Spanish Major, B.A.
The Department of Global Languages and Cultures offers a major in Spanish that, in addition to providing a deep understanding of the Spanish language and culture, gives a new perspective on the English language and American culture. The major also prepares students for graduate studies or for careers in teaching, government, business, industry and international organizations.
Spanish majors must spend a semester in a Spanish-speaking country or live for two years in the Spanish House. This residence is under the leadership of two young Spanish or Latin American students.
Internships are available for qualified Spanish majors. Recent internship sites have included the Organization of American States, the Mexican Embassy, the National Association of Cuban American Women, The Maryland Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs, AYUDA and ASPIRA in the nearby Washington, D.C., area and the Servicios Industriales Peñoles in Mexico.
Placement Examinations
Online advanced placement in Spanish is available to incoming first-year students. Before registration, first-year students should arrange to take the department’s placement examination. Those who place in the 201 section of their intended language will receive 3 additional credits; those who place in 203 or a civilization course of their intended language will receive 6 additional credits; and those who place in 207, 208 or in a 300-level course will receive 9 additional credits. In all cases, students will receive the extra credits only if they enroll in one of these courses within the first semester at Hood and complete it with a grade of “C” or better. Students who have completed college-level language courses are ineligible to earn additional credits for these courses.
Recommended Schedule
It is recommended that students intending to major in a language take the following courses in their intended language no later than their sophomore year: 203, 204, 207 and 208. To prepare for graduate school and certain careers, a second foreign language is recommended, but students may not study two languages at the beginning level simultaneously.
Requirements for the Major
Spanish majors are required to take 30 credits in Spanish at the 200 level or above, 15 credits of which must be at the 300 level or above. (Students who transfer to Hood in their junior year intending to major in Spanish must be qualified to enroll in courses at the 200 level or above.)
Majors must take the following Spanish courses:
| SPAN 203 | Spanish Conversation & Composition | 3.0 |
| SPAN 204 | Spanish Culture and Civilization | 3.0 |
| SPAN 207 | Cultural Perspectives on Spanish Literature I | 3.0 |
| SPAN 208 | Cultural Perspectives on Spanish Literature II | 3.0 |
| SPAN 230 | Phonetics and Diction | 3.0 |
| SPAN 315 | Advanced Composition | 3.0 |
| | 12 additional credits in Spanish or Latin American literature at the 300 level or above | 12.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30.0 |