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Program Codes:
BASPAN
Bachelor of Arts
The World Languages and Cultures program is a vehicle for the development of the whole person in a multicultural context through the most essential activities of human life: personal expression and social interaction.
We offer majors in Russian Studies, Spanish, and Spanish Education. Students may also pursue minors in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Chinese, Russian Studies, Spanish, and Teaching English-Language Learners. In addition, we offer coursework in French and American Sign Language. Through these programs we prepare students for a future that demands a high level of linguistic proficiency and cultural competency.
Mission Statement
Our programs support 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.”
World Languages and Cultures promotes the acquisition of indispensable skills in intercultural communication for our students’ future careers and personal development. Understanding the fundamental importance of language in human relationships and global communication, we focus on rich, student-centered instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension skills. Courses in culture, literature, and linguistics 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 addition to classroom experience, we offer study abroad experiences, sponsor cultural events on campus, and serve as a language and cultural resource to the greater Erie community. In all of our programs, we work to foster respect for others, an openness to diverse experiences, and productive relationships facilitated through intercultural communication.
Major Program Outcomes
Major Requirements
All majors must maintain an overall 2.5 GPA and at least a 2.75 GPA in major courses. 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 used for assessment at Sophomore and Senior Review (see advisor for portfolio requirements).
Students with previous experience in a language offered by the department (including native and heritage speakers) must consult with the department faculty to be placed into an appropriate level course. We reserve 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 faculty 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 faculty to conduct an exit review. Seniors will also participate in a formal oral proficiency interview in the spring of their senior year, resulting in on official rating from Language Testing International.
Chinese or Spanish Minor
Students who wish to earn a minor in Chinese 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 or ASIA 125). Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the minor.
Russian Studies Minor
Students will take eight courses, five in Russian language and three from other courses as offered, including courses in history, political science, culture, literature or linguistics.
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.
Historical and cultural development of Latin America. Lectures, class discussions, and readings examine the most significant aspects and trends of political, literary, economic, social and artistic life. The course is conducted in English.
A study of the major trends in literature from the Pre-Columbian period to present day, with emphasis on the authors of the "Boom" and "Post-Boom" years. This class is conducted in English.
An intensive study of the subjunctive mood, as well as some of the more sophisticated grammatical patterns and idiomatic structures of Spanish, designed to increase proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the language. For students with 4 or more years of prior study.
Using short stories, poems, and novels, students will enhance their reading comprehension while discussing literay concepts such as plot, theme, metaphor and symbol.
SPAN 204
This course presents an introduction to the culture and history of Spain. Literature, lecture, film, and art introduce the student to geography, history, and politics of Spain as well as contemporary issues such as regionalism, immigration, and the European Union which are shaping modern Spain.
SPAN 204
Students will develop their communicative skills, while building vocabulary and a greater understanding of structure and idioms, through composition and guided as well as spontaneous conversations.
Content determined by preference of students/professor. Focus may be on a literary movement, a century, or a genre. Group will then examine the relationships between cultural patterns and literary tendencies.
SPAN 204
This upper level course focuses on the mastery of the International Phonetic System, the phonemes and allophones of Spanish/French, phonetic and phonemic transcription, dialectical variation, etc.
SPAN 204
Student will hone their skills in compositoin, writing descriptive, narrative, expository and argumentative essays. Students wll examine several basic differences in the structure of the Spanish and English languages before addressing problems of translation.
SPAN 204
This course does not assume prior language or linguistics study but rather introduces students to the social aspects of language, in general, and to the relationship between language and social factors that affect its usage, such as geography, gender, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic class.
Majors must choose at least two (2) electives in their major language
Using Spanish as the language of instruction, this course examines business practices in Latin America and Spain in an era of globalization. Students will acquire the vocabulary and cultural skills needed to interact in a business setting. Memo, resume and business letter writing, as well as the interview and telephone skills, will be practiced.
SPAN 204
This course explores the language and cultural knowledge needed for effective communication in health care and social service settings, at the Intermediate-mid level. We will study the vocabulary and functions needed to communicate about physical and mental health, child welfare, victim advocacy, and basic legal issues. In addition, we will explore the cultural contexts
around health care, mental illness, immigration, race, and the criminal justice system, with readings, films, and speakers. Emphasis will be placed on oral communication and real-world
application, including interpretation training and simulation and a service-learning experience in the community.
SPAN 203 or equivalent
Using Spanish as the main language of instruction, this course will introduce you to the structural and social aspects of language in general, and to the ways these aspects manifest in the Spanish-speaking world. We will analyze English and Spanish contact in the United States, as well as other language contact situations around the globe, such as communities where Spanish intertwines with indigenous languages. Topics discussed will include dialects, types of bilingualism, code-switching, issues of language and power, and the socio-political ramifications of bilingual/bicultural education. The course does NOT assume prior linguistics/sociolinguistics study, although students possessing such knowledge will have an opportunity to share experiences with the class.
SPAN 204
With instructor approval, students may use this course to develop an independent study program based on their experiences abroad. Students must have spent at least four weeks in a Spanish-speaking country and must arrange, prior to the trip, to complete a research or creative project and present it during the semester following their return.
SPAN 204
