Selected Educational Outcomes
- To demonstrate the ability to listen and to read in Spanish at the advanced level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- To demonstrate the ability to speak and to write in Spanish at the advanced-low level of proficiency, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines.
- To demonstrate knowledge of cultural universals and trends as well as specific similarities and differences between Hispanic and American cultures, including both non-verbal and verbal aspects.
- To demonstrate knowledge of major historical events and their role in the development of the Hispanic cultures as well as knowledge of the major literary and artistic works of those cultures.
- To demonstrate the ability to use technology for research purposes and as a means of communication with the various areas of the Spanish-speaking world.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages evaluates the level of linguistic proficiency and cultural knowledge achieved by the students in the Bachelor of Arts program in Spanish by using a variety of assessment measures. The results of the assessment activities are used for continued curriculum development and revision. Among the methods used to determine the effectiveness of the program are the following:
- An examination to assess the level of listening, reading, and writing proficiency. The examination is administered in SPAN 3000 and SPAN 4990.
- ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interviews administered to assess the level of speaking. These Oral Proficiency Interviews are administered in SPAN 3000 and SPAN 4990.
- An examination covering appropriate topics to assess the student’s knowledge of content material related to Hispanic culture, linguistics, and literature. The examination is administered in SPAN 3000 and SPAN 4990.
- Evaluation of student performance during SPAN 4980, including an assessment of linguistic proficiency and interpreting and translating skills adequate to the practicum assignment, completed by the supervisor in the field.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Spanish
Language and Culture Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | 18 | |
| SPAN 1001 | Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I | 0-3 |
| SPAN 1002 | Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II | 0-3 |
| SPAN 2001 | Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I | 0-3 |
| SPAN 2002 | Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II | 0-3 |
| Foreign Language and Culture (2nd Foreign Language) | 0-12 | |
| Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | 0-6 | |
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Spanish | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3010 & SPAN 3150 & SPAN 3160 | Culture, Conversation and Composition and Civilization and Culture of Spain and Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 9 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 3300 | Introduction to Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| Electives: 3000/4000-level courses | 6 | |
| SPAN 4980 | Community Practicum (taken twice) | 2 |
| SPAN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| 2nd Foreign Language & Culture (may be taken in Areas C & F) | 0-12 | |
| Electives | 7-19 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Spanish
World Languages and Cultures Track
The World Languages and Cultures in Spanish offers students the opportunity to combine two or more world languages in a program of study that will impart the basic knowledge necessary to participate in international and intercultural settings. The track emphasizes knowledge of modern foreign cultures and enables students to focus on one modern language while achieving speaking facility in one or two others. These tracks are foundational to advanced studies in humanities disciplines such as modern languages, history, art history, philosophy, or political science. When combined with business courses, these degrees can open up international professional opportunities.
Majors in World Languages and Cultures may find employment in business, government, education, media, travel and social services, depending upon their skills and experiences. Majors can seek out employment opportunities in which language skills are required in the work place. Such positions include translating, interpreting, and teaching foreign languages within a corporate context. World Languages and Cultures majors also pursue careers in social services capacities.
Additionally, completion of the Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) as part of this degree will prepare majors to teach English to speakers of other languages throughout the world. Internships and practicum placements and study abroad are highly recommended as study components in these tracks.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| SPAN 1001 & SPAN 1002 | Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, I and Beginning Spanish Language and Introduction to Hispanic Cultures, II | 0-6 |
| SPAN 2001 & SPAN 2002 | Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures I and Intermediate Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures II | 0-6 |
| Electives from Area C and Area E Courses | 0-18 | |
| Second Foreign Language at the 1001-2002 levels | 0-12 | |
| Electives from Area C and Area E courses | 0-6 | |
| Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses taken in Area F. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Upper-Level Courses in Spanish | ||
| SPAN 3000 & SPAN 3010 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation and Culture, Conversation and Composition | 6 |
| SPAN 3150 & SPAN 3160 | Civilization and Culture of Spain and Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 6 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3000- or 4000-level courses | 6 | |
| ESOL 4010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| Related Electives | 27 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
A second or third foreign language may be taken in the major as needed under the Related Electives.
Suggested Elective Sequences: Minor in French or German, Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Certificate in Spanish for Professionals.
A minimum of 39 hours must be taken at the 3000/4000 level.
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Tracks
In the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or Foreign Language Education (FLED), students will complete 9 hours of graduate courses that will count toward the completion of the B.A. in Spanish in either the Language and Culture Track or the World Languages and Cultures Track. These 9 hours may then be applied toward the completion of the degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Education -- ESOL or FLED at Valdosta State University upon graduate admission.
To be admitted to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED, students must:
- Have completed at least 60 credit hours;
- Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher; and
- Submit the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED application to the Undergraduate French Advisor.
Once admitted, a specific course of study will be developed with the student’s advisor. Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate will count toward the 120-hour graduation requirement but will not count toward the student’s undergraduate GPA or the calculation of academic honors.
Upon acceptance into the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students who do not maintain good standing or who do not wish to continue with the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED may revert to their original track to complete the remaining requirements for the B.A. in Spanish, either the Language and Culture Track or the World Languages and Cultures Track.
Students interested in continuing their graduate education may apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Education -- ESOL or FLED program in their senior year or upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED will not be required to take additional admission tests but must meet all other graduate admission requirements. Students who have completed the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL or FLED will complete an additional 27 hours of graduate classes to meet the degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Education -- ESOL or FLED of 36 hours. Upon application to the Graduate School, students who have made a “C” or less in any of their graduate courses taken as undergraduates will be subject to the Master of Arts in Teaching in Education -- ESOL or FLED Special Retention Policy.
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL for the
Spanish Language and Culture Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior College Curriculum | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3010 | Culture, Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3150 | Civilization and Culture of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3160 | Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 3300 | Introduction to Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 4980 | Community Practicum ((taken twice)) | 2 |
| SPAN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SPAN 3000- or 4000-level courses | 6 | |
| ESOL 6010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| ESOL 6020 and above | 6 | |
| General Electives | 1-13 | |
| Total hours | 60 | |
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in FLED for the
Spanish Language and Culture Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior College Curriculum | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3010 | Culture, Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3150 | Civilization and Culture of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3160 | Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 3300 | Introduction to Spanish Phonetics and Phonology | 3 |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 4980 | Community Practicum ((taken twice)) | 2 |
| SPAN 4990 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SPAN 3000- or 4000-level course | 3 | |
| SPEC 3000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| SPAN course 5000-level or higher | 3 | |
| ESOL 6010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| ESOL 6020 | Cultural Perspectives for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| or ESOL 6030 | Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL | |
| General Electives | 1-13 | |
| Total hours | 60 | |
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in ESOL for the
Spanish World Languages and Cultures Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior College Curriculum | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3010 | Culture, Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3150 | Civilization and Culture of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3160 | Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN courses 3000 level or higher | 6 | |
| SPEC 3000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| ESOL 6010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| ESOL 6020 and above | 6 | |
| General Electives | 18 | |
| Total hours | 60 | |
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in FLED for the
Spanish World Languages and Cultures Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior College Curriculum | ||
| SPAN 3000 | Intermediate Grammar and Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN 3010 | Culture, Conversation and Composition | 3 |
| SPAN 3150 | Civilization and Culture of Spain | 3 |
| SPAN 3160 | Civilization and Culture of Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 3200 | Introduction to Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| SPAN 3250 | Survey of Peninsular Literature | 3 |
| or SPAN 3260 | Survey of Latin American Literature | |
| SPAN 4010 | Advanced Grammar | 3 |
| SPAN 4020 | Advanced Conversation | 3 |
| SPAN course 3000 level or above | 3 | |
| SPAN course 5000 level or above | 3 | |
| SPEC 3000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| ESOL 6010 | Applied Linguistics for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| ESOL 6020 | Cultural Perspectives for ESOL Teachers | 3 |
| or ESOL 6030 | Methods and Materials for Teaching ESOL | |
| General Electives | 21 | |
| Total hours | 60 | |
