Chair.

No more than one (1) Spanish upper division course will transfer for the major or minor. Be aware that most study abroad programs offer three (3) unit courses. If a course taken abroad is worth only 3 units, a student should take a second Spanish course to be able to transfer 4 units.

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 Latin America, Spain, 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 conduct 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 (29-37 semester hours)

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Spanish courses in lower division (SPAN 2101 Spanish 1, SPAN 2102 Spanish 2, SPAN 2103 Spanish 3/ SPAN 2113 Spanish 3 for Latino Students) can be waived without credit if students placed in SPAN 2804 Stylistics and Composition in their placement exam. Waived no-credit classes do not have to be made up to complete the Spanish major. Credit earned from AP Language and/or Literature exams will be applied as general credits.

Note:

Students must complete all Spanish 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 4990 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 from the Spanish Program Coordinator in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. This course is graded Credit/No Credit.

Secondary Teacher Preparation Program in Spanish

The Secondary Teacher Preparation Program (STPP) in Spanish is designed for students who anticipate teaching Spanish in grades 6-8 or 9-12. Because of the rigorous standards set by the State of California for teacher credentialing, the Program at LMU is very specific in terms of the coursework you will be taking. With careful planning, however, it is possible to complete a Spanish major, the University’s Core Curriculum requirements, the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program for Spanish, and the School of Education credential requirements in four years.

Students must fulfill all requirements for a Spanish major and take two additional courses or their equivalents in Spanish:

• SPAN 4252 Hispanic Cultural Studies
• SPAN 4474 Spanish of the Americas

Spanish Major Requirements

Please see four-year plan for Spanish major.

School of Education Requirements

School of Education Credential Requirements (Non-Degree Requirements)

Students fulfill the Single Subject student teaching requirement for the preliminary teaching credential by completing 5-8 semester hours of EDES 518 Secondary Teaching Seminar, which are applied toward both the semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree in Spanish and the requirements for the preliminary credential within the state of California. Student teaching is met through elective units taken as EDES 518 Secondary Teaching Seminar.

Advising

Students should consult with the Director/Advisor for the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program in Spanish to sign up for the program and to discuss their course of study, especially their Spanish courses.

The Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation (CUTP)

The Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation (CUTP) is also available to assist students interested in teaching careers in elementary, secondary, bilingual, and special education. Students interested in a career in teaching should consult with the CUTP Director to discuss their options. All students in the teacher preparation pipeline work with a dedicated CUTP advisor for all education coursework. CUTP has a library of information and advice for prospective teachers as well as sponsors several informational sessions every year. CUTP is located in UNH 3346. Please contact cutp@lmu.edu for more information.

School of Education Admission

Students interested in adding a preliminary credential in Spanish must apply for admission to the School of Education to formally add the preliminary credential to their program. Students should work with the STPP Director and their advisor in CUTP to determine when to apply. Instructions on this process can also be found here (Undergraduate Teacher Preparation - Secondary Education - Preliminary Single Subject Credential).

Spanish Model Four-Year Plan

The normal course load is 16 semester hours per semester (4 classes). By following the model below, a student who places at the second semester level of Spanish (SPAN 2102 Spanish 2) 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 16 semester hours per semester (4 classes). By following the model below, a student will complete all lower division core requirements by the end of the first semester of their first 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.

Four Year Plan for Secondary Teacher Preparation Program in Spanish