Major Requirements

The student develops an understanding of the structure of the Spanish language and is able to use an appropriate level of formality according to the situation, whether in writing or in speech.

The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as either language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) related to the Spanish language and linguistics. These courses deal with: the sound system of Spanish, the history of Spanish, advanced grammar, Spanish-English translation, a general introduction to Spanish linguistics, Spanish for professional application (medical, legal, etc. spheres), composition and conversation.

The student develops a reasonable understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) — of Hispanic cultures.

There are two pathways by which this outcome can be fulfilled:

• Pathway 1: The student completes between two and six courses (depending on his or her choice of emphasis, as either in language and linguistics knowledge or literary and cultural knowledge) in Hispanic literature, culture or society. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology, geography, history, political systems), art history, music history, religion or other non-Spanish courses specific to Hispanic culture or society.
• Pathway 2: With prior approval and guidance from WLC faculty, the student may opt for a more individual pathway. He or she may choose to independently study, research and analyze four of the following areas as they are reflected in the civilization or national culture of the language chosen to study: architecture, dance, dress, fiction, healing processes, high art, issues of gender and racial equity, music, national history, poetry, political systems, popular art, religious beliefs, theatre.

In addition to the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures, the student demonstrates a general knowledge of a socio-cultural group other than a Hispanic one or mainstream American culture. The student develops a basic understanding of the ways of thinking (ideas, beliefs, attitudes, values, philosophies), the behavioral practices (patterns of social interactions) and the cultural products – both tangible and intangible (for example, art, history, literature, music) – of the second culture.

There are two pathways by which this outcome can be fulfilled:

• Pathway 1: The student completes at least one upper division course whose focus is a socio-cultural group not reflected by a Hispanic culture. General areas to choose from are: literature, the social sciences (anthropology, geography, history, political systems), art history, music history and/or the second cultural group. Examples include:
  • JAPN 305: Intro Japanese Clture/Civ
  • JAPN 310: Japanese Cinema
  • CHIN 305: History/Culture of China/Tibet
  • ITAL 305: Intro Italian Culture & Civili
  • JAPN 305: Intro Japanese Clture/Civ
  • JAPN 306: The Japanese Mind
  • JAPN 307: Japan-American Exper
  • JAPN 308: Japanese Pop-Culture
  • JAPN 309: Japanese Lit in Translation
  • JAPN 310: Japanese Cinema
  • JAPN 311: Social Issues In Japan
  • JAPN 405: Econ History Of Japan
  • JAPN 408: Business In Japan
  • KOR 395: Special Topics
  • HCOM 322: Asian American Literature
  • HCOM 324: African American Narratives
  • HCOM 326: Jewish Holocaust Literature
  • HCOM 346: African American Life/History
  • LS 362: Immigrants & Equity Issues
  • SBS 365: Black/Civil/Rights:1954-1968
  • SBS 369: Ed for Leadership/Public Servi
  • SBS 381: US, Vietnam, Asia-Pacific
  • SBS 382: History of Modern Africa
  • SBS 383: African Civilizations
• Pathway 2: The student may opt for a more individual pathway, choosing to independently study, research and analyze the working components of the second culture.

The student demonstrates that he or she has been actively immersed in and has internalized Hispanic culture.

There are three pathways by which this outcome can be fulfilled:

1. Pathway 1: By participating in a study-abroad program in a Spanish-speaking country for at least one semester. WLC's Spanish program has exchange agreements with the University of Aguas Calientes and the University of Queretero in Mexico, and the University of Córdoba in Spain. In addition, through CSU International Programs, you can study at universities in Madrid or Granada, Spain or in Santiago, Chile.
2. Pathway 2: By living and working in a local heritage community over an extended period of time without interruption for at least two years.
3. Pathway 3: By participating in and/or completing 10 of the following cultural learning scenarios with accompanying documentation, in the target language:

• Participate in service learning within a local heritage community for a minimum of eight weeks beyond the actual service learning requirement.
• Make a minimum of three home-visits in the local heritage community to interact and communicate with members of the Hispanic culture regarding topics of personal interest, the community, culture and language.
• Attend or view via media a minimum of 10 cultural events and /or social activities of Hispanic culture.
• Actively participate and/or perform in a school or heritage community event or celebration.
• Participate in a heritage-community project (of some duration) that requires proficiency in Spanish and knowledge of Hispanic cultures.
• Conducting a one hour in-depth interview with a speaker of Spanish, eliciting, in a conversational manner, comments of a biographical nature, cultural and social observations and anecdotal reflections.
• View and comment on 10 movie-length films produced within and about Hispanic culture.
• Participate at least five times in organized sports or recreation activities of Hispanic culture.
• Demonstrate cultural skills by making hotel reservations, ordering meals and shopping in stores or markets in heritage settings where Spanish is spoken. This objective is assessed by faculty.