Spanish

College of Liberal Arts

Department of Foreign Languages

Bachelor of Arts

Language and Literature Option

Public Service Option

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Liberal Studies Spanish Option

(for major requirements, refer to the Liberal Studies section in this catalog)

Minor

Spanish

Certificate

Spanish for Public Service

Subject Matter Preparation Program

Spanish

Faculty

Miguel Domínguez, Foreign Languages Department Chair

José S. Cuervo, Michael Galant, Benito Gomez, Ivonne Heinze-Balcazar, Frances Lauerhass, Raúl Romero, Luz Watts

Foreign Languages Department Office: LCH E-309, (310) 243-3315; FAX (310) 516-3316

Emeritus Faculty

Richard Beym, Porfirio Sánchez

Program Description

The Major in Spanish provides students with a solid foundation in the Spanish language. Indeed, as the number of Spanish-speaking residents in the Greater Los Angeles area continues to grow, so too do the career opportunities available to Spanish majors. The Spanish Major provides students with a choice of two options: Language and Literature, or Public Service. The Language and Literature Option more closely parallels the “traditional” major in Spanish and prepares students who intend to continue their studies of Spanish in graduate school, working towards a master’s degree or a doctorate in Spanish or Hispanic Literature, Civilization or Linguistics. This option also is designed to train students who plan to teach Spanish in secondary schools or at the community college.

The Public Service Option is designed to meet the needs of students who plan careers in social service work in the Southwestern states in areas such as: police services, social work, nursing, municipal services and similar public services employment. This option also is suited to students who intend to work in civil service positions such as those offered by the U.S. Department of State and other government agencies with services abroad, or in areas of business where knowledge of another language is desirable.

A Minor in Spanish also is offered. This minor is particularly useful to students majoring in business, in the public service fields, in French, or in any other field where knowledge of another language is desirable.

In addition to the major and minor programs in Spanish, the Department of Foreign Languages offers a Spanish for Public Service Certificate Program. The Certificate Program can be completed by regular CSU Dominguez Hills students as well as by extension students who are not pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Features

At present, the most urgent need for majors in Spanish is in the area of public school teaching, at both the elementary and secondary levels. There is an acute shortage of bilingual teachers in the Greater Los Angeles area. For students who plan to teach at the elementary level and who are majoring in Liberal Studies, the Spanish program provides a Liberal Studies Bilingual Spanish Concentration, which is particularly helpful for those potential elementary teachers who intend to seek bilingual certification. The Single Subject Waiver Program in Spanish is designed for students who plan to teach Spanish at the secondary school level.

Academic Advisement

The Department of Foreign Languages is eager to provide all its students with the advisement they will need to continue their studies in a foreign language. Students may choose an advisor of their choice from the full-time faculty in Spanish or, if preferred, come to the department office and be assigned an advisor. An advisor can be helpful in choosing the Spanish course best suited to the background and needs of each student.

Students must see an advisor upon admission, upon completion of 60 semester units, and during the first semester of the senior year.

Preparation

High school students who plan to major or minor in Spanish are encouraged to take at least two years of Spanish in high school. Those who have completed four years of high school Spanish successfully may be able to begin their study of Spanish at CSU Dominguez Hills at the upper division level. Students who have taken AP Spanish, French or Japanese may receive credit for some lower division courses.

Community college transfer students planning to take upper division Spanish courses at CSU Dominguez Hills should have completed four semesters of college level Spanish successfully. Those who have taken fewer than four semesters of Spanish in a community college will be placed at an appropriate level by means of advisement.

Student Organizations

Sigma Delta Pi: Membership in our Nu Psi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish National Honorary Society, is open to students who have completed at least 18 upper division semester units in Spanish including at least one upper division course in literature or culture, and who have a 3.0 grade point average in all classes, including a 3.0 grade point average in all Spanish courses. Sigma Delta Pi seeks to honor those who seek and attain excellence in the study of Spanish language, literature and culture; to honor those who strive to make Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the world in general; to encourage college students to acquire a greater interest in and deeper understanding of Hispanic culture; and to foster friendly relations and mutual respect between Spanish speaking nations and other peoples of the world. Students interested in applying for membership should consult the chair of the Department of Foreign Languages.

Graduation With Honors

An undergraduate student may graduate with Honors in Spanish provided that the following criteria are met:

1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;

2. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the upper division requirements in the major;

3. Recommendation by the faculty of the Foreign Languages Department.

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (55-62 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" in the University Catalog.

Minor Requirements

Student completing this major will need to complete a minor in another field.

Major Requirements (30-42 units)

Students must select one of the options listed. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

Common Core Requirements (18-30 units)

A. Lower Division Required Courses (3-15 units)

SPA 100. Beginning Spoken Interaction (3)

SPA 110. Beginning Spanish I (3)

SPA 111. Beginning Spanish II (3)

SPA 220. Intermediate Spanish I (3)

SPA 221. Intermediate Spanish II (3) or

SPA 280. Spanish for Native Speakers (3)

NOTE: Students who have completed two, three or four years of high-school or community college Spanish and who pass a proficiency test will be placed in the appropriate semester of college Spanish. All majors must take SPA 221 or SPA 280. Consult a departmental advisor for details.

B. Upper Division Required Courses (15 units)

SPA 305. Advanced Composition, Syntax, and Stylistics (3)

SPA 311. The Structure of Spanish (3)

SPA 340. Practical Spanish for Interpreters and Translators (3) or

SPA 341. Advanced Conversation (3)

SPA 350. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spain (3) or

SPA 351. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spanish-Speaking America (3)

SPA 490. Seminar in Special Topics in Spanish (3)
Spanish American Literature (3)

Language and Literature Option (30-42 units)

A. Common Core Requirements (18-30 units)

B. Upper Division Required Courses (12 units)

SPA 330. Interpreting Hispanic Literature (3)

SPA 454. Cervantes: Don Quijote (3) and

Two upper division courses listed in Spanish offerings of which at least one must be in literature.

Public Service Option (30-42 units)

A. Common Core Requirements (18-30 units)

B. Upper Division Required Courses (12 units)

SPA 302. Commercial Spanish (3)

SPA 314. Spanish Phonology (3)

SPA 320. Bilingual Community Internship (3)

SPA 435. A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3)

Minor in Spanish (12-27 units)

A. Lower Division Required Courses (0-15 units)

SPA 100. Beginning Spoken Interaction (3)

SPA 110-111. Beginning Spanish I and II (3,3)

SPA 220-221. Intermediate Spanish I and II (3,3)

NOTE: Students who have completed two, three or four years of high-school or community college Spanish will be placed in the appropriate semester of college Spanish. Consult a departmental advisor for details.

B. Upper Division Required Courses (12 units)

SPA 305. Advanced Composition, Syntax, and Stylistics (3) or

SPA 341. Advanced Conversation (3)

SPA 311. The Structure of Spanish (3) or

SPA 314. Spanish Phonology (3)

SPA 330. Interpreting Hispanic Literature (3) or

SPA 453. The Literature of Spain (3) or

SPA 456. Literature of Spanish America (3)

SPA 350. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spain (3) or

SPA 351. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spanish-Speaking America (3)

Spanish Option under the B.A. in Liberal Studies (9-27 units)

(for major requirements, refer to the Liberal Studies section in this catalog)

A. Lower Division Prerequisites (0-15 units):

SPA 100. Beginning Spoken Interaction (3)

SPA 110. Beginning Spanish I (3)

SPA 111. Beginning Spanish II (3)

SPA 220. Intermediate Spanish I (3)

SPA 221. Intermediate Spanish II (3)

Note: Students who have completed some high school or community college Spanish and who pass a proficiency test will be placed in the appropriate semester of college Spanish. Consult the Spanish department advisor for details.

B. Required courses (9-12 units):

SPA 305. Advanced Composition, Syntax and Stylistics (3)

SPA 311. The Structure of Spanish (3)

SPA 341. Advanced Conversation (3)

SPA 435. A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3) #

Certificate in Spanish for Public Service (15 units)

Southern California has become one of the world’s largest Spanish-speaking communities. The Spanish for Public Service Certificate Program consists of five courses and provides basic speaking, reading and writing skills in Spanish for those individuals who deal with native Spanish-speakers in the course of their daily work. An additional objective is to increase the participant’s understanding of the Hispanic community, thus encouraging improved relationships between employees and the Spanish-speaking public they serve. Students enroll in two Spanish courses per semester (in two of three semesters of the program). One of these is a Spanish language and culture course, and the other (SPA 320) is a Spanish language internship that reinforces newly acquired Spanish skills throughout the program. Students may utilize their own employment or volunteer activity as an internship for the Certificate Program if it fulfills requirements. Students not presently interfacing with Spanish-speaking clientele will be placed in volunteer Spanish language positions. The five-course program requires three semesters to complete and comprises 15 units.

The Spanish for Public Service Certificate Program is open to the public through the University’s Division of Extended Education. Courses are offered during evening hours and on weekends to accommodate work schedules.

A. Lower Division Required Courses (9 units)

SPA 105. Career-Related Spanish I (3)

SPA 221. Intermediate Spanish II (3) or

SPA 280. Spanish for Native-Speakers (3)

SPA 230. Spanish Conversation (3)

B. Upper Division Required Courses (6 units)

SPA 320. Bilingual Community Internship (3,3)

Subject Matter Preparation Program in Spanish (48 units)

The Subject Matter Preparation Program in Spanish is designed for students interested in a career in teaching Spanish at the secondary school level. This program satisfies the requirements set by the State Commission on Teacher Credentialing for demonstrating substantive preparation in the subject matter field of Spanish. Completion of an approved waiver program or passing The National Teachers Examination in the subject matter field fulfills one part of the requirements leading to the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish. While the waiver in Spanish is not an academic major, credits earned toward a major in Spanish can be used to meet most of the requirements of the waiver program. Students interested in pursuing a teaching career at the secondary level should meet regularly with the designated departmental waiver program advisor.

A. Lower Division Required Courses (12 units)

SPA 110. Beginning Spanish I (3)

SPA 111. Beginning Spanish II (3)

SPA 220. Intermediate Spanish I (3)

SPA 221. Intermediate Spanish II (3)

B. Upper Division Required Courses (36 units)

SPA 305. Advanced Composition, Syntax, and Stylistics (3)

SPA 311. The Structure of Spanish (3)

SPA 314. Spanish Phonology (3)

SPA 330. Interpreting Hispanic Literature (3)

SPA 341. Advanced Conversation (3)

SPA 350. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spain (3)

SPA 351. Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spanish-Speaking America (3)

SPA 400. Teaching School Subject Matter in Spanish (3)

SPA 435. A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3)

SPA 453. The Literature of Spain (3) or

SPA 456. Literature of Spanish America (3)

SPA 454. Cervantes: Don Quijote (3)

SPA 490. Seminar in Special Topics in Spanish or
Spanish American Literature (3)

Course Offerings

The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. For course availability, please see the list of tentative course offerings in the current Class Schedule.

Lower Division

SPA 100 Beginning Spoken Interaction (3).

A performance-based course in which students participate extensively in face-to-face, immersive speaking and listening interactions. Emphasizes high frequency, everyday spoken Spanish. Enables students to begin to interact successfully in Spanish in the community, at work, and with friends. Lab attendance required. Repeatable course.

SPA 110 Beginning Spanish I (3).

Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in SPA 100.

Basic instruction in Spanish. Training in speaking, listening, reading, and writing for students who have had no previous work in Spanish.

SPA 111 Beginning Spanish II (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 110 or equivalent.

A continuation of Spanish 110.

SPA 115 Intensive Beginning Spanish (6).

Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in SPA 100.

An accelerated course in beginning Spanish; emphasis on speaking and listening comprehension. Development of elementary reading and writing skills. Active participation and engagement. The equivalent of SPA 110 plus SPA 111.

SPA 151 Introduction to Hispanic Culture (3).

Introduction to Hispanic Culture. A designated geographical area studies course focusing on patterns of culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Specific topic will vary from semester to semester; for example, Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., or Contemporary Spain. Conducted in English.

SPA 220 Intermediate Spanish I(3).

Prerequisite: SPA 111 or equivalent.

A continuation of Spanish 111, with emphasis on oral communication skills.

SPA 221 Intermediate Spanish II (3) FS.

Prerequisite: SPA 220 or equivalent.

A continuation of Spanish 220, with emphasis on reading and writing.

SPA 230 Spanish Conversation (3).

Highly individualized self-paced course taught with the Foreign Service Institute tapes and materials. Particularly suited for teachers and teacher trainees. Repeatable up to a maximum of 6 units. Completion of volumes I and II equivalent to SPA 110, SPA 111 and SPA 220. Repeatable course.

SPA 280 Spanish for Native Speakers (3).

Emphasis on writing (spelling, punctuation, diacritical marks), dialectal variations, grammatical problems, reading comprehension, and vocabulary expansion. Develops literacy skills for the native Spanish-speaker.

Upper Division

SPA 302 Commercial Spanish (3).

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Spanish.

Instruction in writing correct business communications in Spanish. Emphasis on vocabulary acquisition. Close examination of daily cultural patterns as reflected in the commercial field. Repeatable course.

SPA 305 Advanced Composition, Syntax and Stylistics (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 221 or consent of instructor.

A reading, composition, and discussion course concerned with elements of style and syntax, with emphasis on creative writing by the students.

SPA 311 The Structure of Spanish (3).

An analysis of the sounds, formations, and routines of the language, focusing on global characteristics of Spanish that English speakers need to acquire. Selected language acquisition problems of English speakers featured.

SPA 314 Spanish Phonology (3).

A beginning course in the segmental and suprasegmental phonetic systems: phonological pronunciation phenomena of standard and regional Spanish.

SPA 330 Interpreting Hispanic Literature (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 221 or equivalent.

Analysis and interpretation of representative Hispanic prose, poetry, and drama.

SPA 340 Practical Spanish for Interpreters and Translators (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 305 or equivalent.

Translation from Spanish to English and English to Spanish with practical application for journalistic, advertising, commercial, and governmental activities. Introduction to the art of consecutive translation.

SPA 341 Advanced Conversation (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 221 or equivalent.

Intensive conversation leading to fluency in the use of idiomatic, everyday Spanish and the development of a comprehensive, practical vocabulary. Useful for public service, as well as for the bilingual/cross-cultural credential program. CR/NC grading.

SPA 350 Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spain (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 221 or equivalent.

An area studies course focusing on patterns of culture in contemporary Spain.

SPA 351 Contemporary Hispanic Culture: Spanish-Speaking America (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 221 or equivalent.

A designated geographical area studies course focusing on patterns of culture in the Spanish-speaking world. Specific topics may vary from semester to semester. Norms, intergroup relations, institutions, language, and societal values of rural and urban people. Repeatable course.

SPA 352 Hispanic Culture: A Pluralistic Perspective (3).

A designated geographical area studies course focusing on patterns of contemporary cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Emphasis on exploration of cross-cultural commonalities and differences in Spain, Mexico, the Carribean, Central and South America, and the U.S. Southwest. Conducted in English.

SPA 400 Teaching School Subject Matter in Spanish (3).

Prerequisite: Knowledge of Spanish or consent of instructor.

Vocabulary and materials used in elementary or secondary schools for teaching reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies in Spanish. Aspects and problems of language acquisition and linguistic transitions made by English speakers acquiring Spanish proficiency. Required for credential candidates.

SPA 435 A Sociolinguistic Approach to Mexican American Dialect (3).

Identification of characteristic linguistic difficulties of Spanish-speaking children correlated to social-cultural background. Contrastive analyses of the linguistic competencies and performances for these children learning English. Repeatable course.

SPA 453 The Literature of Spain (3).

Prerequisites: SPA 221 or equivalent is required; SPA 330 is recommended.

Readings and analysis of Spanish literary works in all genres. Topic varies from semester to semester. Repeatable course.

SPA 454 Cervantes: Don Quijote (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 330 or equivalent.

Reading and analysis of the major work of Spanish literature.

SPA 456 Literature of Spanish America (3).

Prerequisites: SPA 221 or equivalent is required; SPA 330 is recommended.

Readings and analysis of selected works of Spanish American literature. Course content may cover a single country or a literary movement or genre as represented in various Spanish American countries. Topic varies from semester to semester. Repeatable course.

SPA 461 Lecturas Mexicanas y Mexico Americanas (3).

Prerequisites: SPA 221 or equivalent is required; SPA 330 is recommended.

Readings and analysis of Mexican and Mexican American literary works in all genres. Specific genre and country will vary from semester to semester.

SPA 490 Seminar in Special Topics in Spanish or Spanish American Literature (3).

Prerequisite: SPA 330 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

Intensive study of a single author, a literary movement, a literary genre, or a single literary work. Repeatable with different topics for credit. Three hours of seminar per week.

SPA 494 Independent Study (3).

Prerequisites: “B” average in Spanish; consent of instructor and department chair.

Independent study of a literary or linguistic problem, an author, or a literary movement. Repeatable course.

Graduate

Graduate standing or consent of the graduate program coordinator is prerequisite to enrollment in graduate (500 level) courses.

SPA 594 Independent Study (1-3).

Prerequisites: Consent of department chair and faculty advisor.

In consultation with a faculty member, the student will investigate, in detail, current scholarship in selected area(s) or will undertake a project involving original research or creative study. Repeatable course.

SPA 595 Special Topics in Spanish (3)

Prerequisites: Two upper division courses in Spanish Literature, two upper division courses in Spanish Linguistics, or consent of the instructor.

Intensive study of a topic of current interest to the disciplines of Spanish Literature and Spanish Linguistics. Topic and content will vary each term. New topics will be offered each term. Course may be repeated with different topic.

SPA 597 Directed Reading (1-3).

Prerequisites: Consent of department chair and faculty advisor.

Extensive reading in selected areas under the guidance of a faculty member. Repeatable course.

Infrequently Offered Courses

The following courses are scheduled only on a "demand" basis. Students should consult the department office for information about the next scheduled offering.

SPA 105 Career Related Spanish I (3).

Basic communication skills in Spanish for persons currently working or planning a career in education, business, allied health fields, social welfare, as well as other sectors of the world of work.

SPA 215 Intensive Intermediate Sanish (6).

An accelerated course in intermediate Spanish; emphasis on speaking and listening comprehension. Development of intermediate reading and writing skills. Active participation and engagement. The equivalent of SPA 220 plus SPA 221.

SPA 320 Bilingual Community Internship (3).

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Participation in an off-campus internship directly servicing monolingual Spanish-speaking persons. Provides experience for persons who are developing reasonable communication skills in Spanish in a commercial or public service setting. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units. Repeatable course. An average of two hours of lecture per week plus fieldwork. CR/NC grading.