Spanish B.A.

Spanish is the third most widely spoken language on Earth, spoken by many people: more than 42 million in the U.S., over 203,000 in Minnesota, and as many as 591 million worldwide. With a rich and diverse history, it is also a language essential to the contemporary world in areas such as education, business, health care, international relations, and law. The Spanish discipline offers courses that emphasize the richness and diversity of Latin American, US Latine, and Iberian cultures, and prepares students with a range of linguistic and critical skills applicable to a wide variety of potential careers or further advanced study in a range of fields.

OBJECTIVES:
The Spanish curriculum offers coursework in the cultures, languages, literatures, and films of Latin America, the Latine USA, and Spain. The courses are designed to help students develop critical insight into the philosophies and values of other cultures, proficiency in a second language, and sensitivity toward literature and film that reflect the experiences of the Spanish-speaking world. The curriculum accommodates liberal arts students interested in a cross-cultural perspective, language study, K-12 teaching, working for nonprofit organizations and social services, or preparation for graduate study in Spanish and related fields.

PROGRAM STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Over the course of the Spanish major, students will learn to:
1. understand the main idea and most supporting details of written or listening texts in Spanish
2. express themselves, in speaking and in writing, in the past, present, and future in Spanish
3. interpret cultural artifacts, texts, and films with accuracy, demonstrating knowledge of the target cultures that produced them
4. reflect an awareness of their own cultural biases and articulate the inherent complexities, worldviews, and values of other cultures
5. locate, apply, and cite effective secondary materials in their own work

STUDY ABROAD
In light of today's increasingly interdependent world, the University of Minnesota, Morris Spanish faculty endorses study abroad, in combination with a Spanish major or minor, as the most effective means by which to:
- Improve language abilities
- Broaden academic horizons
- Globalize one's world view
- Expand career opportunities
- Advance cross-cultural and problem-solving skills
- Gain confidence in oneself personally and professionally

ADVISING FOR THE SPANISH MAJOR
It is strongly recommended that students majoring or minoring in Spanish meet with a Spanish faculty member to plan for a timely and successful completion of their program, even if their primary academic advisor is in another discipline.