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Spanish

In view of the widespread use of Spanish in the United States and around the world, and considering the increasing economic and cultural relations between Spain, Latin America and the USA, the Spanish Department offers a wide range of courses that introduce students to the language, culture, and literature of Spanish-speaking countries. The Department allows students to develop programs according to their needs and goals, including language for general purposes, a concentration in literature, and teaching Spanish as a second language. Teacher certification is also available. All course placements are to be discussed with the advisor.

Faculty and Professional Interests

George Castellanos — Latin American Literature, Latin American Writers in English and Spanish Language Education

María José Luján — Peninsular Literature, Spanish Language and Spanish and Latin American Literature & Film

Adjunct Faculty

Maria Ruth Ardila — Language

Gustavo Barbosa — Language

Rosa Angela Bueno — Language

July Dolphin — Language

Alfred Liotta — Language

Lourdes Ravelo — Language

Carolina Rodríguez — Language

Ana Sabater — Language

Deborah Symons — Language

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.

The major in Spanish is comprised of eleven courses plus a senior evaluation. Courses are divided into two distinct sequences. Sequence I is for non-native Spanish speakers. Sequence II is for native Spanish speakers.

SEQUENCE I (for nonnative speakers)

Required Courses:

Elective Courses:

• Select 3 courses in Spanish Literature
• Select 3 courses in Latin American Literature

Senior Evaluation:

SPN 3998: For graduating seniors only. A thesis, written in Spanish, is required on a cultural or literary topic approved by the Spanish Department.

SEQUENCE II (for native speakers)

Required Courses:

Elective Courses:

• Select 3 courses in Spanish Literature
• Select 3 courses in Latin American Literature

Spanish Senior Evaluation:

SPN 3998: For graduating seniors only. A thesis, written in Spanish, is required on a cultural or literary topic approved by the Spanish Department. A minimum grade of C is required for all courses.

Spanish Departmental Honors

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.

Spanish Senior Thesis

All majors must complete a Senior Thesis, for which they usually register in the fall of the senior year.

Spanish Minor Requirements

All students who wish to minor in Spanish must register with the Department. For the minor in Spanish students are required to take SPN 2023 or SPN 3044: Advanced Spanish Conversation or SPN 2012: Written Contemporary Spanish and a minimum of four elective courses conducted in Spanish beginning at the SPN 2000 level, to be determined in consultation with the Department.

Spanish 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.

Spanish Honors Program

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 2540 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 upperlevel courses. Students who take Intermediate Spanish I must also take Intermediate II as preparation for Advanced Spanish Grammar Review.

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