2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Requirements for a Major in Spanish
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Spanish
Requirements for a Spanish Secondary Education Major
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Spanish Secondary Education Major

For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.

Requirements for a Major in Spanish

Students majoring in Spanish are required to complete a minimum of 33 credits in this subject beyond the 200-level, including SPA 321, SPA 322, one civilization and culture course (from SPA 310, SPA 311, SPA 312 or SPA 313), one Survey of Literature course (either SPA 331 OR SPA 332), SPA 330, one 400-level literature course, and SPA 495 (Capstone). All students are urged to declare the major at the beginning of their sophomore year and to take courses beyond the minimum number, particularly those in civilization and culture and literature. Students should also seriously contemplate taking advantage of the various semester and year-long study abroad opportunities, and they are encouraged to consider a minor that will complement the major such as Latin American studies, business, or another language.

Credits for SPA 101, SPA 102, SPA 150, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, or SPA 204 will not be counted toward the major or minor.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Spanish

To complete the program in four years, work toward the major should begin in a student's second year. The suggested distribution of courses follows.

Year Two

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Year Three

Semester One:

Semester Two:

Year Four

Semester One:

One 400-level literature courses
AND one from the following:
SPA 303 - Professional Writing (3 credits)
A second culture and civilization course
A second survey of literature course
A second 400-level literature course

Semester Two:

SPA 495 - Cross-national Literary Movements (Capstone) (3 credits)

Note: Majors may also take any of the Spanish for the professions courses as electives at any time. Classes are conducted primarily in Spanish.

Requirements for a Spanish Secondary Education Major

Students choosing Spanish as a teachable major must complete a total of 36 credits in Spanish beyond the 200-level, including SPA 321, SPA 322, SPA 309, two civilization and culture courses (from SPA 310, SPA 311, SPA 312, SPA 313), SPA 314, one Survey of Literature course (either SPA 331 or SPA 332), SPA 330, SPA 335, one 400-level literature course, and SPA 495 (Capstone). In addition, students with a Spanish secondary education major must study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country for a minimum of one semester (12-15 credits in Spanish at the 300-level) in a departmentally approved program. Courses taken during the study abroad semester may fulfill some of the courses required for the major. The semester abroad should take place after students have completed SPA 322. Students who cannot meet this requirement will need to complete an alternative plan approved by the Spanish section's study abroad committee. Students interested in pursuing a teaching degree in Spanish are urged to meet with a Spanish advisor as early as possible in their program.

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation that teacher candidates achieve the Advanced-Low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Spanish before student teaching. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided regularly, but students should work closely with their advisor in Spanish. Students planning to teach Spanish are strongly encouraged to fulfill the study abroad requirement before attempting the OPI.

Credits for SPA 101, SPA 102, SPA 150, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, or SPA 204 will not be counted toward the major or minor.