Major and Minor Requirements

Department of Spanish -- Bucknell University

The Major

The major in Spanish is designed to cultivate our students' understanding, respect, and appreciation of the rich literary and cultural traditions of Spanish-speaking peoples; to provide a sound foundation for graduate study related to the Hispanic worlds; and to develop our students' ability to analyze literary and cultural works in Spanish. Through their coursework in the major, students are introduced to the discipline of Hispanic letters, and also explore connections between Spanish and other disciplines in the humanities or in the social sciences. The on-campus curriculum, combined with a semester or year of study abroad on a program approved by the Spanish department, will enable students to reach an advanced level of proficiency in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish.

A major in Spanish requires at least eight credits above Intermediate Spanish I (SPAN 103). Four of these credits, or courses, must be taken at Bucknell.

The following three courses count toward the major in Spanish:

Intermediate Spanish II (105)*
Spanish Grammar, Conversation, Composition (207)*
Advanced Conversation and Composition (208)

* Most first-year students who decide to major in Spanish place into one of these two courses. Regardless of placement, eight courses beyond SPAN 103 are required for the major.

Spanish majors must take at least one course from each of the following 200-level courses:

Introduction to Spanish Literature (SPAN 220), Introduction to Spanish-American Literature (Spanish 222), or Latino/Latina Literature (285)
Spanish Culture and Civilization (SPAN 270) or Spanish-American Culture (Span 280)

A course in literature or civilization to be selected from Spanish department offerings (220, 222, 270, 280, 285, 295).

Courses taken during study abroad enhance and count toward the major in Spanish, transferring as 200-level courses provided that the Spanish Department has approved them. With department permission, one or more courses taken abroad may satisfy the requirements listed above.

Students must complete the major with at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level, taken at Bucknell. (See Catalog for a description of these courses.)

Honors

Students who fulfill the university requirements for the Honors Program are encouraged to speak with a faculty member in Spanish during the junior year to discuss the possibililty of doing an Honors thesis.

Teaching Certification

Students interested in becoming certified to teach Spanish should consult with the Spanish Department Chairperson and the Education Department in their first or early their second year at Bucknell.

The Minor

The minor in Spanish consists of five courses beyond Intermediate Spanish I. At least two courses must deal with literature or culture at the 200-level and at least three of the courses must be taken at Bucknell.