Spanish

Program Codes: BASPAN
Bachelor of Arts

Introduction:
The  Department of World  Languages and Cultures sees its role in the life of the University as a vehicle for the development of the whole person in a multicultural context through the most basic activities of human life: personal expression and social interaction.

We offer majors in French, Spanish, Russian Studies and International Business, as well as French and Spanish Education. Students may also pursue minors in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Chinese, French, Russian Studies, Spanish and Teaching English-Language Learners. Through these programs the Department prepares students for a future that demands a high level of linguistic proficiency and cultural competency.

Mission Statement
The Department of World Languages and Cultures supports the mission of the University by fostering meaningful language acquisition and cultural study that will enable our students to “exercise leadership in  service toward a just world.”

The department promotes the acquisition of indispensable skills in intercultural communication for our students’ future careers and personal development. Understanding that we cannot truly understand a people without understanding their language, the department’s focus is on quality, student-centered instruction in the reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills necessary to function in our target languages. Courses in world cultures and literatures are a vital complement to language study and support the University core value of global responsibility, which “challenges us to learn how to steward the resources of the Earth wisely and to act in solidarity with its diverse peoples.”

In order to foster awareness of world cultures, the department supports study abroad experiences, sponsors speakers and other events on campus, and serves as a language and cultural resource to the greater Erie community. The department of World Languages and Cultures works to foster respect for others, an openness to difference, and productive relationships facilitated through intercultural communication.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  • Speak and understand the target language at the Intermediate High level or above, as detailed in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
  • Read and write in the target language at the Intermediate High level or above (ACTFL).
  • Demonstrate cultural proficiency in the culture(s) that use the target language.
  • Discuss in the target language, both orally and in writing, literary and visual texts or cultural artifacts of the target culture
  • Conduct and produce research in the target language.
  • Demonstrate understanding of second language acquisition and the history of foreign language pedagogy (education majors).
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply understanding in practice teaching situations and to analyze and critique the teaching of others (education majors).

Major Requirements
All majors must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and at least a 2.75 GPA in major courses. French or Spanish Education majors must also meet all the requirements of the Education Department, including their GPA minimums. All majors and those students seeking teaching certification, are expected to maintain a portfolio which will be important for assessment at Sophomore Review.

An outline of requirements for the portfolio, which includes written and oral work, can be obtained from the  student’s  language  advisor  or  from the Department Chair. Students with previous experience in a language offered by  the department (including native speakers) must consult with the department faculty to be placed into an appropriate level course. The Department reserves the right to reassign students whose level of experience is not appropriate for the course.

Sophomore Review
During spring semester of the sophomore year, the Department reviews the student’s academic record, the language portfolio, and recommendations from professors to determine academic progress. At this time, qualified students are formally invited into the major and are informed in writing of the Department’s decision.

Senior Review
Spring semester of the senior year, students will meet with department faculty to conduct an exit review. Seniors will also participate in an oral proficiency interview in the spring of their senior year.  Additional details  can be found on the departmental website.

Chinese, French, or Spanish Minor

Students who wish to earn a minor in Chinese, French, or Spanish may do so by completing any eight courses in their language/culture area. However, students who begin their language study at the level of Intermediate I or higher may complete the minor with seven classes instead of eight. Minors may only satisfy two requirements with a literature or culture course taught in English (for example: SPAN 125, FREN 125/126, ASIA 125). Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the minor.

Arabic and Islamic Studies Minor

Students will take seven courses, a minimum of four of which must be in Arabic language. The remaining three classes may include any of those listed below, or other relevant courses as offered. Students who are unsure as to whether a course can be counted toward the minor should consult the program director.

ARAB 210 Conversation/Composition I - 3 credits

FREN 126 Francophone Cultures - 3 credits

HIST 291 History of Modern Middle East - 3 credits

POLI 240 Comparative Politics: Africa - 3 credits

RLST 208 Islam - 3 credits

Asian Studies Minor

Students will take eight courses, with a minimum of four in an Asian language. The remaining four courses may include any culture or literature courses as offered by the Asian Studies or Chinese programs and./or relevant courses as offered by other departments such as those listed below. Students who are unsure as to whether a course can be counted toward the minor should consult the program director.

ASIA 125 Asian Cultures - 3 credits

ASIA 135 Topics in Asian Studies - 3 credits

CHNS 110 Far Eastern Ideographs - 3 credits

HIST 275 History of Central Asia - 3 credits

POLI 241 Comparative Politics: Asia - 3 credits

RLST 206 Hinduism - 3 credits

RLST 207 Buddhism - 3 credits

Teaching English-Language Learners Minor 

Students in any major may earn a minor in Teaching English-Language Learners. Minor requires completion of the 18-credit hour (6 course) program and one additional elective approved by the program director detailed below. 

Required Courses 

WL 101/501 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners - 3 Credits

WL 312/512 Second Language Acquisition* - 3 Credits

WL 314/514 Introduction to Sociolinguistics - 3 Credits

ELL 301/515 Supporting Literacy for English Language Learners* - 3 Credits

ELL 400/500 Teaching English as a Second Language: Issues in Theory and Practice* - 3 Credits

ELL 405/505 Professional and Program Development for English Language Learners - 3 Credits

*Includes a 20-hour practicum

Students choose a major program in Spanish. Entrance into the major program is determined by the successful completion of the Introduction and Intermediate sequence or by the demonstration of equivalent skills on the CLEP, A.P., or International Baccalaureate examinations. As stated above, students must also successfully pass through the Sophomore Review process before formal admittance to the major is granted.

Spanish - Required Courses:

OR

Spanish - Elective Sequence:

Majors must choose at least two (2) electives in their major language

Degrees & Certificates
Course Descriptions