Program Description:
The Department of Modern Languages offers a major and a minor in Spanish.
The major in Spanish entails a profound study of the language, history, culture, literature and film of the Spanish-speaking world. All elementary through advanced-level classes are designed to progressively develop students’ oral and written proficiency and cultural confidence and are conducted exclusively in the target language. Thematically cohesive courses in composition and conversation equip students with advanced communication skills that can be used effectively in academic, social and professional contexts. Study abroad is encouraged and many students fulfill requirements for the Spanish major in two-week to one-year long individual exchanges, teacher-led courses abroad and consortium sites. Spanish faculty lead short-term Ambassador study abroad programs to Spain, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Popular summer-semester, and year-long destinations offered through USAC, KEI Study Abroad and ISA include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and Spain.
The Spanish major is particularly useful for students wishing to enter globally oriented careers in business, education, international development, government, law and law enforcement, communications, medical professions, translation, interpretation, travel industry, health professions, and social work. Students have the opportunity to learn Spanish tailored to their chosen careers, including medicine/nursing, law enforcement, social work, and business.
Those students who qualify for Departmental Honors may prepare an in-depth project focusing on an area of expertise, including projects involving service to the Dayton area Spanish-speaking community. Students may also register for an internship program in the local social service organizations and businesses working with the Latino community. Extracurricular opportunities that may lead to career placement include work as tutors, Supplemental Instruction leaders, peer instructors, and Spanish Club officers.
Teacher Preparation Program:
Students who wish to teach Spanish in Ohio public schools earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish. A sequence of education courses and school placements are required during the bachelor’s degree.
Majors are encouraged early on to contact faculty for a mock Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and a Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) required of teaching candidates prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree.
Candidates must meet with a College of Health, Education, and Human Services Licensure Advisor early in the bachelor’s degree program to learn how to apply for school placements, deadlines, admission details, and other important information.
Undergraduate Language Requirement, College of Liberal Arts:
Spanish majors will have met their language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts by completing requirements for the major.
Placement:
Students with no Spanish background will begin with SPN 1010; those who have studied Spanish previously or who are heritage speakers will take a placement test to determine the best course for their skill level. Native or near-native Spanish speakers are encouraged to take a proficiency test in oral and written Spanish to verify placement. Details about the placement test and proficiency test for prior learning assessment are available on the Modern Languages website.
Prior Learning Assessment:
The Department of Modern Languages believes that students having learned Spanish in high school, through living abroad, or by any other means have the right to earn prior learning credit in Spanish. Those students who place into Spanish classes between the 1010 and 2020 levels, and attain a grade of C or better may earn “Pass” credits for sequenced courses below that level. Students who have placed into a 3000- or 4000-level course may earn “Pass” credits for 1010 through 2020. By the ninth week of the semester, students desiring prior learning assessment should request and complete their PLA form at the Department of Modern Languages.
Native and near-native speakers of Spanish may take the Spanish language proficiency test in Conversation and Writing, and receive Prior Learning Assessment “Pass” credits for SPN 3110 and/or SPN 3210.
If transferring applicable credit in fulfillment of departmental requirements, a minimum of 4 upper-level courses must be taken at Wright State.
See the Modern Languages website for details, including fees.
Only courses with a grade of P (Pass/No Credit courses), or a grade of C or better (ABCDF courses) may be applied to the major.
Admission Requirements
- 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Grade of “C” or higher in ENG 1110 or 1140
OR
- Grade of “C” or higher in two other Wright State Core courses taught by the College
Requirements for admission to either the undergraduate or the Multi-Age Education Licensure program include a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or higher, C or better grades in all undergraduate content and education pre-requisite courses, and standardized testing.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Be able to understand, speak, read and write Spanish at an “Intermediate High / Advanced Low” level as defined by the proficiency criteria of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
- Understand and respect cultural differences leading to effective interaction within a Spanish-speaking society and in any culturally complex situation.
- Have a strong foundation in the geography, history and literary tradition of the diverse Spanish-speaking world.
- Understand the impact Hispanic cultures and the Spanish language have had and continue to have on other cultures.
- Develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
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