Student Learning Outcomes for Spanish Majors

Spanish Majors will achieve a level of proficiency in Spanish communication skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and in the understanding of Hispanic cultures sufficient to allow them to function effectively in careers in teaching, business, the media, government, the arts, etc.

These outcomes will be achieved by showing proficiency in the 5 C’s:

1. Communication: The communication standard stresses the use of Spanish for communication in “real life” situations. It emphasizes “what students can do with language” rather than “what they know about language.” Students are asked to communicate in oral and written form, to interpret oral and written messages, to show cultural understanding when they communicate, and to present oral and written information to various audiences for a variety of purposes.
2. Cultures: Cultural understanding is an important part of Spanish language education. Experiencing other cultures develops a better understanding and appreciation of the relationship between languages and other cultures, as well as the student’s native culture. Students become better able to understand other people’s points of view, ways of life, and contributions to the world.
3. Connections: Spanish-language instruction must be connected with other subject areas. Content from other subject areas is integrated with Spanish-language instruction through lessons or courses that are developed around themes common to other subject areas.
4. Comparisons: Students are encouraged to compare and contrast Spanish language and cultures with their own. They discover patterns, make predictions, and analyze similarities and differences across languages and cultures. Students often come to understand their native language and culture better through such comparisons.
5. Communities: Extending learning experiences from the Spanish-language classroom to the home and multilingual and multicultural community emphasizes living in a global society. Activities may include: field trips; use of e-mail and the Internet; participation in clubs, exchange or study-abroad programs, and cultural activities; school-to-work opportunities; and opportunities to hear speakers of Spanish at the University and in the classroom.

Outcomes Assessment Activities

Assessment of the world languages program is the responsibility of the World Languages Program Assessment Committee, consisting of the Program Director for World Languages and three other faculty members. The committee’s annual reports evaluating the program and proposing any needed changes are compiled from the following information:

• A central file of course syllabi with representative assignments is maintained by the department for inspection by the committee and other qualified persons.
• Faculty advisors monitor each student’s progress towards completing major requirements and meeting the program goals listed in the catalog. Advisors report any problems or deficiencies in the program encountered by the students to the program assessment committee through the associate chair.
• All Spanish majors produce a senior assessment portfolio emphasizing professional standards and sharpening the proficiency skills students have acquired in their Spanish courses. Students work in conjunction with an advisor to complete the project and submit it to the Program Assessment Committee for review.
• Oral and written exit exams evaluate proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing as well as understanding of Hispanic culture.
• The Program Assessment Committee reviews the senior portfolios and the results of the exit exam on an annual basis and prepares an analysis of what is revealed about the program’s success.
• The Program Assessment Committee administers a student-satisfaction questionnaire to all senior world languages majors and minors each year. A similar questionnaire is sent to recent graduates on a periodic basis.
• The Program Assessment Committee monitors the world languages curricula at leading comparable institutions and apprises the department of innovations worthy of consideration.

Specific Requirements for the World Language - Spanish Major

In addition to the courses listed below, Spanish majors must also meet the following requirements:

1. A senior assessment portfolio.
2. A minor or a second major.
3. Completion of the oral and written proficiency exams and of the graduating-senior survey.
4. At least one upper-division SPN course must emphasize Latin America, one Spain.

Study abroad is strongly encouraged, especially for students planning to teach.

General Education

The general education requirement for graduation includes a total of 35 semester credits in two categories: Skills Component and Knowledge Component. Please see the General Education Requirement section under Academic Policies for more information.

Planning Sheet

Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.

Note: In addition to requirements for the major and general education, students must complete either:

1. Any minor degree program listed in the catalog other than their major; or
2. 18 credit hours outside of the major.

Students may not use the same credits to satisfy requirements for both major and minor degrees, or use credits taken to satisfy general education requirements.