Spanish, BA

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 have recently led short-term Ambassador study abroad programs to Spain, Costa Rica, and Chile, and popular summer-semester, and year-long destinations offered through USAC and ISA include these countries as well as Argentina, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Peru.

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.  We teach a full year each of Spanish for Business, Spanish for Law Enforcement and Social Work Personnel, and are significantly expanding offerings in Spanish for Medical Professions.

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 working with the Latino community.  Extracurricular opportunities that may lead to career placement include work as tutors, SI leaders, peer instructors, and Spanish Club officers.

Graduate Teaching Preparation Program:

Students who wish to teach Spanish in Ohio public schools earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in the Spanish.  A sequence of education courses and school placements are required during the bachelor’s degree.

Majors are encouraged to contact faculty for a mock Oral Proficiency Interview required of teaching candidates prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree.

Candidates must meet with a College of 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.

Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, candidates must complete the graduate teacher preparation program through the College of Education and Human Services.

Requirements for admission to the graduate teaching preparation program include a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 or higher, C or better grades in all undergraduate content courses, admission testing, reference forms, writing sample and other application materials.  Admission interviews may be required.

Merit based scholarships are available.

Program completers with passing scores on state mandated exams and a clear background check, may apply for the Multi-Age License through the Ohio Department of Education.

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, thus allowing them to interact effectively within a Spanish-speaking society and in any culturally complex situation.
• Have a strong foundation in the geography, history and literary tradition of the Spanish-speaking world.
• Understand the impact Spain and Spanish culture and linguistics have had and continue to have on other cultures. 
• Have strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

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.  Student 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 two areas, Conversation and/or Composition, and receive Prior Learning Assessment “Pass” credits for SPN 3110  and/or SPN 3210  .  Important note:  students may not receive PLA credit for both upper level (SPN 3110  and SPN 3210  ) and lower level courses SPN 1010 , SPN 1020 , SPN 2010 , SPN 2020  ).

See the Modern Languages website for details, including fees.