Spanish for the Professions

Undergraduate Programs

Description

Students in the BS Spanish for the Professions degree are committed to gaining a higher level of language proficiency, developing a broad understanding of Spanish-speaking people and environments in which they live and work through general education, internships, and experiencing culture first-hand through a required study abroad in one or more environments where Spanish is spoken. Students focus on the development of skills for specific professional purposes including but not limited to business, medical and other health professions, or law and other legal. 

Majors

 Program Locations Total Credits
Spanish for the Professions BS BS - Bachelor of Science
  • Mankato
 120

Policies & Faculty

Policies

GPA Policy. A grade of “C-” or better must be earned for major or minor credit.

P/N Grading Policy. Work done for a major or minor must be done for a letter grade above the second-year level. A grade of “P” must be earned for major or minor credit in all work done on a P/N basis.

Proficiency and Placement Policies: Students who wish to receive credit by examination may take tests to have their proficiency evaluated. Students may not take a proficiency test for a course in which they are enrolled. Students who have any previous Spanish experience must take the  online Spanish placement assessment  or see a Spanish faculty member for placement advice before enrolling in a Spanish course. Contact the Department for details or see the department website for guidance: www.mnsu.edu/languages/student/placement1.html

Fulfilling BA Language Requirement. Students who wish to validate the BA Language requirement for previous study in French, German, Spanish, Swedish or Norwegian may do so by taking credit by exam. Students do not meet the BA language requirement merely because they have taken two years of high school language.

Residency Requirement. Transfer credits will be applied only if they are the equivalent of work offered by the Department of World Languages & Cultures for the major or minor in that language. In addition, a minimum of work must be taken at Minnesota State Mankato as follows. Major: A minimum of three upper division courses other than SPAN 492 or SPAN 499, for a total of at least 8 credits. At least two of these courses must be at the 400 level. Minor: A minimum of two upper division courses other than SPAN 492 or SPAN 499, for a total of at least six credits.

Changing from one Spanish degree program to another:  The majority of the coursework in Spanish toward the BA Spanish, BS Spanish, BS Spanish Teaching or BS Spanish for the Professions degree programs can be used for the other Spanish degree programs, should a student need to change their degree program before completing their program. In this case, many Spanish majors are double majors. Students who have a double major in a second academic area at our institution may select either the BA Spanish or the BS degree to match the degree they are pursuing in the second academic area to facilitate timely graduation.

 

 

Contact Information

227 Armstrong Hall

(507) 389-2116
https://www.mnsu.edu/languages/spanish/

Faculty

Chair
  • Adriana Gordillo, Ph.D.
GTA Supervisor
  • Gregory Taylor, Ph.D.
Graduate Coordinator
  • Alfredo Duplat, Ph.D.
Faculty

100 Level

Credits: 4

An introduction to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; presentation of condensed cultural notes.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

An introduction to the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing; presentation of condensed cultural notes.

Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Introductory work toward proficiency in reading, writing speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Introductory work toward proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.

Prerequisites: none

200 Level

Credits: 4

A review of the fundamentals of grammar, practice in written and oral expression, development of listening and reading skills, brief cultural components.

Prerequisites: one year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

A review of the fundamentals of grammar, practice in written and oral expression, development of listening and reading skills, brief cultural components. Prereq: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: one year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Includes basic communication exchanges, common vocabulary and experiences. Emphasis is on improving written expression through compositions related to socio-cultural topics of the countries in which Spanish is the primary language.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-08

Credits: 4

.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course explores a wide range of cultural topics such as race, gender, human rights, social conflict, mythology, imaginary worlds, etc. Topics vary every semester and will be explored from a global perspective involving at least 4 cultures (e.g. Dakota, German, Francophone, Scandinavian, Hispanic, Lusophone, etc.). The course is taught in English and exposes students to international and diverse points of view that prepare them to be global citizens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Credits: 1-6

Development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at the intermediate level. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.Pre: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills at the intermediate level. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: One year university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: One year university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Variable topics.

Prerequisites: none

300 Level

Credits: 1-4

Topics will vary and course may be repeated for credit. Language topics include pronunciation and intonation, advanced grammar, Spanish for the marketplace, etc. The focus is on advanced oral or written communication. Prereq: Two years of university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years of university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 4

N/A

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Emphasis on development of oral communication skills and improvement in writing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The course is designed to help advanced Spanish students identify similarities and differences between Spanish and Portuguese and begin developing Portuguese productive language skills and cultural competency through comparative practice.

Prerequisites: SPAN 201W. Completion of one 300 level Spanish course or equivalent intermediate-midproficiency level of Spanish for admission to the course. See department for language proficiency evaluation information or instructor permission.

Credits: 4

Develop writing and reading skills for academic and professional settings for students with intermediate high oral language proficiency who would like to develop their critical reading skills and improve their writing for academic and professional purposes. Practice of orthography, stylistics, compositional elements characteristic of writing in Spanish for a variety of cultural settings, etc. and development of communicative competence for a Spanish-speaking audience based on multicultural readings.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Major cultural and historical aspects of Spain from ancient times to the present. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Major cultural and historical aspects of Latin America from pre-colonial times to the present. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Discussion and analysis of major themes and movements based on selected readings from representative authors from the Spanish speaking world. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Increase proficiency of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Emphasis is on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Content varies. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

An introduction to reading literature in Spanish. Discussion and analysis of representative works by major authors from the Spanish speaking world.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

This course will focus on acquisition of cultural, personal and universal dimensions of cultural learning that will lead to recognition and (appropriate) response to conditions of marginalized populations as they experience first-hand diverse cultures.

Prerequisites: SPAN 201, SPAN 202

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Credits: 0

Curricular practical training for World Languages and Cultures is a full-time practical experience in a professional setting in which more than one language is used. The experience is designed to allow students to improve overall communicative proficiency in languages and address business practices associated with the students academic field of expertise. The Co-Op experience covers a minimum of two consecutive academic terms and requires that students register for a minimum of two consecutive academic terms following the experience.

Prerequisites: none

400 Level

Credits: 1-4

Topics may vary. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion and analysis of Spanish linguistics (syntax, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, translation theory and practice.) Prereq: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Topics vary: Spanish Literature from Medieval to Modern Times. May be repeated for credit. Prereq: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Topics vary: major writers from Spanish America; Spanish American novel; Spanish American poetry; Spanish American drama; Spanish American short story; romanticism, the Mexican novel. May be repeated for credit. Prereq: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of 4 credits of 300 level or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Introduction to the theory and practice of translation. This course is targeted at Spanish students and language professionals interested in developing translation skills, as well as in finding out what is involved in becoming a professional translator.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course is targeted at language professionals including teachers, business professionals, health professionals, law enforcement professionals. The purpose is to improve overall oral proficiency and address communication issues and vocabulary associated with the students' field of expertise.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching, including lessons in listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and culture. Includes testing, program design, lesson planning, and use of technology. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. Fall

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the secondary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with middle or high school students of French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 460.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching for children grades K-6, including oral language development, second language literacy development, content-based language instruction, and techniques for language immersion programs. Prereq: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation.

Prerequisites: Students must demonstrate sufficient language competence in the target language so as to be able to teach courses exclusively in the target language. See content faculty for evaluation. 

Credits: 1

A field experience including placement in the elementary level school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with elementary school students in French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following WLC 462.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Field Experience in the Elementary school setting for students earning licensure in Spanish or Elementary Education Teaching Specialty in Spanish.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Topics in modern language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Variable topics. Prereq: Completion of eight 300-level credits, or equivalent

Prerequisites: Completion of eight 300-level credits, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit. Prereq: Two years university level Spanish

Prerequisites: Two years university level Spanish 

Credits: 1-6

Topics will vary. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Internship in Spanish is designed to provide opportunities to apply classroom learning to practice and enhance skills, to experience the workplace and professional demands, and to explore a career.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Variable topics. Prereq: Completion of eight 300-level credits, or equivalent

Prerequisites: completion of eight 300-level credits, or equivalent 

Credits: 1-4

Special topics in language education. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites: none