Spanish

About this Major

The Spanish degree involves the completion of three specific components:

• the General Education Core required of all VCSU graduates;
• a mix of required and elective courses in the major, including travel abroad, that helps students reach cultural and language fluency;
• and a minor in a related area of the student’s choice.

Students work closely with Spanish faculty to determine which General Education courses best fit their interests and future plans, as well as which electives might suit them best term by term. This program is designed specifically to help students find the right mix of courses for both their present desires and future needs, all with the help of an advisor who thoroughly knows the language and the program.

Career Opportunities

Since Spanish majors develop strong critical thinking skills in the process of achieving fluency in the language, the degree can be used in a variety of occupations involving close work with Spanish-speaking populations, including:

• Journalism
• Law
• Medicine
• Counseling
• Social work
• Human services
• Advertising
• Marketing
• Management positions
• Government
• Translation work 

Travel Abroad

Travel abroad terms immerse future graduates in the social, civic, and academic life internationally. These trips are a huge value-added component of the Spanish major. VCSU has a Global Exploration club that has made numerous trips abroad. These trips allow students to work on their language skills, expand their cultural understanding, and volunteer.  In short, studying Spanish is fun, demanding, and rewarding, and we’re committed to helping our majors fully reap the benefits of their labor.

Get Involved in your Major

Spanish Club — A lively group of majors, minors, and aficionados, Club Espanol brings Spanish-language experiences to campus as well as hitting the road to find them.

The Forge — The campus literary and arts journal hosted by the Language and Literature Department, The Forge is fully staffed by students and publishes original student work on an annual basis.

Contact Information

Jodi Shorma, jodi.shorma@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7231

Faculty Contact

Luis Betancur, luis.betancur@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7791

Department Location

McFarland Hall 315, (701) 845-7301

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/, (701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641

General Education Requirements 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
English Composition
Select one of the following:		6
ENGL 110	College Composition I
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
or
ENGL 120	College Composition II
or ENGL 125	Introduction to Professional Writing
ENGL 210	College Composition III: Persuasive Writing
Speech Communication
Select one of the following:		3
COMM 110	Fundamentals of Public Speaking
COMM 212	Interpersonal Communication
COMM 216	Intercultural Communication
Mathematics
Select one of the following:		3
MATH 103	College Algebra
MATH 104	Finite Mathematics
MATH 107	Precalculus
MATH 110	Mathematics in Society
MATH 165	Calculus I
MATH 210	Elementary Statistics
Lab Science
Select two of the following, one must come from the Natural and Physical Sciences category		8
Natural and Physical Sciences (ND:LABSC)
BIOL 111	Concepts of Biology
BIOL 150	General Biology I
BIOL 151	General Biology II
BIOL 170	General Zoology
CHEM 115	Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 116	Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 121	General Chemistry I
CHEM 122	General Chemistry II
GEOL 100	Introduction to Earth Science
GEOL 106	The Earth Through Time
PHYS 100	Concepts of Physics
PHYS 110	Introductory Astronomy
PHYS 211	College Physics I
PHYS 212	College Physics II
PHYS 251	University Physics I
PHYS 252	University Physics II
Additional Sciences (ND:SCI)
PSYC 240	Cognition and Brain Science
TECH 161	Technology, Engineering, and Design
TECH 165	Technology Solutions for Society
Wellness
Select one of the following:		2
HPER 100	Concepts of Fitness and Wellness
HPER 212	Introduction to Stress Management
Computer Science and Literacy
Select one of the following:		3
CIS 147	Principles of Information Security
CIS 170	Introduction to Computer Information Systems 1
CSCI 120	Introduction to Programming
CSCI 127	Introduction to Programming in Java
CSCI 160	Introduction to Structured Programming I
CSCI 289	Social Implications of Computer Technology 1
SE 110	Discovering Computing
Humanities
Literacies
Select one of the following:		3
ASL 101	American Sign Language I
ASL 102	American Sign Language II
COMM 211	Oral Interpretation
ENGL 220	Introduction to Literature
ENGL 225	Introduction to Film
ENGL 231	Bible as Literature
ENGL 232	Mythology
ENGL 236	Women and Literature
ENGL 241	World Literature I
ENGL 242	World Literature II
ENGL 261	American Literature I
ENGL 262	American Literature II
HUM 201	Civilization, Thought, and Literary Heritage
PSYC 200	Ethics and Philosophy of Science
SPAN 101	1st Year Spanish I
SPAN 102	1st Year Spanish II
SPAN 201	2nd Year Spanish I
SPAN 202	2nd Year Spanish II
THEA 110	Introduction to Theatre Arts
Art and Music
Select one of the following:		3
ART 110	Introduction to the Visual Arts
ART 115	Introduction to Digital Media
ART 210	Art History I
ART 211	Art History II
ART 233	History of Craft
HUM 202	Fine Arts and Aesthetics
MUS 100	Music Appreciation
MUS 101	Music Fundamentals
MUS 201	World Music
MUS 207	History of Popular/Rock Music
Social Science
Select 6 credits from the following:		6
COMM 112	Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 114	Human Communication
ECON 201	Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 202	Principles of Macroeconomics
GEOG 151	Human Geography
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States to Present
HIST 211	World Civilizations to 1500
HIST 212	World Civilizations since 1500
HIST 267	Environmental History
HIST 270	Native American Studies
POLS 115	American National Government
POLS 116	State and Local Government
PSYC 111	Introduction to Psychology
SOC 110	Introduction to Sociology
SOC 111	Introduction to Anthropology
Additional Humanities or Social Science
Select one additional course from Humanities or Social Science or select from the following:		2
ART 122	Two-Dimensional Design
ART 130	Drawing I
ART 150	Ceramics I
ART 180	Photography I
GEOG 111	Survey of Geography
MUS 104	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 105	Group Piano for Non-Majors
MUS 130	Valkyries
MUS 131	Concert Choir
MUS 140	Athletic Band
MUS 141	Concert Band
PHYS 275	Planetarium Science
THEA 201	Theatre Practicum
Total Credits		39

¹

Course satisfies the Digital Literacy graduation requirement.

Major Requirements

Total General Education 39 Hrs
Total Major Requirement  39 Hrs
Total Credits Needed to Graduate 120 Hrs

 Note: This major requires a minor

For degree and graduation requirements, visit degree requirements and graduation requirements.

Plan of Study

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
CIS 170 (Gen Ed)	3	ENGL 120 (Gen Ed)	3
ENGL 110 (Gen Ed)	3	HPER 100	2
Lab Science Elective	4	SPAN 102	3
SPAN 101	3	Lab Science Elective	4
UNIV 150	1	Mathematics Elective	3
	14		15
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
SPAN 201	3	SPAN 202	3
Social Science Elective	3	SPAN 215	3
Literacies Elective	3	Art and Music Elective	3
Speech Communication Elective	3	Social Science Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	Minor Elective	3
	15		15
Third Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
SPAN 220	3	SPAN 451	3
SPAN 251	3	Additional Humanities or Social Science Elective	3
Social Sciences Elective	3	Minor Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	Minor Elective	3
Minor Elective	3	Minor Elective	3
	15		15
Fourth Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
SPAN 420	3	SPAN 396	2
SPAN 391	2	SPAN 491	2
Minor Elective	3	SPAN 497	6
Elective	3	Elective	3
Elective	3	Elective	1-3
Elective	3
	17		14-16
Total Credits 120-122

Please note:  This plan is intended for general information only.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisor each semester before registration.

Learning Outcomes

1. Possess strong reading and writing skills in comprehending, interpreting, and producing texts in Spanish
2. Be capable speakers and listeners of Spanish
3. Evidence understanding of Spanish and Hispanic histories and cultures
4. Develop an awareness of how language impacts culture and how culture impacts language