Spanish Major

Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Department Chair: Martine Motard-Noar, Ph.D.

Description

An understanding of Spanish is essential in this country today, not only to maintain and improve our cultural and economic ties with the 20 countries in which Spanish is the official language, but also to learn about and appreciate the cultural diversity of over 63 million Hispanics residing in the United States. The Spanish major provides an opportunity for non-native and heritage learners alike to not only build on their language skills, but also to explore cultural representation in film, television, social media, and literature and gain a deeper understanding of the histories of countries where the language is spoken. Our proficiency-oriented approach is supported by multimedia/technology to provide opportunities for original-language practice in context which is supported by residency in the Spanish Language House on campus, study abroad, and internship opportunities.

Placement Testing

All students must start by taking the Placement Test. Students may place at the 1101, 1103, 2000 level or higher. Those placing at the 2000 level or higher are exempt from taking lower-level courses. Up to 12 credits towards the major may be waived for students entering at the upper intermediate level or higher.

Requirements

Required Sequence of Courses:

SPA 1101 - Elementary Spanish I AND
SPA 1102 - Elementary Spanish II
OR
SPA 1103 - Elementary Spanish for Advanced Beginners
Three 2000-level Spanish courses or higher
Three 3000-level Spanish courses, except SPA 3100
SPA 3304 - Spanish Syntax & Composition #
SPA 4410 - Advanced Studies in Spanish II OR approved Special Topics course (This requirement must be taken at McDaniel College.)

One additional course in Spanish OR one course taught in English on a relevant topic as approved by the department, such as:

Residency:

Spanish majors are required to complete residency through participation in study abroad or on campus at the Spanish House. Students opting to live in Spanish House must register for SPA 3100 each semester to earn a total of two credits for the completion of the major.

Program hours are 44 hours if residency requirement completed through study abroad OR
Program hours are 46 hours if residency requirement completed by living in the Spanish House.

Study Abroad, Immersion Experience, Spanish House

One semester or summer spent studying abroad with a minimum of a 12-week residency requirement (and at least 60% of the credits transferred back to McDaniel must be taken in Spanish);
or equivalent language immersion experience living and working in a Spanish speaking country (at the discretion of the department and with prior approval);
or one year in residence in the Spanish language house on campus (1 credit/semester).

Total Program Hours: 44 or 46

Departmental Writing Requirement

Students who major in Spanish are required to take SPA 3304 as part of the major as notated with the # symbol.

Requirements for Departmental Honors

Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.4;
Have a 3.5 GPA in the Spanish major;
Be recommended by the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures;
Engage in an independent study and submit a 20 to 25-page paper in Spanish or a minimum 40-page translation from Spanish into English (if the student has taken a translation class in Spanish) with a public end-of-year academic presentation.
- The student must receive an A on the paper or translation to receive Departmental Honors (If the student were to not receive an A, the student does receive credits for the independent study project but does not receive honors).

PK-12 Teacher Certification

Students seeking teacher certification must take SPA 3303 or SPA 3309. Please see Spanish (PreK-12) teacher certification requirements under Programs: Education minor (PreK-12) for Spanish major.