About the B.A. in Spanish
- Preparation for graduate study
- Preparation for teaching
- Preparation for careers in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government
- Minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and linguistics
- Courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, and Russian
- Internships in the Hispanic community in Philadelphia
- Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world
Objectives
Proficiency in a language in addition to English is an increasingly important tool for a career in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government.
Modern Languages programs focus on the study of language, culture, literature and film within each international language group. Students who pursue a major in Spanish, Italian or French can take advantage of a wide range of courses in the language, culture and literature of Spain, Latin America, Italy, and France, respectively.
Modern Languages programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Cultural Studies, Italian Studies, French Studies, and minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and linguistics. Also available are courses at the beginning level in, Arabic, Chinese, American Sign Language and Russian. Intermediate courses are offered in Japanese and Chinese. Modern Language courses emphasize both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Fluency and accuracy of language are the basis for effective communication. At the same time, students can begin to relate to the cultural aspects of the language they are studying through authentic written materials. Classes are taught in the target language, and small-group activities involve students in active learning.
Critical thinking is encouraged from beginning courses through advanced film and literature courses. Students who intend to continue a language studied previously (in high school or elsewhere) take a placement test and enroll in the course designated by the Department. The completion of the 101-201 level sequence (or its equivalent) is required for all courses above 201.
The Department supports chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society, and Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society. And Gamma Kappa Alpha, the national Italian honor society. Students of Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese are involved in the multicultural community at Arcadia University in many ways.
B.A. in Spanish (Glenside)
The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish prepares students to communicate in Spanish through experience in Spanish classes as well as in a Spanish-speaking environment in a study abroad experience.
Students become familiar with the history and culture of Spain and Latin America and with issues facing Hispanics in the United States. Students will be qualified to enter a teacher certification program, graduate study, or to enter any profession for which a liberal arts degree is a prerequisite.
Requirements for the B.A. in Spanish
(44 credits total)
Students with no background in Spanish must complete the series Spanish 101/102/201 before entering the major. Students who have a previous knowledge of Spanish will be placed according to their performance on the Spanish placement inventory.
Students enrolled in Spanish as a major ordinarily complete 50 percent of the required courses at and beyond the 200 level at Arcadia University. The senior seminar and the thesis must be developed under the supervision of an Arcadia University faculty member.
Courses taken abroad as part of an international educational experience will be recognized and accepted for transfer credit provided they are not a repetition of similar courses taken at Arcadia University. Students must consult with their advisers before departing and engaging in courses abroad.
Students majoring in Spanish are advised to spend one full semester or at least one summer session in one of the programs organized and coordinated by Arcadia’s College of Global Studies.
Up to two bilingual courses with a Spanish or Latin American content can be counted toward the Spanish major plus one departmental course in linguistics taught in English Only one can be counted toward the minor.
