The Spanish major is designed to provide students with a working proficiency in practical communicative skills in Spanish and familiarity with the cultures in which it is spoken. Spanish has become the second language of the United States. More than 20 million of the country’s residents speak it in their everyday lives (making it the fifth largest Spanish-speaking country in the world). Spanish is also spoken in twenty-one countries of Latin America, Spain, and some parts of Africa.

The Spanish major progresses from courses in basic language skills through intermediate and advanced courses in conversation, grammar, composition and linguistics to the study of the masterpieces of Spanish and Spanish American literature, representative Hispanic films and the historical and contemporary civilizations of Spain and Latin America. Applied Spanish courses in business Spanish and specialized Spanish vocabulary for various professions are also offered.

Approximately one-third of the Spanish faculty are native speakers from Spain and several Latin American countries, while the remaining faculty all have spent extensive periods of time in study, teaching or research in various Spanish-speaking countries. Their varied backgrounds include specializations in periods and genres of Latin American or peninsular (Spain) Spanish literature, Spanish for the professions, linguistics and foreign language pedagogy.

Career Opportunities
A major in Spanish helps students prepare for a wide variety of careers in education, politics, foreign service, the helping professions, travel and tourism, and communication.

Advisement
The Department of Languages, Literature, and Cultures is committed to quality advising. Each student who declares a major in Spanish is assigned a faculty adviser who makes certain that academic programs are completed in a timely manner. Advisers also discuss career options with students to assist them in making informed decisions. Although advisers must sign advisement forms, it is the responsibility of students to keep track of their courses and to make sure that their programs satisfy departmental and College graduation requirements.

South Carolina Honors College
Students who qualify for participation in the South Carolina Honors College program may choose to pursue a major in Spanish. Our curriculum allows students to take full advantage of academic opportunities in both the Honors College and the College of l Arts and Sciences. Some departmental faculty regularly teach honors courses.

The Curriculum
During the first two years, Spanish majors typically concentrate on taking general education courses and beginning and/or intermediate Spanish courses. Only courses numbered 300 and above (except SPAN 315) count toward the major, and it is normally in the junior and senior years that students take advanced 300-400-500 courses that lead to the major. 500 level courses should be taken only by strong students who have completed several 400 level courses.

Courses required for the 27-33 hour major include:

•SPAN 309 Advanced Spanish Language I
•SPAN 310 Advanced Spanish Language II
•SPAN 312 Introduction To Literature
•SPAN 400 or 500 Peninsular Culture courses
•SPAN 401 or 501 Spanish American Culture courses
•SPAN 404 or 405 or other literature course

Typically 401 and 405 are offered fall semester, 400 and 404 in the spring.

Major Electives include courses in conversation, Spanish for Business and other professions, study abroad, and other literature, film, culture and special topics courses:

SPAN 300 Cultural Readings for Conversation
SPAN 305 Working with Hispanic Clients
SPAN 307 Advanced Oral Practice (1 credit)
SPAN 316 Business Spanish
SPAN 317 Phonetics and Pronunciation
SPAN 350 Spanish Language Study Abroad*
SPAN 375 Topics in Hispanic Culture and Literatures
SPAN 380 Hispanic Film and Culture
SPAN 398 Selected Topics (Taught in English)
SPAN 409 Introduction to Stylistics in Spanish
SPAN 417 Adv. Spanish for Business and the Professions
SPAN 499 Senior Seminar

Majors are strongly encouraged to enroll in a study abroad program.

Summer USC courses are provided in a Spanish-speaking country. Year long programs can be arranged.

Students who come with advanced training in Spanish and enter quickly into 300 level courses may elect to follow the 33-credit “intensive” track in Spanish which may include advanced courses such as SPAN 409 Introduction to Stylistics, and SPAN 416 Professional & Technical Writing in Spanish and additional 500-level courses together with the required senior seminar course, SPAN 499. Students wishing a career in teaching may enter the five year certification sequence which awards the B.A. degree in Spanish and an interdisciplinary M.T. (Master’s in Teaching) degree upon completion.

General Education Requirements

Same as College

Other Major Prerequisites

SPAN through the 210/211-level or exemption through the Placement Test

Major Requirements
General Major in Spanish
•27 hours at the 300-level, excluding SPAN 315
•SPAN 309, 310, 312, 400 or 500, 401 or 501, 404 or 405 or other literature course (18 hrs.)
•Electives chosen from SPAN 300 305, 307, 310, 316, 317, 350, 375, 398, 409, 416, 499, any 500-level (9 hrs)

Intensive Major in Spanish:
Thirty hours of courses numbered 300 level and above plus SPAN 499; attainment of an Advanced rating on an oral proficiency interview conducted by a departmentally approved tester (33 hours)

(Note: Intensive majors must earn a B or better in major courses)