Program Objectives

Spanish language minor objectives are based on the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning and on the ACTFL Proficiency guidelines. With the introductory to intermediate level courses required in the language minor students can expect to develop an intermediate-high level of proficiency. These goals are integrated into all individual courses as well as the Spanish program in its entirety.

Curriculum

Six courses in Spanish will be selected by the student in consultation with the departmental advisor. Students with no background in Spanish will begin the sequence with SPAN 101 Spanish I. Students with high school or other background language will be placed in SPAN 102 Spanish II, SPAN 103 Spanish III or SPAN 104 Spanish IV.

Learning Outcomes

• Content Knowledge: Students acquire linguistic and cultural knowledge in the beginning sequence courses that pertain to the countries where the language is spoken.
  • Students use the linguistic system (grammar and vocabulary) to relate to and expand their knowledge in reference to daily routines, university life, art, music, travel, family relationships and medical treatments.
  • Students will apply these concepts to the Spanish speaking countries studied and reflect upon their own cultural comparisons made through the learning process.
• Communication: Our communicative teaching approach provides the ideal basis for students to learn the language via the four communication skills essential to proficiency that include reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • Students will engage in conversations, provide and obtain information and express themselves orally in reference to society, free time activities and everyday experiences in work and study.
  • Students will present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on health, Hispanic arts, travel, job skills, environmental issues and relevant immigration topics that inspire reflections related to the reading passages used in the courses.
  • Students will talk about future plans and hypothetical situations related to the today’s society and the Spanish speaking world, express feelings and emotions, exchange opinions, express wishes and recommendations.
• Critical Thinking and Analysis: The move from using the linguistic system in basic conversation towards reading, analyzing and interpreting written texts will help develop more formal competency at the intermediate level.
  • Students will gain interpretive and analytic skills through the close readings of short stories, articles, poems and songs to acquire cultural knowledge of important historical concepts, social justice issues, cultural traditions and overall relevant themes in many Spanish speaking countries.
  • Students will improve writing skills in Spanish through attention to the principles and techniques of composition, and through the editing of their own work.
• Civic engagement and study abroad opportunities Students acquire intercultural competency which includes an awareness and appreciation of diverse Hispanic cultures and communities.
  • Students will engage in social and environmental issues via audio-visual resources and study abroad opportunities.
  • Students are encouraged to research and lead class discussions on cultural topics related to politics, history, geography, literature and films.