Languages and International Studies

The Department of Languages and International Studies at The College of St. Scholastica offers both a major and minor in Spanish. The courses in the program combine academic and experiential learning to prepare students with the linguistic and cultural skills to engage in responsible living and meaningful work in Spanish-language environments. Through the exploration of language, history, culture, literature, service-learning and contemporary issues in the Spanish-speaking world, the major and minor encourage communicative competency and the appropriate interpersonal/intercultural skills in both foreign and domestic settings. The programs prepare students with a solid background for work in or continued learning about Spanish and Hispanic cultures. Students may pursue a Minnesota K-12 license to teach Spanish by completing the Spanish major and the appropriate education courses as specified below.

Additional courses are being developed for the Spanish curriculum. Please consult the online version of the catalog for the most current information.

Requirements for the Major in Spanish

Core Courses: 16 - 22 credits required:
SPN 2101 Intermediate Spanish I or
SPN 2150 Intermediate Spanish I in Mexico           4 credits
SPN 2102 Intermediate Spanish II                            4 credits
SPN 3101 Advanced Spanish in Context II              4 credits
SPN 3102 Advanced Spanish in Conext II               4 credits
An internship or Service-Learning placement in Spanish       0-6 credits

Civilization and Culture Courses: 4 credits required
SPN 3601 Civilization of Spain                                    2 credits
SPN 3602 Civilization of Latin America                   2 credits

Literature Courses: 6 credits required
SPN 3514 Hispanic Poetry                                             2 credits
SPN 3516 Hispanic Short Stories                                 2 credits
SPN 3901 Hispanic Women Writers                           2 credits
SPN 3951 Masterpieces of Hispanic Literature        4 credits
SPN 3777 Topics in Hispanic Literature                   2-4 credits

Elective credits: 14 credits required (May include additional courses in Culture/Civilization and Literature)
ENG 2280 Literature in Translation*                        4 credits
HIS/LIS 3307 Latin American History                      4 credits
LIS 2050 Introduction to Mexico                                   2 credits
LIS 3202 Culture Through Film (Hispanic films)   2 credits
LIS/SPN 3303 The Other America                              4 credits
SPN 3150 Spanish Conversation in Mexico               4 credits
SPN 3777 Topics in Spanish                                       2-4 credits

Total credits required for major: 40 - 46.

*Only when the topic is Spanish language literature in translation.

The Spanish major is a Bachelor of Arts degree program.

• No more than 4 credits taught in English may count towards the major.
• Coursework taken while studying abroad in non-St. Scholastica programs may replace courses in the program with the prior consent of a Spanish advisor.
• Study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country is strongly recommended, including for the K-12 Teaching Preparation Track.

K-12 Teaching Preparation Track
Students pursuing a Minnesota K-12 license to teach Spanish mush complete the following:

• The Spanish major.
• Spanish Teaching Methods course (consult online catalog for details).
• Spanish Methods Field Experience (consult online catalog for details).
• Middle/Secondary Education requirements (see Education Department for details).

Requirements for the Minor in Spanish

• Twenty credits beyond the level of SPN 1104. Students who test out of SPN 2101 and/or SPN 2102 will have the value of the credits for these courses counted towards the minor.

• A 3000-level SPN course focusing on grammar. Similar courses in a study abroad program may replace this course with prior approval from St. Scholastica Spanish faculty. Prerequisite: SPN 2102. (Consult online catalog for details).

• At least one Spanish language literature course.

• Completion of one of the following civilization or culture courses: LIS/SPN 3303, LIS/HIS 3307, SPN 3601, or SPN 3602. In lieu of these courses, students may participate in a semester-long program to a Spanish speaking country, with the prior consent of St. Scholastica Spanish faculty.

• Up to one course taught in English may count towards the minor. These courses include LIS/SPN 3303 (The Other America), HIS 3307 (Modern Latin American History), and LIS 3202 (Culture Through Film, Hispanic Films). Other courses in English may count with prior approval from St. Scholastica Spanish faculty.

• LIS 4555 (LIS Internship)may count towards the minor with prior approval from St. Scholastica Spanish faculty.