Introduction

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a wide range of of programs in language study to meet the varying needs of today's students. The ability to communicate effectively is essential for success-oriented graduates, and acquiring the competence to communicate in alanguage other than English can often provide a competitive edge in today's global economy. Communicating effectively in a second language is more than the acquisition of language skills. Students also gain insight into another culture which often provides ivaluable perspectives and greater sense of appreciation for alternate ways of life and thought. The department views language, culture and literature as integrally related facets of communication that help us achieve a better understanding of ourselves and others in the rapidly changing world we live in.

The study of a foreign language and culture, as with other humanities and social sciences disciplines, fosters scholarship and values, social responsibility, free and critical inquiry, empirical analysis, and leadership skills. Together, these elements prepare students for intellectually rewarding lives, responsible citizenship, and a wide variety of careers by developing critical thinking, clear writing, problem solving skills, and a heightened understanding of the human condition. The Spanish major in Cal State Fullerton's Department of Modern Languages and Literatures provides a broad curricular base for students interested in developing and enriching their communication skills in Spanish, and in gaining insights and an appreciation of the culture of Spanish-speaking peoples.

Goals:

1. Language: students communicate effectively and in culturally appropriate ways in oral and written form in a variety of social and professional circumstances.

2. Culture: students acquire a comprehensive understanding of Hispanic history and civilization as well as modern culture and society in its various aspects, from daily life to general socio-economic and political structures. 

3. Linguistics: students gain knowledge in the structure of the Spanish language as well as current issues in Spanish linguistics, and develop comparative analyses of the Spanish and English languages.

4. Literature: Students gain knowledge of the major Spanish-language literary movements and theory while situating them in their socio-historical contexts. Students develop a greater appreciation of literature and analytical tools to produce informed and critical readings of Spanish literary texts.

Career Opportunities

As a result of the State of California’s new foreign language requirements for graduation from high school and entry into public universities, there will be an increasing demand for teachers of Spanish in the public school. The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in cooperation with the Department of Secondary Education, has a state-approved Single-Subject Matter Preparation Program for students who wish to teach at the secondary level. Openings for college-level Spanish faculty are expected to increase in the future. The growing internationalization of business in the U.S., and especially in Southern California, means that there will be a greater need in business and commerce for persons proficient in Spanish. The department offers two business-oriented Spanish classes (SPAN 310 and SPAN 311) to give special preparation in this area.

Similar opportunities for individuals proficient in Spanish exist in a wide range of public service professions, such as social service, law enforcement and government, as well as in travel and tourism, the media, publishing, and translation and interpreting.

Advisement Academic and career advisement is provided by departmental faculty. Each student majoring in Spanish is assigned a faculty adviser. Advisement takes place during the instructor’s office hours for your convenience. Students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisers at least once a semester.

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to begin work in the department's undergraduate program must first apply for admission within the appropriate filing period to CSU Fullerton and declare their objective as Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. Application may be obtained from the Office of Amissions & Records at any California State University campus. An electronic version of the CSU application is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/.

Placement

Students should enroll at that point in the sequence of courses for which their previous study and/or experience prepares them. Students with no language background should enroll in fundamental 101-level courses. Normally, two years of high school language study are considered to be equivalent to one year of college language. Students just completing two years of high school language should begin at 200-level intermediate courses. A minimum of four years of high school language, or its equivalent, is considered a prerequisite for more advanced 300-level major work.

Courses at the 101-level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or one term of college study in that language, unless such study was completed three years or more before entering the class. Courses at the 102-level are not open to students who have completed two or more years of high school study or two terms of college study in that language, unless such study was completed two years or more before entering the class. Due to the sequential nature of language instruction, consultation with an adviser in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is essential before enrolling in a course.

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish consists of 33 units of upper-division Spanish coursework, plus the required 3-unit upper-division English writing course, Modern Language (MLNG) 301. Prior to undertaking upper-division work, the Spanish major will have completed the following lower-division courses or their equivalents:

Basic Requirements (17-22 units)
Spanish 101/102 Fundamental Spanish (10)
OR Spanish 105 Intensive Review of Fundamental Spanish (5)
Spanish 203 Intermediate Spanish A (3)
OR Spanish 201 Spanish for Spanish Speakers A (3)
Spanish 204 Intermediate Spanish B (3)
OR Spanish 202 Spanish for Spanish Speakers B (3)
Spanish 213 Intermediate Conversation* (3)
Spanish 214 Intermediate Composition (3)

Upper-Division Requirements (36 units)
I. Upper-Division Writing (3 units required)
Foreign Language 301 Writing in an Intercultural Context (3)
II. Language (6 units required)
Spanish 301 Advanced Grammar and Composition (3)
Spanish 400 Advanced Writing (3)
III. Culture (6 units required)
Spanish 315 Introduction to Spanish Civilization (3)
Spanish 316 Introduction to Spanish-American Civilization (3)
IV. Literature (9 units required)
Spanish 375 Introduction to Literary Forms (3)
Spanish 430 Spanish Literature to Neoclassicism (3)
OR Spanish 461 Spanish Literature Since Neoclassicism (3)
Spanish 440 Spanish-American Literature to Modernismo (3)
OR Spanish 441 Spanish-American Literature Since Modernismo (3)
V. Linguistics (6 units required)
Spanish 466 Spanish Phonology and Dialectology (3)
Spanish 467 Spanish Morphology and Syntax (3)
VI. Seminar (3 units required)
Spanish 475T Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature (3)
OR Spanish 485T Topics in Spanish American Literature (3)
VII. Elective (3 units required)
Spanish 415, 416, 468 and any of above not already taken, chosen in consultation with an adviser; 475T and 485T may be repeated with a different topic. Spanish 300*, 310 and 311 not applicable.

Minor in Spanish

Basic Requirements (17-22 units)
Each of the following courses or their equivalent:
Spanish 101/102 Fundamental Spanish (10)
OR Spanish 105 Intensive Review of Fundamental Spanish (5)
Spanish 203 Intermediate Spanish A (3)
OR Spanish 201 Spanish for Spanish Speakers A (3)
Spanish 204 Intermediate Spanish B (3)
OR Spanish 202 Spanish for Spanish Speakers B (3)
Spanish 213 Intermediate Conversation* (3)
Spanish 214 Intermediate Composition (3)

Upper-Division Requirements (12 units)
Six units required from the following:
Spanish 301 Advanced Grammar and Composition (3)
Spanish 315 Introduction to Spanish Civilization (3)
OR Spanish 316 Introduction to Spanish American Civilization (3)
In consultation with an adviser, choose two additional upper-division courses from the following:
Spanish 315 Introduction to Spanish Civilization (3)
Spanish 316 Introduction to Spanish American Civilization (3)
Spanish 375 Introduction to Literary Forms (3)
Spanish 400 Advanced Writing (3)
Spanish 415 Contemporary Spanish Culture (3)
Spanish 416 Contemporary Spanish American Culture (3)
Spanish 430 Spanish Literature to Neoclassicism (3)
Spanish 440 Spanish-American Literature to Modernismo (3)
Spanish 441 Spanish-American Literature Since Modernismo (3)
Spanish 466 Spanish Phonology and Dialectology (3)
Spanish 467 Spanish Morphology and Syntax (3)
Spanish 468 Spanish-English Bilingualism and Language Contact (3)
Spanish 475T Senior Seminar: Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature (3)
Spanish 485T Senior Seminar: Topics in Spanish-American Literature (3)

*Spanish 213 not open to native speakers