Spanish & Latin American Studies
Requirements
SPANISH
Major Requirements
Students may fulfill a major by specializing in Latin American and Spanish Literature. The chosen program of study is to be discussed and planned with the Spanish Department at the time of the declaration of the major. All courses must be conducted in Spanish. A semester abroad is highly recommended for all majors at a time discussed with the advisor.
A major in Spanish includes:
· Nine courses conducted in Spanish, beginning with Analysis of Latin American Literary Texts, and including Latin American Civilization in the Arts, Spanish Civilization Past and Present,
· Six additional courses equally distributed between Latin American literature and Spanish literature and
· A Senior Thesis
A minimum grade of C is required for all courses.
Departmental Honors in Spanish
Students must demonstrate proficiency in the Spanish language and outstanding work in the courses they have taken in the Spanish Department. A B+ average in their major work is required. The originality and research abilities that the student demonstrates in the Senior Thesis will be considered when honors are granted.
Senior Thesis
All majors must complete a Senior Thesis, for which they usually register in the fall of the senior year.
Minor Requirements
All students who wish to minor in Spanish must register with the Department. A minor consists of four courses conducted in Spanish, beginning at the SPN 2000 level, to be determined in consultation with the Department.
Study Abroad
Students with at least a B average are encouraged to apply for study in Spain and/or Latin America. Manhattanville Coop programs exist in Madrid and Seville; at Sacred Heart University, San Juan (Puerto Rico); in TEC Monterrey (Mexico), Cuernavaca Campus (Mexico); at UNIBE, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic); or any other high academic quality program in a Spanish-speaking country. Prior approval of the Spanish Department is required. No more than half of the courses for the major, and half of the courses for the minor may be taken in a foreign country. Students who are interested in study abroad should consult with the Chairperson of the Spanish Department and the Study Broad Advisor.
Honors Program in Spanish
To qualify for the department honors program, a major must have at least an overall B average and a B+ major average. All requirements for the major must be completed as well as an honors essay of 25-40 pages. The essay is based on research pursued as an independent study, under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department.
The Spanish Consulate Prize “Mercedes de Arango”
The Spanish Consulate traditionally donates a prize to the Spanish Department to be awarded to a student at the Honors Convocation. This prize was named in honor of Mercedes de Arango, emeritus professor, founder of the Spanish Department at Manhattanville College.
Admission to Courses beyond Intermediate Spanish:
Students who have completed Intermediate Spanish I and Intermediate Spanish II must take Advanced Spanish Grammar Review as preparation for upper-level courses. Students who take Intermediate Spanish I must also take Intermediate II as preparation for Advanced Spanish Grammar Review.
LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
Minor Requirements
Although a major is not offered, students may take a minor in Latin American Studies. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses.
For the minor, students must complete five courses, three required and two electives.
Required courses:
· POS 2058: Latin American Politics (English)
· SPN 2032: Analysis of Latin American Literary Texts (English/Spanish)
· SPN 3016: Latin American Civilization in the Arts (English/Spanish)
Electives:
Two elective courses are selected from among those approved by the Latin American Studies Faculty Committee and discussed with the advisor.
Additionally, students choosing Latin American Studies as a minor must demonstrate Spanish language competency at the introductory level, e.g., language competency equivalent to the completion of two semesters of Spanish for Beginners (SPN 1005 and 1008).
For Spanish speakers, a course in composition or conversation such as SPN 2001, SPN 2009, SPN 2012, SPN 3044 is advised.