The Major: Spanish majors are required to have a GPA of at least 2.00 in Spanish at graduation. Only Spanish courses taken at Allegheny on a letter grade basis and only the most recent grade for repeated courses are included in the calculations. Only Spanish 600 may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis. Courses taken in an approved program abroad may count for the major and minor.
The major in Spanish requires completion of a minimum of 42 semester credit hours. Students must take Spanish 305 and 315, either Spanish 325 or 335, Spanish 355 or 365, at least one Spanish 400-level course, Spanish 580, and Spanish 600 and 610. In order to offer a well-balanced program, the Spanish major emphasizes three basic areas: language skills, literature, and civilization and culture. Some of the required courses for the major may be earned through participation in an approved program of study overseas. Double majors who choose the language as the second major may complete only 40 semester credit hours.
The Minor: A minor in Spanish requires completion of 20 semester credit hours in Spanish, including at least eight credit hours on the 300-level. See also the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Minor listed in the “Special Minors” section.
Study Abroad: Students who major or minor in Spanish are encouraged to participate in the Cross-Cultural Study program in Seville, Spain or the exchange program in Querétaro, Mexico. Both programs offer courses in Spanish language, civilization and culture, literature, art history, politics and economics.
110 Beginning Spanish I
A course stressing the spoken language, basic structural patterns, reading
for comprehension, and introduction to Spanish culture. Three class meetings;
one oral practice period a week.
120 Beginning Spanish II
A course stressing the spoken language, basic structural patterns, reading
for comprehension, and introduction to Spanish culture. Three class meetings;
one oral practice period a week. Prerequisite: Spanish 110 or appropriate
score on placement test.
215 Intermediate Spanish
Review of grammar and reading of selected texts, with continued emphasis
on oral practice and structural patterns. Three class meetings; two oral
practice periods a week. Prerequisite: Spanish 120 or appropriate score
on placement test.
225 Hispanic Readings and Composition
Reading and discussion of selected texts by modern Spanish or Spanish
American authors. Students develop reading, writing and speaking skills
in preparation for upper level literature and culture courses with an
introduction to literary analysis and continued emphasis on writing. Prerequisite:
Spanish 215 or permission of the instructor.
305 Conversation and Composition
Intensive discussion and writing on a variety of topical subjects in
conjunction with readings of literary texts or periodicals. Includes exercises
in phonetics. Designed to provide greater breadth and fluency in spoken
and written Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 225.
315 Advanced Grammar and Composition
A study of the structure of the Spanish language including advanced grammar,
as well as some review. Special attention is given to development of writing
skills. Prerequisite: Spanish 225.
325 Civilization and Culture of Spain
Readings and discussions concerning principal currents of Spanish civilization
and culture across the centuries. Recommended prior to study abroad in
Spain. Prerequisite: Spanish 225.
335 Spanish American Civilization I
A study of the historical evolution of Spanish America from pre-Columbian
times to 1810, providing both a political and a cultural perspective.
Recommended prior to study in Latin America. Prerequisite: Spanish 225.
345 Spanish American Civilization II
A study of the historical evolution of Spanish America from 1810 to the
present, providing both a political and cultural perspective. Recommended
prior to study in Latin America. Prerequisite: Spanish 225.
355 Special Topics in Spanish Peninsular Culture
An examination of Spanish literary and cultural texts to enrich cultural
knowledge, increase vocabulary, and reinforce grammatical and communicative
structures, with an emphasis on the craft of cultural commentary. Prerequisite:
Spanish 305 or Spanish 315.
365 Special Topics in Latin American Culture
An examination of Latin American literary and cultural texts to enrich
cultural knowledge, increase vocabulary, and reinforce grammatical and
communicative structures with an emphasis on the craft of cultural commentary.
Prerequisite: Spanish 305 or Spanish 315.
375 Latin American Short Story
An introduction to the most important Latin American short story writers
in this century, such as Quiroga, Bosch, Borges, Cortazar and Rulfo. Prerequisite:
Spanish 305.
385 Hispanic Cinema
A study of significant filmmakers, national cinematographies, periods
and/or themes in Hispanic cinema. Topics vary according to instructor.
Prerequiste: Spanish 305 or permission of instructor.
415 Golden Age Literature
An introduction to the literary, cultural, political, and historical
context that produced Spain's Golden Age. Special emphasis is given to
Cervantes' Don Quixote and to the works of Lope de Vega, Calderón
de la Barca, and other important dramatists. The Baroque poetry of Luis
de Góngora and Francisco de Quevedo as well as the work of María
de Zayas are also studied. Prerequisite: One 300-level Spanish literature
course.
425 Latin American Women Writers
Introduces students to the work of major Latin American women writers
though a variety of feminist approaches to interpretation. Readings and
discussions include work from the colonial period to the present. Prerequisite:
Spanish 365.
465 19th- and 20th-Century Spanish Literature
A critical introduction to the most outstanding authors and currents
from the Generation of 1898 to the poets of the Generation of 1927 and
to the postwar flourishing of the novel. Special emphasis is given to
the present movement and to the important contribution of non-Castilian
literatures (Basque, Catalan and Galician) to Spain's cultural production.
Prerequisite: One 300-level Spanish literature course.
480 20th-Century Spanish American Literature
Intensive study of modern Spanish American literature from the Modernist
movement to the present. Selected readings and discussion. Prerequisite:
One 300-level Spanish literature course.
490 Spanish Film, Script to Screen
A close interpretation of several screenplays and Spanish films, with
a focus on Luis Buñuel, Victor Erice, Pedro Almodovar, and Fernando
Leon de Aranoa, as well as a series of short films created by members
of the most recent group of young filmmakers in Spain. Projects include
essays and the shooting of at least one short film with digital cameras.
Prerequisite: One 300-level Spanish literature or culture course.
580 Junior/Senior Seminar
A study of significant authors or themes in Hispanic literature or culture.
This course ia a seminar that involves readings and discussion and a final
research project. Course topic varies from year to year. Annually, the
course will include material that instructs students in the preparation
of an independent research paper in Spanish. Prerequisite: One 300-level
Spanish literature course.
590 Independent Study
600 Senior Project I
Preparation of a Senior Project proposal. A thesis statement, a short
description of the project, and a bibliography have to be developed. Taken
on a Credit/No Credit basis only. Credit: Two semester hours.
610 Senior Project II
Completion and oral defense of the Senior Project. Prerequisite: Spanish
600.
FS SPA 201 Spanish for Majors and Minors
Designed for students interested in completing a major or minor in Spanish.
Emphasis is placed on developing the writing and speaking skills necessary
for the student's successful participation in upper level courses. Special
attention is paid to providing the tools for the critical analysis and
study of Peninsular and Latin American literature, culture and civilization.
Special attention will also be paid to the student's specific needs, according
to their field of study. Prerequisite: Spanish 215.
