Spanish
Today’s interconnected world generates the need to be able to communicate in more than one language. As networks of international cooperation and exchange grow in complexity, particularly among governments and businesses, those who possess foreign language competence become increasingly valuable. Moreover, it has been shown that learning a second language can improve one’s overall writing and speaking ability.
Career Directions
Experience has shown that many students, with or without declared modern language majors or minors, find a second language background especially useful when combined with preparation in another professional field. Examples include public relations, journalism, TV and radio broadcasting, hotel management, publishing and editing, government service, banking, and management.
One of the more promising occupational fields for language students has been international business. Individuals with foreign language skills are finding increased opportunities with multinational corporations, especially in management and marketing. Many companies with international ties recruit candidates possessing linguistic training because they recognize its correlation with effective verbal and written communication. Regardless of their specific majors, students are encouraged to contact the department for information and advice on career application of foreign language skills.
Students wishing to prepare for high school teaching should make this intention known to the School of Education and to the Department of Modern Languages to make certain that the requirements for state certification are met. Competitiveness and flexibility in the job market tend to be greater if certification can be obtained in two or more different areas.
Major Requirements
Major: Spanish
Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 120
General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree
- A list of approved general education courses is available here .
- General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, should they apply.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing courses in another General Education category. |
| † | May be satisfied with courses required in the major. Review major requirements to determine if a specific upper division writing course is required. |
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree – The completion of a minor program of study, a second major, or a second degree is required.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree – Second year language proficiency at college level required.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences College Requirements
An additional 9 credits are required by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for all Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs of study, except the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, and the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AH&SS College Requirements | ||
Courses used to satisfy any general education requirement cannot be used to also count toward the AH&SS College Requirements. A minimum of three credits is required in each of the 3 following areas for a total of 9 credits. Choose only those courses with the prefixes listed for each area. A course with the WGS prefix can only be used in one area. | ||
| Area One: Humanities | 3 | |
ARB, ENGL, FREN, GERM, HIST, HUM, PHIL, RELS, SPAN, or WGS | ||
| Area Two: Social Sciences | 3 | |
ANTH, CJ, COMM, EMGT, POLS, SOC, or WGS | ||
| Area Three: Fine Arts | 3 | |
ARCH, ART, ENVD, LA, MUSC, or THEA | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Major Requirements
A minimum grade of 'B' is required for all SPAN prefix courses counted for the Spanish major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish Major Core Requirements | ||
| SPAN 311 | Spanish Conversation and Composition I | 3 |
| SPAN 312 | Spanish Conversation and Composition II | 3 |
| Advanced Language: | ||
| SPAN 401 | Advanced Spanish Grammar and Writing (May satisfy a general education category C) | 3 |
| or SPAN 402 | Advanced Spanish Conversation | |
| Civilization: | ||
| SPAN 330 | Introduction to Spanish Civilization | 3 |
| or SPAN 331 | Introduction to Spanish American Civilization | |
| Spanish American Literature: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Traditions in Spanish American Literature | ||
| Contemporary Spanish American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Chicano Literature | ||
| Spanish American Women Writers | ||
| Peninsular Literature: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Traditions in Spanish Literature | ||
| Contemporary Spanish Literature | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| Spanish Women Writers | ||
| Foreign Language: | ||
| A minimum of one year of a second foreign language is required, with grades of ‘C’ or better in both semesters.. | 8 | |
| Additional Courses: | 9 | |
Select from the following and any course not used above: | ||
| Introduction to Hispanic Cinema | ||
| Approaches to Literature | ||
| Study Abroad and Capstone Experience: | ||
| SPAN 492 | Study Abroad (Requires a minimum of one semester-14 weeks at the 300+ level in a program pre-approved by the Modern Languages Dept.) | 1-15 |
| SPAN 489 | Senior Thesis (Consult dept/adviser semester before enrolling) | 1 |
| Total Credits | 37-51 | |
Degree Notes:
- Of the 28 credits required for the Spanish major, 15 must be NDSU resident credits in addition to the capstone (i.e. cannot be taken Tri-College or study abroad). Note: Other University-wide residency requirements will apply.
Minor Requirements
Spanish Minor
Minor Requirements
Required Credits:18
A minimum grade of 'B' is required for all courses used for the Spanish minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Core Requirements | ||
| SPAN 311 | Spanish Conversation and Composition I | 3 |
| SPAN 312 | Spanish Conversation and Composition II | 3 |
| SPAN 330 | Introduction to Spanish Civilization | 3 |
| or SPAN 331 | Introduction to Spanish American Civilization | |
| SPAN 401 | Advanced Spanish Grammar and Writing | 3 |
| or SPAN 402 | Advanced Spanish Conversation | |
| Select one course form the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Hispanic Cinema | ||
| Approaches to Literature | ||
| Traditions in Spanish American Literature | ||
| Contemporary Spanish American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Chicano Literature | ||
| Spanish American Women Writers | ||
| Traditions in Spanish Literature | ||
| Contemporary Spanish Literature | ||
| Cervantes | ||
| Spanish Women Writers | ||
| Additional Electives - Select from any course listed on this guide not previously taken. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Minor Requirements and Notes
- A minimum of 9 credits must be taken at NDSU; cannot be taken through Tri-College or study abroad.
