Spanish, B.A.
The Spanish program at Saint Louis University concentrates on advanced language training, culture and literary studies. Our undergraduate degree prepares students for careers that require proficiency in Spanish or for graduate work in Spanish.
- The Spanish major at Saint Louis University prepares students for careers that require proficiency in Spanish or for graduate work in Spanish.
- SLU's Spanish program offers exciting classes in the Spanish language, Spanish linguistics, Spanish for specific fields as well as Spanish literature, film and culture. Most students study abroad in programs all over Spain (the Madrid campus) and Latin America (Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Mexico and many more).
- Spanish is the second most used language in the United States, spoken at home by more than 50 million people. Spanish is spoken around the world, by more than 460 million speakers on four continents and in 21 countries. It is one of the six official languages of the United Nations and one of the official languages of the European Union.
- Based on the growth of the Hispanic population and the increase of Spanish-speakers worldwide, bilingual English/Spanish ability and cross-cultural understanding are valued assets within all fields but especially so within the business world, health care fields, government, education, cultural as well as international studies, social work and law enforcement. In addition, it is reported the need for foreign language teachers will increase 20 percent over the next 10 years in the US.
Curriculum Overview
The bachelor’s degree in Spanish concentrates on advanced language training as well as cultural and literary studies.
In order to promote cultural awareness concerning Spanish and Hispanic issues, the department regularly organizes extracurricular activities. These activities range from movie nights, cultural talks, social service workshops and dance demonstrations to dinners and parties.
The annual graduate and undergraduate department of languages, literatures, and cultures student symposium attracts more than 100 participants from local and neighboring universities. This intellectual forum provides upper-level Spanish students insight into critical research and life in academia. Spanish majors who choose to write a senior thesis present their work at this event.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
At SLU's Language Lab Center, all students have access to a wide range of multimedia technology designed to enhance the development of language and cultural proficiency. These include live satellite transmissions with news broadcasts; interactive video, film and multimedia; and a variety of computer programs.
The program encourages all students majoring in Spanish to spend one year at the campus in Madrid, Spain. Besides the traditional courses in Spanish language, culture and literature, students at the Madrid campus may select from a wide variety of offerings in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Many courses are taught in English as well. This experience abroad has proven to be an invaluable asset in competing for career opportunities.
Careers
A Spanish major is a valuable asset for a variety of careers, especially when students combine their Spanish studies with a second major. The rapidly evolving political climate and the international marketplace make knowledge of languages and cultures especially desirable. Saint Louis University students have the opportunity to complete an internship that utilizes their knowledge of the Spanish language at one of the many businesses, companies or community outreach facilities
The major in Spanish, complemented by a second major such as international studies, uniquely qualifies students to compete in careers with an international orientation. Graduates may pursue careers in international law, business, economics, government work, foreign service or scientific research.
Admission Requirements
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
- Graduates will be able to interact in Spanish.
- Graduates will be able to interpret authentic materials in Spanish.
- Graduates will be able compare their own culture(s) with culture(s) in which Spanish is a dominant language.
Students take 30 credits in SPAN courses regardless of whether they start at SPAN 3010 Written Communication or later.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| College core requirements | 57-66 | |
| For additional information about core courses | ||
| Spanish Core | ||
| SPAN 3010 | Written Communication | 3 |
| SPAN 3020 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| SPAN 3030 | Fluency in Spanish | 3 |
| SPAN 3040 | Advanced Oral Communication | 3 |
| SPAN 4200 | Introduction to Spanish Literature | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select either six of the following or five of the following plus the senior inquiry research paper: | 15-18 | |
| Advanced Spanish Grammar | ||
| Span Phonetics & Phonology | ||
| Spanish Sociolinguistics | ||
| Language and Linguistics | ||
| Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Business & Prof Spanish | ||
| English-Spanish in Translation | ||
| Short Stories: History, Histories. Deciphering Latin-American Societies and Cultures | ||
| Latin American 'Modernism' | ||
| Contemporary Latin American Poetry | ||
| Early Latin American Novel | ||
| Contemporary Latin American Novel | ||
| Contemporary Latin-Am Drama | ||
| The African Experience in Spanish America | ||
| Latin Am Novel after 1970 | ||
| Latin American Testimony | ||
| Women's Literature in Latin America | ||
| Latin American Film | ||
| Cultural Stereotypes: Latin Am | ||
| Strangers in a Familiar Land: Displacements in Latin America | ||
| Don Quixote | ||
| Spanish Jewry in Spain and in the Diaspora | ||
| 19th Century Spanish Novel | ||
| Narrative of the Spanish Civil War | ||
| Generation of 98 | ||
| 20th Century Spanish Thought | ||
| Contemporary Spanish Short Story | ||
| 20th Century Spanish Poetry | ||
| 20th Century Spanish Novel | ||
| Twentieth Century Spanish Drama | ||
| Peninsular Spanish Poetry 1965-present | ||
| Spanish Novel After 1970 | ||
| Spanish Literature and Film | ||
| Spanish Women Poets | ||
| Spanish Culture & Civilization | ||
| The short story in medieval Spain: fear, education and humor | ||
| Spanish Medieval Masterpieces | ||
| Love in the Middle Ages | ||
| 16th - 17th Century Spanish Prose | ||
| Between Laughter and Tears: Gender Stereotypes in Spanish Comics | ||
| General Electives | 33-21 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Non-Course Requirements
In addition to the 30 credits in course work, all Spanish majors must complete a Senior Inquiry. For the Senior Inquiry, students have the option of conducting a final research project under the supervision of a faculty member, or completing an additional 4000-level course.
Continuation Standards
All courses for the Spanish major must be completed with grade of C or better.
Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Components and Credits | ||
| Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
| Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
| Global Citizenship | 3 | |
| Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Literature | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 6 | |
| Philosophy | 9 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Theology | 9 | |
| World History | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57-66 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
- Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
- Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Introduction to Literature for International Students (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses. In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete Dept/Program specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| SPAN 1010 | Communicating in Spanish I 1 | 3 |
| UNIV 1010 | Univ 101: Enhancing 1st yr Suc | 1 |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in First-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| SPAN 1020 | Communicating in Spanish II | 3 |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| SPAN 2010 | Inter Spanish: Lang & Culture 2 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Second-Year Mentoring Activities | ||
| SPAN 3010 | Written Communication | 3 |
| SPAN 3020 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPAN 3030 | Fluency in Spanish | 3 |
| SPAN 3040 | Advanced Oral Communication | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPAN 4200 | Introduction to Spanish Literature | 3 |
| Spanish Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Spanish Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Spanish Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of Capstone Project and Participation in LLC Student Symposium | ||
| Spanish Elective | 3 | |
| Spanish Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| A&S Core | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
| 1 | Students often begin their studies at SLU with previous experience in Spanish. Entering students take a placement test (SLUPE) to determine their level. See Program Notes. |
| 2 | Students can take SPAN 3020 Oral Communication (0,3 cr) and SPAN 2010 Inter Spanish: Lang & Culture (0,3 cr) concurrently. Students can take SPAN 3020 Oral Communication (0,3 cr) before taking SPAN 3010 Written Communication (0,3 cr). |
| 3 | Spanish 4000-level literature courses fulfill the Core Literature Requirement. |
| 4 | Many Spanish 4000-level courses also fulfill the Global Citizenship Core Diversity requirement. |
Program Notes
The sequence of courses will vary according to the student’s previous experience with the language and individual preferences.
Students have several options to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country, including on our own campus in Madrid, Spain.
SLU Spanish majors generally complete a second or even a third major in another discipline – for example, Biology, International Business, Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Political Science, etc.