Spanish Studies B.A.
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DCLA)
49UGR Col of Arts, Hum & Soc Sci 202 - Bachelor of Arts
Program description
Spanish Studies consists of two different sub-plans: Language and Culture Studies or Latin America.
The Language and Culture Studies sub-plan fosters the development of cross-cultural competency and broader world perspectives through the study of history, cultural production, and texts of inherently diverse Spanish-speaking communities and cultures. This major guides students to the acquisition of the Spanish language in order to carry out coursework in the study, analysis, and understanding of literary texts and cultural products from Latin America, Spain, and United States Latino communities. Students in this sub-plan gain proficiency in the Spanish language and essential skills, like critical analysis, empathy, and cultural awareness. Because this major requires a second field of study, this sub-plan prepares students for a wide variety of careers, graduate programs, and professional school programs. Graduates might go on to work in the STEM fields; for non-profit organizations, for the government, or in education; companies with international ties and who value bilingualism and inclusivity; among many other career possibilities.
Students interested in intensifying their study of Latin America are advised to consider the Latin America sub-plan. Students will apply their linguistic and interdisciplinary skills to a wide variety of local, regional, national, or international career choices. This sub-plan requires a study abroad or internship requirement, a requirement that gives students credit for an immersion in a Spanish-speaking community abroad or in a United States Latino community. If they choose a study abroad experience, students will cultivate the ability to articulate a keen understanding of the role of race, class, gender, sustainability, and human rights as they pertain to Spanish-speaking North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. If they select an internship, students will put their Spanish language skills to use and acquire direct experience in a local, state, or private entity.
Honors requirements: Departmental honors will be awarded to students according to the following process: Students who achieve a 3.30 GPA in upper-division language courses at UMD will be invited by program faculty to submit a portfolio of excellent work completed in Spanish past the language sequence and/or in the department's SPAN 2540 and SPAN 2550 for consideration by faculty in the program. The faculty then will decide if honors will be awarded, based on that portfolio.
The Language and Culture Studies sub-plan fosters the development of cross-cultural competency and broader world perspectives through the study of history, cultural production, and texts of inherently diverse Spanish-speaking communities and cultures. This major guides students to the acquisition of the Spanish language in order to carry out coursework in the study, analysis, and understanding of literary texts and cultural products from Latin America, Spain, and United States Latino communities. Students in this sub-plan gain proficiency in the Spanish language and essential skills, like critical analysis, empathy, and cultural awareness. Because this major requires a second field of study, this sub-plan prepares students for a wide variety of careers, graduate programs, and professional school programs. Graduates might go on to work in the STEM fields; for non-profit organizations, for the government, or in education; companies with international ties and who value bilingualism and inclusivity; among many other career possibilities.
Students interested in intensifying their study of Latin America are advised to consider the Latin America sub-plan. Students will apply their linguistic and interdisciplinary skills to a wide variety of local, regional, national, or international career choices. This sub-plan requires a study abroad or internship requirement, a requirement that gives students credit for an immersion in a Spanish-speaking community abroad or in a United States Latino community. If they choose a study abroad experience, students will cultivate the ability to articulate a keen understanding of the role of race, class, gender, sustainability, and human rights as they pertain to Spanish-speaking North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. If they select an internship, students will put their Spanish language skills to use and acquire direct experience in a local, state, or private entity.
Honors requirements: Departmental honors will be awarded to students according to the following process: Students who achieve a 3.30 GPA in upper-division language courses at UMD will be invited by program faculty to submit a portfolio of excellent work completed in Spanish past the language sequence and/or in the department's SPAN 2540 and SPAN 2550 for consideration by faculty in the program. The faculty then will decide if honors will be awarded, based on that portfolio.