Spanish, BA
On This Page
Program Description
The Spanish program offers a major and minor in Spanish. The main focus of the program is to develop the student’s language proficiency and the literary, cultural, and practical application competencies demanded by many professional fields. To accomplish these goals, the Spanish curriculum includes courses in general and professional Spanish Language, Hispanic Linguistics, and Spanish and Spanish-American Literatures and Civilizations. These courses are provided for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with or without Secondary Teacher Certification; for those fulfilling Second Language requirements or the Language, Philosophy, and Culture requirement in the Core Curriculum Program, and for those seeking electives to support majors and minors in other fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- demonstrate advanced proficiency in Spanish through performance on examinations, in-class presentations, and research papers;
- demonstrate the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret important cultural, linguistic, and literary issues relating to Spanish-speaking countries, cultures and peoples through in-class presentations, examinations, projects, and research papers;
- demonstrate proficiency in the practice, theory, and ethical aspects of culture, linguistics, and literature as they relate to Spanish-speaking countries, cultures and peoples through in-class presentations, examinations, research papers, and projects;
- be prepared to teach Spanish and/or continue their studies at the graduate level.
For students planning to register for 3000 or 4000 level courses, Spanish Faculty approval or a prerequisite of two 2000 courses (or equivalent) is required. For Teacher Certification, both the TExES examination (LOTE-613 [Languages Other Than English]) and the PPR-160 (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Test) must be completed.
Students interested in Credit by Examination towards the Spanish major or minor must do so through the AP, IB, CLEP, or ACTFL exams. Students who choose the CLEP exam need to be cleared by a member of the Spanish faculty to apply those credits towards the major (or minor) and enroll in upper-division courses. The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish requires a minimum of 36 semester hours in Spanish, out of which 30 must be upper-division. The distribution of upper and lower-division hours can be found below. Students seeking a B.A. in Spanish must complete the following requirements.
About Upper-Division Spanish Courses
To enroll in upper-division Spanish courses, students must first do one of the following:
- pass two 2000 level Spanish courses.
- receive an equivalent score on the AP, IB, CLEP, or ACTFL tests.
- obtain approval from Spanish Faculty.
About the Teaching Certification
- Students interested in receiving the Teaching Certification in Spanish, see catalog section under Spanish Teaching Certification.
About Double-Majors and Double-Degrees
Students who pursue the Spanish major as support for another major or degree in a different discipline are allowed to complete the program with 36 hours, at least 21 of which must be upper-division. Since these students are completing entire programs in another field simultaneously, they are allowed to complete the 36 hours with any distribution of their choice.
On This Page
General Requirements
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program | 42 |
| University Seminar (when applicable)1 | 0-2 |
| Spanish Major Requirements | 36 |
| University Electives | 36 |
| Foreign Language Requirements | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-122 |
- 1
Full-time, first time in college students are required to take university seminar.
- USSE 1201 University Seminar (2 sch)
Program Description
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time, First-Year Students | ||
| University seminar | 0-2 | |
| University Seminar | ||
| Core Curriculum Program | ||
| University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Spanish Base Language | ||
| Select 6 hours of the following: | 6 | |
| Intermediate Spanish I (or credit by examination) | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II (or credit by examination) | ||
| Spanish for Heritage Speakers I (or credit by examination) | ||
| Spanish for Heritage Speakers II (or credit by examination) | ||
| Grammar, Writing & Oral Communication | ||
| SPAN 3302 | Spanish Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3303 | Spanish Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3312 | Spanish Grammar | 3 |
| Linguistics | ||
| Select 3 hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Spanish Phonetics | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | ||
| Methods in Foreign Language Instruction | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| Culture & Civilization | ||
| Select 3 hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Civilizations of the Spanish-Speaking World | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| Spanish Literature | ||
| Select 3 hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Spanish Literature | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| Latin American Literature | ||
| Select 3 hours of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Latin American Literature | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| Spanish Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from any of the following: | 9 | |
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Civilizations of the Spanish-Speaking World | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Literature | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Literature | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| Linguistics | ||
| Spanish Phonetics | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | ||
| Methods in Foreign Language Instruction | ||
| Topics in Spanish | ||
| University Electives | ||
| Select 36 hours of university electives. | 36 | |
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| See the College of Liberal Arts for the college language requirement. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120-122 | |
Course Sequencing
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ENGL 1301 | Writing and Rhetoric I | 3 |
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| SPAN 1311 | Spanish I | 3 |
| MATH 1332 or PHIL 2303 | Contemporary Mathematics or Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN 1312 | Spanish II | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 or COMM 1311 | Writing and Rhetoric II or Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN 2311 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Lower Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN 2312 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| University Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Lower Divisional Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN 3303 | Spanish Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3325 or SPAN 4390 | Introduction to Latin American Literature or Topics in Spanish | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN 3315 | Civilizations of the Spanish-Speaking World | 3 |
| SPAN 4327 or SPAN 4390 | Methods in Foreign Language Instruction or Topics in Spanish | 3 |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN 3312 | Spanish Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 3317 | Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics | 3 |
| SPAN 3320 | Introduction to Spanish Literature | 3 |
OR Any 3000 or 4000 SPAN course not taken before. | ||
| University Electives | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN 3302 | Spanish Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3311 | Spanish Phonetics | 3 |
| Any 3000 or 4000 SPAN course not taken before. | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
Courses
SPAN 1100 Introduction to Service Learning
1 Semester Credit Hour
This is a one-credit course in which students in Spanish 1311 or 1312 may enroll and participate. This service learning course aims to promote collaborative learning between college students learning Spanish and people in the community. Available upon application. Repeatable up to 2 hours.
SPAN 1311 Spanish I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Introduction to listening, speaking, reading and writing skills within a Spanish cultural framework. For students without previous knowledge of the language. (Language laboratory required. One hour per week.) *A lab fee is required for these courses.
SPAN 1312 Spanish II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Continued practice in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills within a Spanish cultural framework. (Language laboratory required. One hour per week.) A lab fee is required for these courses.
SPAN 2311 Intermediate Spanish I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed for students at the beginning intermediate level to further the acquisition of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, and their application in a variety of professional environments within a Spanish cultural framework. Counts towards the Foreign Language requirement in Spanish. Next course in sequence: SPAN 2312 or 2315.
TCCNS: SPAN 2311
SPAN 2312 Intermediate Spanish II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed for students at the intermediate level to further the acquisition of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, and their application in a variety of professional environments within a Spanish cultural framework. Counts towards the Foreign Language requirement in Spanish. Next course in sequence: Any SPAN 3000 or 4000 level course. Recommended courses: SPAN 3302, SPAN 3303, SPAN 3312 and/or SPAN 3315.
TCCNS: SPAN 2312
SPAN 2313 Spanish for Heritage Speakers I
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
An introductory course designed for bilingual students who wish to enhance their linguistic skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). This course will focus on the cultural and historical aspects related to the heritage Spanish speaker.
TCCNS: SPAN 2313
SPAN 2315 Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to guide Spanish heritage language learners, as well as advanced learners of Spanish, in the development of their oral proficiency, written communication, and grammatical accuracy while exploring different cultural aspects from the Spanish-speaking world. It is highly recommended for students who have taken SPAN 2313 and/or who are transitioning into upper-division Spanish courses.
SPAN 2316 Spanish for the Professions
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
The course stresses Spanish for the professions to enhance communication skills and cultural knowledge that will help to serve the South Texas Spanish-speaking population as well as to conduct interactions with Spanish speakers and/or businesses throughout the United States and the world.
Prerequisite: SPAN 2312.
SPAN 2317 Introduction to the Cultures of the Spanish Speaking Peoples
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A survey course designed for students with an interest in the variety of cultures of the Spanish-Speaking Peoples. We will learn about the complex histories that shaped the Spanish-Speaking World(s) and explore and critically analyze different cultural artifacts, such as architecture, literature, painting, sculpture and film. Conducted in English, unless otherwise specified. This course may be used to satisfy the university core curriculum in Language, Philosophy, and Culture.
SPAN 3302 Spanish Composition
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed to develop analytical perspectives in literary criticism and to strengthen reading and writing skills in Spanish through intensive reading of Spanish, Spanish American, and Chicano fiction.
SPAN 3303 Spanish Conversation
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed to strengthen the student's oral proficiency in the language through selected readings, videos and oral presentations.
SPAN 3311 Spanish Phonetics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A course designed to study the production and discrimination of the Spanish sound system with a general overview of the geographical and social distribution of phonemic and allophonic variants.
SPAN 3312 Spanish Grammar
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
The course will serve to expand vocabulary, further develop writing skills; understand, apply, and use Spanish grammatical structures, and communicate more accurately in written and oral Spanish within a Hispanic cultural context.
SPAN 3313 Introduction to Translation
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is an introduction to the theory, methods and practice of English to Spanish and Spanish to English translation of general texts from different fields. Challenges related to culture and language, as well as professional ethics will be examined.
SPAN 3315 Civilizations of the Spanish-Speaking World
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course has been designed to provide a general overview of the historical, sociocultural and political experience of peoples from the Spanish-Speaking world, both from Spain and Spanish America.
SPAN 3317 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course introduces the study of language, the main subfields of Hispanic linguistics, and their application to other sciences.
SPAN 3320 Introduction to Spanish Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A critical approach to the study of Spanish literature from the Middle Ages through the present. Representative works of Spanish literature are studied within their larger European context. It is highly recommended that students take any of the following before taking this course: SPAN 2313, 2315, 3302, 3303 have advanced proficiency or faculty permit. Conducted in Spanish, unless otherwise stated.
SPAN 3325 Introduction to Latin American Literature
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
A critical approach to the study of Latin American literature from the Pre-Columbian Period through the present. Selected readings in all literary genres, major themes, writers, and literary movements will be studied with a wide Latin American context. It is highly recommended that students take any of the following before taking this course: SPAN 2313, 2315, 3302, 3303, have advanced proficiency or faculty permit. Conducted in Spanish, unless otherwise stated.
SPAN 4100 Service Learning
1 Semester Credit Hour
This is a one-credit course designed specifically for students who are preparing themselves to serve the community using their Spanish language skills. Students in this course will familiarize themselves with the methodology of a particular field (heritage language teaching, translation, interpreting, etc) to be able to interact and serve Spanish-speaking individuals in the community. Available upon application. Repeatable up to 3 hours.
SPAN 4322 Medical, Scientific and Technical Translation
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
An advanced course in translation concentrating on medical, scientific and technical translation. The course is designed to extend student's knowledge of translation theory and consolidate their skills in specialized translation.
SPAN 4327 Methods in Foreign Language Instruction
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
This course is designed to study the current methods in foreign languages, their application in maximizing language proficiency, and the role of the students' culture and language during the learning process.
SPAN 4390 Topics in Spanish
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Study of specialized topics in language or literature. These courses may also be designed to develop terminology and overall Spanish proficiency regarding specific professions: Business, Medical, Criminal Justice, Sociology, etc. May be repeated when topics vary.
SPAN 4396 Directed Individual Study
1-3 Semester Credit Hours (1-3 Lecture Hours)
See College description.
SPAN 4398 Applied Experience
3 Semester Credit Hours
A practical work experience related to the Spanish area and related careers. It is intended to provide an opportunity for a student to gain first-hand experience in an unfamiliar field. Consequently, Applied Experience credit may not be granted for a student's regular work assignment or for previous work experience. Registration is by application. The application must include a clearly written description of the duties and responsibilities involved in the Applied Experience project, and be signed by the student, the on-site supervisor, and the faculty supervisor. Completed applications must be received in the Dean's Office by the last class day of the semester preceding intended registration. This course is graded "credit" or "no credit." No more than three semester hours of Applied Experience credit may be counted toward the baccalaureate degree. Undergraduate Applied Experience course will include no less than one hundred hours and no more than 150 hours of work experience per semester.
SPAN 4421 Business, Commercial, and Legal Translation
4 Semester Credit Hours (4 Lecture Hours)
An advanced course in translation concentrating on business, commercial and legal texts. The course is designed to extend student's knowledge of translation theory and consolidate their skills in specialized translation.