Program Overview
The Spanish Language and Culture program at Lewis University equips students with proficiency in Spanish through a comprehensive curriculum covering grammar, literature, culture, and linguistics. The program offers study abroad opportunities and prepares graduates for careers in education, business, government, and other fields where Spanish language skills are essential.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Spanish Language and Culture degree at Lewis University prepares students for careers in education, business, government, and other fields where Spanish language skills are in high demand. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes coursework in grammar, composition, conversation, literature, culture, and linguistics. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country to gain real-world experience.
Objectives:
- To develop students' proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
- To introduce students to the rich culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world.
- To prepare students for careers in a variety of fields where Spanish language skills are needed.
Program Description:
The Spanish Language and Culture program at Lewis University is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the Spanish language and culture. The program offers a variety of courses that cover a wide range of topics, including grammar, composition, conversation, literature, culture, and linguistics. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country to gain real-world experience. The program is open to all students, regardless of their prior experience with Spanish. Students who have no prior experience will need to take two introductory Spanish courses before beginning the major. Students who have some prior experience may be able to place out of one or both of these courses. The Spanish Language and Culture program is housed in the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communications. The program is chaired by Dr. Maria Hernandez, who is a native speaker of Spanish and has extensive experience teaching Spanish as a second language.
Outline:
Curriculum:
The Spanish Language and Culture program at Lewis University consists of 30 credit hours of coursework, including 18 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of elective courses.
Core Courses:
- First-Year Spanish 1 and 2
- Intermediate Spanish 1 and 2
- Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition
- Introduction to Hispanic Literature
- Introduction to Hispanic Culture
- Spanish Linguistics
- Spanish Conversation and Pronunciation
Elective Courses:
Students can choose from a variety of elective courses to tailor their program to their interests. Some of the elective courses offered include:
- Spanish for Business
- Spanish for Law Enforcement
- Spanish for Healthcare Professionals
- Spanish for Education
- Spanish Literature
- Spanish Culture
- Latin American Studies
- Study Abroad in a Spanish-Speaking Country
Course Schedule:
The Spanish Language and Culture program offers courses at all levels, from introductory to advanced. Courses are offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students can take courses full-time or part-time.
Individual Modules:
Each course in the Spanish Language and Culture program is designed to help students develop their proficiency in a particular area of Spanish. For example, the First-Year Spanish courses focus on developing students' basic grammar and vocabulary skills, while the Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition course focuses on helping students develop their writing and editing skills.
Module Descriptions:
- First-Year Spanish 1 and 2: These courses introduce students to the basics of Spanish grammar and vocabulary.
- Intermediate Spanish 1 and 2: These courses build on the foundation laid in First-Year Spanish and introduce students to more complex grammar concepts.
- Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition: This course helps students develop their writing and editing skills in Spanish.
- Introduction to Hispanic Literature: This course introduces students to the major works of Spanish and Latin American literature.
- Introduction to Hispanic Culture: This course provides students with an overview of the history and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
- Spanish Linguistics: This course introduces students to the structure of the Spanish language.
- Spanish Conversation and Pronunciation: This course helps students improve their spoken Spanish skills.
Assessment:
The Spanish Language and Culture program at Lewis University uses a variety of methods to assess student learning. These methods include:
- Quizzes: Quizzes are given throughout the semester to assess students' understanding of the material covered in class.
- Papers: Students are required to write several papers throughout the program, which allows them to demonstrate their ability to write in Spanish.
- Presentations: Students are required to give several presentations throughout the program, which allows them to demonstrate their ability to speak in Spanish. All of the faculty members are native speakers of Spanish and have extensive experience teaching Spanish as a second language. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Discussion: Discussions are used to help students deepen their understanding of the material covered in class.
- Group work: Group work is used to help students develop their teamwork skills and to apply the concepts they are learning in class.
- Technology: The program uses a variety of technology tools to enhance student learning, such as online learning platforms and language learning software.
Careers:
The Spanish Language and Culture program at Lewis University prepares students for a variety of careers in the following fields:
- Education
- Business
- Government
- Healthcare
- Law Enforcement
- Social Work
- Non-profit organizations Graduates of the program have gone on to work as teachers, translators, interpreters, business professionals, government officials, and more.
Other:
- The Spanish Language and Culture program offers a study abroad program in Spain, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Argentina.
- The program is accredited by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).
- The program is supported by the Lewis University Center for Global Engagement.