Spanish

Choose one of three Spanish tracks: Spanish Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Cultures, or Interdisciplinary Studies in Spanish.  

What You Will Learn

• How to participate with confidence in a community of speakers of the language.
• How to understand and identify differences in socio-cultural contexts and their social implications.
• How to explain the importance of appreciating the complexity of the human experience across cultures.
• Citizenship skills and increased self-awareness and personal growth. 
• How to examine the rights and responsibilities shared by the interconnected members of a community.
• How to identify your own personal strengths, limits, goals, fears, or prejudices as they relate to interacting with members of a community of speakers.
• How to explain the connections between personal, interpersonal, community, and socio-political transformation.
• The value of knowing another language and understanding how to become a lifelong learner.
• The importance of extending the use of the language outside university boundaries to develop personal relationships and explore new social spaces.

Students who are Spanish heritage speakers are strongly recommended encouraged to take SPAN50-Spanish for Heritage Speakers, which counts toward the major and minor requirements.

Major Requirements

General requirements for the three tracks are:

1. Spanish language proficiency at the intermediate level upon entry to the major (end of the sophomore year) and at the advanced or superior level upon completion (ACTFL standards).
2. An immersion experience in at least one Spanish-speaking community abroad or within the United States, as determined with the adviser.
3. Eight of the required courses within each track should be taught in Spanish and be above SPAN 044 PZ . With the adviser’s consent these eight may include cross-listed courses with Spanish or other courses numbered below SPAN 044 PZ, such as SPAN 031 PZ – Community–Based Spanish Practicum.
4. In addition, each student will complete the requirements for one of the following tracks (at least 9 to 10 courses). Courses listed below are sample options. Course selection should be made in consultation with the major faculty adviser.

 Track One: Spanish Language and Literature

1. One theory of language course or an equivalent, for example: LGCS 010 PZ.
2. One course on literary analysis or an equivalent, for example: SPAN 101 SC.
3. One course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s area of literary focus.
4. Six courses with a focus on the literature of either Spain or Latin America, or a comparative transatlantic study.
5. SPAN 199 PZ, a capstone senior research project.

 Track Two: Spanish Language and Cultures

1. One course as a theoretical foundation for understanding culture, for example: ANTH 002 PZ, SOC 001 PZ.
2. One course that connects language and society, for example: LGCS 112 PZ, LGCS 115 PZ, LGCS 116 PZ, ANTH 003 PZ, ANTH 117 PZ. 
3. One foundations course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s area of focus, for example: SPAN 102 CM, HIST 011 PZ, HIST 032 CH, HIST 100I CH.
4. Six courses focused on the study of one or two Spanish–speaking cultures.
5. SPAN 199 PZ, a capstone senior research project.

Track Three: Interdisciplinary Studies in Spanish

This option requires a second adviser in the additional area of study who is on either The Claremont Colleges or the study abroad site faculty and has the appropriate expertise.

1. One course as a theoretical foundation for understanding culture, for example: ANTH 002 PZ, SOC 001 PZ.
2. One introductory course in the emphasis area.
3. One course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s emphasis area.
4. Four elective upper–division courses in Spanish.
5. Two courses in the emphasis that are taught in Spanish.
6. SPAN 199 PZ, a capstone senior research project.

Honors

Students whose general academic work and senior research are judged as excellent will be considered for graduation with honors in Spanish.

Sigma Delta Pi

Pitzer College is a member of The Claremont Colleges chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society. Juniors and seniors are elected to membership on the basis of academic standing and regulations for eligibility established by the chapter and the national society. Information may be obtained from Professor Ethel Jorge.

Students may consider a combined major with Spanish; it requires a minimum of six courses in Spanish.

• The minor in Spanish requires successful completion of six graded courses in Spanish, five of them above SPAN 033 PZ. 
• The sixth course will be in a language immersion setting (community-based Spanish, internship, study abroad, or other). 
• The student will tailor the minor with the adviser and develop a brief written rationale of goals. 
• Two of the courses should be taken in the Northern Colleges (Pitzer, CMC, Scripps); exceptions require written approval.