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Modern Languages 

Can I major in Spanish? 

The answer is: yes!  Students interested in making Spanish their chosen subject of study, can incorporate it within an Interdisciplinary Studies major with a concentration in  Spanish.  Because Interdisciplinary Studies majors choose two concentrations, disciplines may be combined with a Teaching Certification program.

The requirements are 6 credits of lower division courses and 9 credits of upper division courses.  Interdisciplinary Studies majors also take a minimum of four IDST courses. 

Study abroad is highly recommended for students who wish to undertake this type of program.

Can I minor in Spanish? 

The minor in Spanish benefits students who are able to combine it with a major discipline or incorporate it into an interdisciplinary program.  The Spanish minor is very useful to those who aspire to careers in which the ability to deal with people of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds is recognized as an invaluable asset.  Students considering majoring in education, sociology, and political science will benefit from choosing a minor in Spanish.  Those certified to teach in one area of expertise such as English or History could profitably become certified in an additional field by completing a Spanish minor.

Requirements: In order to graduate with a minor in Spanish from MCLA, students will take the following courses:

  1. Spanish 101 and 102 (Beginner Spanish 1 and 2)*
  2. Spanish 201 and 202 (Intermediate Spanish 1 and 2)
  3. Spanish 300 (Spanish Conversation)
  4. Spanish 301 (Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition)
  5. Any two 300-level or above Spanish electives.

* Students with prior experience in Spanish may take the optional language placement tests and be waived from Spanish 101-102.

Departmental offerings include:

  • Spanish 300 (Conversation and Composition);
  • Spanish 301 (Advanced Grammar and Composition);
  • Spanish 310 (Hispanic Civilization);
  • Spanish 370 (Hispanic Literature in Context);
  • Spanish 390 (Special Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film);
  • Modern Language 495 (Teaching Assistant in Modern Language), which is open to students who wish to pursue a teaching career and/or who wish to help in the teaching of Spanish, French and Italian;
  • Modern Language 500 (Directed Independent Study), which is open to those who wish to explore a topic in depth.
For further information, contact via e-mail Professor Graziana Ramsden or call 413 662 5399.

 

Why Spanish? 

If you speak Spanish, you can communicate with more than 350 million people worldwide. That means that, in terms of employment opportunities, you will have a clear advantage over those who only speak English.  Also, if you plan to travel to a Spanish-speaking country, a little Spanish goes a long way!

Think about it...

After English, Spanish is the language most U.S. residents speak;

One out of 10 U.S. residents speaks Spanish;

The U.S. has the fifth largest population of Spanish speakers in the world;

Spanish is spoken in 21 countries world-wide.