Spanish Cultural Studies, B.A.

About the B.A. in Spanish Cultural Studies

• 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.

Requirements for the B.A. in Spanish Cultural Studies

This major, Spanish Cultural Studies, requires one academic year or two semesters of residence in Spain, where students will take courses exclusively related to Spain in institutions that are part of Arcadia’s College of Global Studies.

This major requires 44 credits, but 24 credits must be devoted exclusively to Spain-related study areas.

The courses to be taken by a student as part of the major must cover at least four different areas from the following: Culture, Art History, History, Politics, Geography, Literature, Cinema, Music, and Economy.

The 24 credits do not include language, conversation, and composition courses, areas in which the student should be proficient before entering the new major and/or traveling abroad.

The Capstone or senior thesis must be focused or centered on themes or issues relating to Spain.

The courses taken in Glenside in Spain-related areas, such as literature, cinema, and culture and civilization, will count toward the major. It is highly advisable that a student entering the major takes SP 305 Spanish Culture and Civilization  before departing, in order to have a country background before entering the major.

The Program

The ideal sequence of studies will be as follows.