Spanish Program

Your Program

Would you like to master the primary language of 330 million people across the world? Participate in a January Term study program in Mexico? Gain a deeper understanding of the cultural diversity of Hispanic peoples abroad and in the United States?

Consider a major or minor in Spanish at Salem College. Spanish is the official language in 21 countries, an official language of the United Nations and is used worldwide on the Internet. Learning Spanish allows you to communicate with a half-billion people throughout the world. The Spanish language plays a major role in the arts, architecture, literature and business of the world, and knowing it will allow you to learn more about its influence worldwide.

As our society becomes more global, the ability to communicate in other languages and to understand other cultures is vital to your future success in nearly any profession. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 27 million Hispanics currently reside in the United States, making up nearly 10 percent of the population. The Census Bureau predicts that almost half of the U.S. population could be Spanish-speaking by the year 2050. In the job market, bilingual employees increasingly will have an advantage over other candidates, especially in the service sector, according to the Census Bureau.

Your Faculty

In your language courses, great care is taken to integrate technology into the classroom, and classes are small, personal and led by full-fledged faculty members, not teaching assistants. These same professors will help you find internships, craft research projects, even travel abroad to widen your experience with Spanish language and culture.

Your Experience

When you study Spanish as a major or minor at Salem, you will learn to converse effectively and comfortably with native speakers in a program that focuses on language proficiency. In addition, you will increase your cultural awareness of the diversity of Hispanic peoples in the United States and abroad.

Your Results

As our society becomes more global, the ability to communicate in other languages and to understand other cultures is vital to your future success in nearly any profession. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 27 million Hispanics currently reside in the United States, making up nearly 10 percent of the population. The Census Bureau predicts that almost half of the U.S. population could be Spanish-speaking by the year 2050. In the job market, bilingual employees increasingly will have an advantage over other candidates, especially in the service sector, according to the Census Bureau.

As a graduate, you can:

• Work in any sector of industry where verbal and written skills are critical
• Work in private, nonprofit, or governmental organizations that service Spanish-speaking communities
• Work in the health, travel and communications industries where second language proficiency is a valuable asset
• Pursue advanced graduate study in literature, translation, or film studies
• Join the Peace Corps
• Attend law school

Spanish is one of the two languages offered by the department of modern languages. Foreign study forms a valuable part of education, and the department strongly encourages students to spend their junior year abroad. The department maintains a file of the many summer, semester and year-long programs abroad in which our students can participate so that each one can choose the type of program and location which best suits her interests.

Both a major and a minor in Spanish are offered.

Spanish Major (B.A.)

All Spanish courses offered above SPAN 030 may count toward the major and are conducted primarily in Spanish unless otherwise indicated. Nine such courses are required for the major. These must include SPAN 105, 206, and 390, unless exemptions are granted by the department. At least three of the required SPAN courses, including at least one 200-level course, must be completed at Salem. All majors will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of oral and written proficiency in Spanish.

Students are strongly urged to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Salem annually offers January term course in Mexico, a total immersion program in which students live with Mexican families and attend six daily hours of classes. (See course description for SPAN 300 below.) Spanish Minor The minor in Spanish requires five courses above SPAN 030. These must include SPAN 105, SPAN 206 and one civilization course (SPAN 222 or 228). At least three of the five courses must be taken at Salem.

Spanish Courses (SPAN)

010. Spanish, First Level One course

Introduction to the basic elements of understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish with emphasis on cultural awareness of the Hispanic world. Fall.

020. Spanish, Second Level One course

Continuation of Spanish 10. Further development of the basic elements of understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish with emphasis on cultural awareness of the Hispanic world. Prerequisite: Spanish 010 or proficiency equivalent. Spring.

025. Intensive Elementary Spanish One course

A comprehensive and intensive study of the basics of Spanish pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and structure. Practice in speaking, understanding, writing and reading Spanish of increasing difficulty. This class covers the same material as Spanish 010 and 020 combined. Designed for entering students with two or more years of Spanish who do not meet the proficiency requirement to enter Spanish 030. Fall.

030. Spanish, Third Level One course

Intermediate development of skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish through grammar review and cultural readings. Prerequisite: SPAN 020 or SPAN 025 or proficiency equivalent. Fall and Spring.

105. Verbal Communication One course

Continuation of Spanish 030. Emphasizes speaking and listening ability, while deepening knowledge of Spanish grammar and understanding of Hispanic cultures. Prerequisite: SPAN 030 or placement by language test. Fall and Spring.

110. Introductory Spanish Readings One course

An introduction to cultural, literary and journalistic readings. This course emphasizes reading comprehension and vocabulary-building in order to prepare students for more advanced readings. Prerequisite: SPAN 105 or permission of instructor. Spring.

111. Conversational Practice in Spanish One course

An opportunity for students to speak Spanish in an informal setting. Topics may include current events, work, cultural issues and one’s personal life. Prerequisite: SPAN 105 or permission of instructor.

200. Independent Study in Spanish One-quarter to one course

Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 2.0 cumulative average or higher and permission of the chair of the department. Independent study may take the form of readings, research, conference, project and/or field experience. Independent study may be taken for a total of four courses, no more than two in any term. Prerequisite: previous study in Spanish or permission of the department.

206. Spanish Grammar and Conversation One course

Advanced study and practice of some of the finer points of grammar, stylistics, idiomatic expressions, pronunciation and translation. Further development of writing skills involving grammar review, writing, reading and conversation. Prerequisite: SPAN 105 or permission of the instructor. Fall and Spring.

209. Advanced Composition and Introduction to Literary Analysis One course

Focus on complex grammar structures and introduction to literary analysis. This is a bridge course required for advanced work in all areas. Prerequisite: SPAN 206.

210. Business Spanish One course

Practice in both oral and written forms of communication, with emphasis on their application to practical problems encountered in social or business situations. Attention to social and economic practices which differ from those of the U.S. Prerequisite: SPAN 206 or permission of the instructor. Spring.

212. Spanish Translation One course

Concepts, guidelines and practice of translation from English to Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 206.

222. Spain One course

An overview of the geography, history, culture and government of Spain. Prerequisite: SPAN 206. Spring, alternate years.

228. Latin America One course

An overview of the geography, history, culture and governments of Latin America. Prerequisite: SPAN 206. Spring, alternate years.

250. Special Topics in Spanish One course

A special period, issue or theme in Spanish or Hispanic American literature or culture is to be studied in depth. Topic and course content will be announced prior to registration. Course may be taught in English or Spanish. Spanish majors will be required to do their reading and writing in Spanish whenever possible. Prerequisite: SPAN 206. Offered as needed.

261. Spanish Literature One course

Reading and analysis of significant literary texts representative of important Spanish authors and literary movements from the Middle Ages to the present. Use of MLA style research methods. Prerequisite: SPAN 209. Fall, alternate years.

263. Hispanic American Literature One course

Reading and analysis of literary works written in Spanish in Latin America, from the colonial period to the present, with emphasis on recent fiction. Use of MLA style and research methods. Prerequisite: SPAN 209. Fall, alternate years.

270. Internship in Spanish One course

An opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills the student has learned in courses to real work settings; the apprenticeship aspect of the internship implies that the student has some base of knowledge and will increase her knowledge and skills by direct contact with an experienced, knowledgeable mentor. Open to juniors and seniors with a 2.0 cumulative average; may be taken only once for credit toward the major or minor; admission by application only. Fall and Spring.

290. Honors Independent Study in Spanish One course

Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Normally open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 major average in Spanish. Subject to the approval of the chair of the department. Honors work may be taken for a maximum of two courses.

300. Mexico Immersion Program One course

Language and cultural immersion in Mexico during Salem College’s January term program. This course may substitute for SPAN 010, 020, 030 or 250, depending on the level of coursework completed.

Professor Hines-Gaither