2/2/2009
Proposed revisions to BA in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures
Rationale:
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese proposes revisions to the current BA in
Spanish with two primary goals in mind:
•
•
Create a more streamlined program (decreasing the number of tracks and
increasing the number of required courses common to each) that will offer more
consistent outcomes across the student population, and
Increase the focus on the knowledge and interpretation of culture in all courses
and options.
More students are choosing to major in Spanish than ever before (222 current declared
majors). They do so for a variety of reasons, among them:
• To become functionally bilingual and increase their marketability and
performance in the work place;
• To better understand and be able to respond to today’s political realities in the
United States;
• To be able to speak, read, write, and understand Spanish as a way to
communicate with other cultures;
• To continue advanced study of the language, literatures, and cultures of
Spanish-speaking peoples.
We are proposing changes in the Spanish major to better address these goals by providing
contextualized language instruction that leads to advanced language and cultural
competency and by offering courses of study leading to expertise in different kinds of
cultural knowledge: literary, linguistic, and professional.
Current trends in the field of language education (in the case of Spanish, we are tending
less and less to speak in terms of a foreign language and more in terms of a second
language) stress the importance of the cultural aspect of language competency. Nothing is
ever said, written, or done, in any language, without culture coming into play. We want
all our graduates, regardless of their area of specialization, to be mindful of and literate in
the interplay of culture with everything they do with and in the Spanish language. Our
major makes the cultural element in their education explicit. We seek to graduate
students, who according to the MLA 2007 report, Foreign Languages and Higher
Education: New Structures for a Changed World are “educated speakers who have deep
translingual and transcultural competence”(3).
The following specific changes are proposed: (See Table 1 for summary of changes; see
the lists of current major requirements.)
1. Change the name to BA in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures to better
reflect the new emphasis. The current name is BA in Spanish Language and Literature.
2/2/2009
2. Provide three areas of specialization, all built upon a core series of courses that
ground learners in the 4 primary skills of language learning (speaking, reading, writing,
and aural comprehension). The three areas will be entitled: Literature and Culture;
Linguistics and Culture; and Language and Culture in Professional Contexts.
The current BA lists five options: Language and Literature, Foreign Area, Translation,
Business, and Linguistics. Our proposal integrates the translation and business options
into the single Language and Culture in Professional Contexts and deletes the Foreign
Area option, which we have increasingly felt is too general. See the attached documents
for the specific requirements of each option.
3. Standardize the new program at 36 credits for each track (not counting 11 credits
of prerequisites, and the 9 credits of supporting area material), as noted below
Prerequisites for Spanish BA in Language, Literatures, and Cultures: 11 credits, or
equivalent knowledge (Note: Students that receive the grade of B+ and above in Spanish
203 can proceed directly to Spanish 207.)
Spanish 103 Intensive Elementary Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 203 Intensive Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 204 Review of Spanish Grammar (3 credits)
The old program options varied in numbers of credits.
4. Add a course in cultural and textual interpretation for all majors,
Spanish 303: Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World (prerequisite:
Spanish 301). The course familiarizes the student with basic techniques of textual
analysis while further developing oral and writing skills and providing a deeper
understanding of Hispanic culture and thought. In the class, students will learn basic
tools for the systematic analysis of a broad range of themes and forms of cultural
production (literature, drama, cinema, art, e-texts, etc.) in the Hispanic world.
5. Delete Spanish 211 (Intermediate Conversation), Spanish 221 (Introduction to
Literature), and Spanish 311 and 312 (Advanced Conversation I and II) from the major
list in favor of courses that more appropriately prepare our students to meet program
goals. (The courses will be retained in the UG Catalogue for the purpose of study abroad
equivalencies.)
6. Systemize the number of required courses common in each Spanish track to help
us achieve more consistent outcomes.
7. Require one three-course sequence in literature and culture, with an emphasis on
either Spain or Latin America. This replaces former sequences that treated literature
and culture as separate realms of inquiry. The new sequences are listed below:
2/2/2009
•
•
•
Spanish 331 Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature I: Medieval Times
Spanish 332 Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature II: Renaissance and
Baroque
Spanish 333 Spanish Culture, Civilization and Literature III: Modern Times
OR
•
Spanish 361 Latin American Literatures and Cultures I: From Pre-Columbian to
Colonial
• Spanish 362 Latin American Literatures and Cultures II: From Independence to
Nation Formation
• Spanish 363 Latin American Literatures and Cultures III: From Modernism to
Neo-liberalism
(Prerequisites for all of these: Span 301 and 303 or permission of instructor)
See the attached sheets for details.
No new resources will be needed as we will adjust course offerings internally.
Note: At the present time the Department does not use a standardized placement test, but
places students according to their high school grades. We have three courses specifically
designed for heritage speakers (Spanish 206, Review of Oral and Written Spanish for
Native Speakers Educated in the United States; Spanish 306, Spanish II for Native
Speakers; and Spanish 307, Oral Communication Skills for Native Speakers of Spanish).
Placement in courses for heritage learners is determined by speaking with the Spanish
advisor.
Table 1
Summary of New and Old Spanish Major BA in Spanish Language, Literatures,
and Cultures
NEW MAJOR
New Name:
BA in Spanish Language,
Literatures, and Cultures
3 major options:
OLD MAJOR
Old Name:
BA in Spanish
Literature and Culture
Linguistics and Culture
Language and Culture in
Professional Contexts
Foreign Area
Language and Literature
Linguistics
Translation
Business
Number of Credits
All options are 36 credits
Course Added to all
Tracks
Add Spanish 303 (Approaches
to Cultural Materials in the
Hispanic World) to all tracks,
replacing
Spanish 311 or 312 (Advanced
Conversation I, II)
Spanish 211 (intermediate
Conversation) deleted
Spanish 221 (Introduction to
Literature)
deleted
All Spanish tracks have 5
common requirements
Add a three course sequence
in literature and culture
36 or 39 credits depending on
the option
Spanish 311 or 312
(Advanced Conversation I
and II) offered in all tracks.
Spanish 303 did not exist.
Name of BA
Number of Options
Courses Deleted from
Major Lists
Major track common
requirements
Addition of a three
course sequence in
literature and culture
331 (Spanish Culture,
Civilization, and Literature I:
Medieval Times)
332 (Spanish Culture,
Civilization, and Literature II:
Renaissance & Baroque)
and
333 (Spanish Culture,
Civilization, and Literature III:
Modern Times)
5 major options:
Spanish 211 (Intermediate
Conversation) offered
Spanish 221 (Introduction to
Literature)
offered
Tracks had varied
requirements
Two three or four total 300level civilization or survey of
literature courses, depending
on the major option.
OR
Spanish 361 (Latin American
Literatures and Cultures I:
From Pre-Columbian to
Colonial)
Spanish 362 (Latin American
Literatures and Cultures II:
From Independence to Nation
Formation)
Spanish 363 (Latin American
Literatures and Cultures III:
From Modernism to Neoliberalism)
University of Maryland at College Park
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Revised Undergraduate Major Requirements
Effective Spring 1992
Prerequisites: SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202, or equivalent.
Language and Literature
Foreign Area
SPAN 207
3 credits
SPAN 207
3 credits
SPAN 221
3 credits
SPAN 301 and 302
8 credits
SPAN 301 and 302
6 credits
SPAN 311 or 312
3 credits
SPAN 311 or 312
3 credits
SPAN 315 and 415
or
SPAN 316 and 317
SPAN 321 and 322
or
SPAN 323 and 324
6 credits
SPAN 325 and 326
or
SPAN 346 and 347
6 credits
6 credits
SPAN 321 and
322 or
SPAN 323 and 324
6 credits
SPAN 325 and 326
(448 and/or 449 may be substituted)
or
SPAN 346 and 347
6 credits
(448 and/or 449 may be substituted)
Four 400-level courses or pro-seminars in Spanish
literature or Spanish-American literature (One
course may be taken in Luzo-Brazilian literature,
literature i.e., PORT 478).
Three 400-level courses or pro-seminars in
Spanish literature or Spanish-American
(One course may be taken in Luzo-Brazilian
literature, i.e., PORT 478).
39 credits
39 credits
Supporting Courses
Supporting Courses
Nine credits of supporting courses, six of which
must be on the 300- or 400-level in a single area
other than Spanish. Suggested areas:
Art,
Comparative Literature, Government and Politics,
History, Pnilosophy, Portuguese, etc.
Nine credits of supporting courses, six of which
must be on the 300- or 400-level in a single area
other than Spanish. Suggested areas:
Anthropology, Economics, Government and
Politics, History, Sociology, Geography,
Portuguese, etc.
39 credits
39 credits
Total:
48 credits
Total:
48 credits
Native speakers should speak with the advisor for course substitutions.
A grade of "C" or better is required in all major and supporting courses. No course for the major or supporting
area may be taken "P-F." This includes courses transferred from other colleges or universities in the United
States or abroad, unless there is proof that the grade was a "C" or higher.
Prerequisites: SPAN 101, 102, 201, 202, or equivalent.
Business Option
Translation Option
SPAN 207
3 credits
SPAN 207
3 credits
SPAN 301 and 302
6 credits
SPAN 211
3 credits
SPAN 311 or 312
3 credits
SPAN 301 and 302
6 credits
SPAN 316 and 317
6 credits
SPAN 311 or 312
3 credits
Two courses from SPAN 318,
356, 357, 416, 417
SPAN 315 and 415
6 credits
6 credits
SPAN 316 and 317
6 credit s
SPAN 321 and 322
or
SPAN 323 and 324
6 credits
One course from SPAN 325,
326, 346, 347
3 credits
(448 and/or 449 may be substituted)
Two 400-level courses or pro-seminars in Spanish
literature or Spanish-American literature (One
course may be taken in Luzo-Brazilian literature,
area i.e., PORT 478).
39 credits
SPAN 325 and 326
or
SPAN 346 and 347
6 credits
(448 and/or 449 may be substituted)
SPAN 422
3 credits
Supporting Courses
Twelve credits of supporting courses in one
of concentration, six of which must be on the
300or 400-level in a single area other than
Spanish. Suggested areas: Business and
Management, Economics, Government and
Politics, History, and Geography.
Supporting Courses
Nine credits of supporting courses, six of which
must be on the 300- or 400-level in a single area
other than Spanish. Suggested areas: Art,
Comparative Literature, Government and Politics,
History, Philosophy, Portuguese, etc.
Total:
Total:
48 credits
48 credits
Native speakers should speak with the advisor for course substitutions.
A grade of "C" or better is required in all major and supporting courses. No course for the major or supporting
area may be taken "P-F." This includes courses transferred from other colleges or universities in the United
States or abroad, unless there is proof that the grade was a "C" or higher.
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Linguistics option - 39 credits , 9 credits supporting
SPAN 207
SPAN 301 and 302
SPAN 310
SPAN 311
SPAN 321 and 322
or
SPAN 323 and 324
SPAN 325 and 326
or
SPAN 346 AND 347
(448 and/or 449 may be substituted)
SPAN 425 and 426
Two 400-level courses or pro-seminars
in Spanish or Latin American literature.
(One course may be taken in Luzo-Brazilian
literature, i. e. PORT 478).
Supporting Courses
Nine credits of supporting courses, six of which
must be on the 300- or 400-level in a single area
other than Spanish. Suggested areas: Education,
Linguistics, Government and Politics, etc.
WORKSHEET
Reading and Writing in Spanish (207)
Advanced Grammar and Composition I and II (301 and 302)
Phonetics
Advanced Conversation I or II (311 or 312)
Survey of Literature (321 and 322 or 323 and 324)
Civilization (325 and 326 or 346 and 347)
(May combine with 448 and/or 449)
Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics I and II (425 and 426)
Literature(6 credits at 400-level)
Supporting Courses - 9 credits (6 at the 300- or 400-level)
2/2/2009 Changes to BA in Spanish
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Proposed Requirements
BA in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures
Prerequisites: 11 credits, or equivalent knowledge
(Note: Students who receive a grade of B+ or above in Spanish 203 can proceed directly
to Spanish 207. Complete placement policy attached.)
Spanish 103 Intensive Elementary Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 203 Intensive Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 204 Review of Spanish Grammar (3 credits)
The three proposed options share a core sequence of 21 of the total 36 credits.
Literature and
Culture:
Linguistics and Culture
Language and Culture in
Professional Contexts
This option provides
greater expertise in
Spanish or Latin
American literature and
culture (three 400-level
courses minimum).
Students can choose either
2 commercial Spanish
classes OR 2 translation
classes OR two additional
400-level literature classes
This option provides
greater expertise in
Hispanic linguistics (three
upper-level courses).
This option combines the
former business option
courses with two classes
from the former
translation option to
provide a better
understanding of
professional language
contexts.
SPAN 207 Reading and Writing
Prereq: Span 203 with a grade
of B+ or higher or Span 204 or
concurrent Span 204; or
equivalent knowledge
SPAN 301 Adv. Grammar and
Composition I
Prereq: Span 207 or concurrent
207
SPAN 302 Adv. Grammar and
Composition II
Prereq: Span 301
SPAN 303 Approaches to
Cultural Materials in the Hispanic
World
SPAN 207
SPAN 207
SPAN 301
SPAN 301
SPAN 302
SPAN 302
SPAN 303
SPAN 303
2/2/2009 Changes to BA in Spanish
Prereq: Span 207
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 310 Spanish Phonetics
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
SPAN 315 Commercial Span I
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
and
SPAN 415 Commercial Span II
Prereq: Span 315
SPAN 425 Intro Hispanic
Linguistics I
SPAN 316 Practicum in
Translation I
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
Spanish 331 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature I:
Medieval Times
Spanish 332 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature II:
Renaissance and Baroque
Spanish 333 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature III:
Modern Times
Spanish 361 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures I: From
Pre-Columbian to Colonial
Spanish 362 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures II: From
Independence to Nation
Formation
Spanish 363 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures III: From
Modernism to Neo-liberalism
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
Two 400-level courses in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
Or
SPAN 315 Commercial Span I
Prereq: Span 301and Span 303
and
SPAN 415 Commercial Span II
Prereq: Span 315
Or
SPAN 316 Practicum in
Translation I
Prereq: Span301and Span 303
and
SPAN 318 Translation of
Technical Texts
Prereq: Span 316
Three 400-level courses in
Spanish or Latin American
Literature and Culture
2/2/2009 Changes to BA in Spanish
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
and
SPAN 426 Intro Hispanic
Linguistics II
and
SPAN 318 Translation of
Technical Texts
Prereq: Span 316
Prereq: Span 425
Two 400-level courses in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture*
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
*The approved program in
Spanish and Secondary Education
requires 2 upper-level courses in
literature/culture along with the
three linguistics courses this
option provides.
SPAN 422 Cross-cultural
Communication
Prereq: Span 315
or
One 400 -level course in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
Supporting Area: 9 credits in a single area other than Spanish, 6 of which must be at the
300 or 400 level; all on approval of Spanish advisor. Students should discuss their choice
of supporting area with the Spanish advisor early on in their Spanish studies.
Courses for Heritage learners: Heritage learners and students from homes where
Spanish is spoken or who have had in- depth exposure to Spanish take a series of courses
designed to enhance their skills:
Spanish 206 Review of Oral and Written Spanish for Native Speakers Educated in the
United States
Prerequisite: Native or near native knowledge of oral Spanish and no formal education
in Spanish.
Spanish 306 Spanish II for Native Speakers
Prerequisite: Span 206
Spanish 307 Oral Communication Skills for Native Speakers of Spanish
Prerequisite: Native or near native knowledge of oral Spanish and no formal education
in Spanish.
Placement in courses for heritage learners is determined by speaking with the Spanish
advisor.
Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level
should speak with the Undergraduate Advisor for course substitutions.
Study Abroad
All students majoring in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures are encouraged to
study abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment. The program advisor will review all
2/2/2009 Changes to BA in Spanish
proposed course sequences before the study abroad experience and determine
equivalencies after official transcripts have been received by UM (students should expect
to present samples of work done abroad to advisor).
Spanish Placement Policy
Spanish 103
0 years of Spanish
Level 1 or Level 2 with a grade of A or B
Level 3 with a grade of C or below
Native speakers of another romance language or language majors of
another romance language
Spanish 203
Spanish 102 or 103 at the University of Maryland or equivalent at
another university
Level 3 with a grade of A or B
Level 4 with a grade of C or below
Spanish 204
Spanish 203 at the University of Maryland or equivalent course at
another university
Level 4 Spanish or higher with a grade of A or B
Spanish 207
Spanish 203 at the University of Maryland or equivalent course at
another university with a grade of B+ or higher or
Span 204 or concurrent Span 204; or equivalent knowledge
The placement policy is for everyone!
Some exceptions may be made with a four or five year lapse in the
study of Spanish. Please be prepared to present your high school
transcript in order to discuss exceptions.
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
BA in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures
Catalogue Description
The undergraduate major in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures consists
of 36 credits of coursework beyond the intermediate prerequisite level, with an additional
supporting area (nine credits). All students will take a core of four courses and a threecourse literature/culture sequence focused on Spain or Latin America; the remaining
coursework will come from one of three options: Literature and Culture, Linguistics and
Culture, Language and Culture in Professional Contexts.
Prerequisites: 11 credits, or equivalent knowledge
(Note: Students who receive a grade of B+ or above in Spanish 203 can proceed directly
to Spanish 207.)
Spanish 103 Intensive Elementary Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 203 Intensive Intermediate Spanish (4 credits)
Spanish 204 Review of Spanish Grammar (3 credits)
The three options share a core sequence of 21 of the total 36 credits.
Literature and
Culture:
Linguistics and Culture
This option provides
greater expertise in
Spanish or Latin
American literature and
culture (three 400-level
courses minimum).
Students can choose either
2 commercial Spanish
classes OR 2 translation
classes OR two additional
400-level literature
classes.
This option provides
greater expertise in
Hispanic linguistics (three
upper-level courses).
Language and Culture in
Professional Contexts
This option combines
business courses with
translation courses to
provide a better
understanding of
professional language
contexts.
SPAN 207 Reading and Writing
Prereq: Span 203 with a grade
of B+ or higher or Span 204 or
concurrent Span 204; or
equivalent knowledge
SPAN 301 Adv. Grammar and
Composition I
Prereq: Span 207 or concurrent
207
SPAN 302 Adv. Grammar and
Composition II
Prereq: Span 301
SPAN 303 Approaches to
Cultural Materials in the Hispanic
World
Prereq: Span 207
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 207
SPAN 207
SPAN 301
SPAN 301
SPAN 302
SPAN 302
SPAN 303
SPAN 303
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 331, 332, and 333
Or
SPAN 361, 362, and 363
SPAN 310 Spanish Phonetics
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
SPAN 315 Commercial Span I
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
and
SPAN 415 Commercial Span II
Prereq: Span 315
Spanish 331 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature I:
Medieval Times
Spanish 332 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature II:
Renaissance and Baroque
Spanish 333 Spanish Culture,
Civilization and Literature III:
Modern Times
Spanish 361 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures I: From
Pre-Columbian to Colonial
Spanish 362 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures II: From
Independence to Nation
Formation
Spanish 363 Latin American
Literatures and Cultures III: From
Modernism to Neo-liberalism
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
Two 400-level courses in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
Or
SPAN 315 Commercial Span I
Prereq: Span 301and Span 303
and
SPAN 415 Commercial Span II
Prereq: Span 315
Or
SPAN 316 Practicum in
Translation I
Prereq: Span301and Span 303
and
SPAN 318 Translation of
Technical Texts
Prereq: Span 316
Three 400-level courses in
Spanish or Latin American
Literature and Culture
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
SPAN 425 Intro Hispanic
Linguistics I
SPAN 316 Practicum in
Translation I
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
Prereq: Span 301 and 303
and
SPAN 426 Intro Hispanic
Linguistics II
and
SPAN 318 Translation of
Technical Texts
Prereq: Span 316
Prereq: Span 425
Two 400-level courses in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture*
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
*The approved program in
Spanish and Secondary Education
requires 2 upper-level courses in
literature/culture along with the
three linguistics courses this
option provides.
SPAN 422 Cross-cultural
Communication
Prereq: Span 315
or
One 400 -level course in Spanish
or Latin American Literature and
Culture
Prereq: one from 331, 332, 333,
361, 362, 363 literature sequence
above
Supporting Area: Nine credits in a single area other than Spanish, six of which must be
at the 300 or 400 level; all on approval of the Spanish advisor. Students should discuss
their choice of supporting area with the Spanish advisor early on in their Spanish studies.
Courses for Heritage learners: Heritage learners and students from homes where
Spanish is spoken or who have had in-depth exposure to Spanish take a series of courses
designed to enhance their skills:
Spanish 206 Review of Oral and Written Spanish for Native Speakers Educated in the
United States
Prerequisite: Native or near native knowledge of oral Spanish and no formal education
in Spanish.
Spanish 306 Spanish II for Native Speakers
Prerequisite: Span 206
Spanish 307 Oral Communication Skills for Native Speakers of Spanish
Prerequisite: Native or near native knowledge of oral Spanish and no formal education
in Spanish.
Placement in courses for heritage learners is determined by speaking with the Spanish
advisor.
Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level
should speak with the Undergraduate Advisor for course substitutions.
Study Abroad
All students majoring in Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures are encouraged to
study abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment. The program advisor will review all
proposed course sequences before the study abroad experience and determine
equivalencies after official transcripts have been received by UM (students should expect
to present samples of work done abroad to advisor).