Spanish Major

Spanish

The major in Spanish is based on the concept that language is a social practice. It emphasizes the use of language to explore interdisciplinary content, affirms the intrinsic relationship between language and culture, and stresses the participation of three different tracks: one focuses on literature; the second focuses on the interplay between language and culture; and the third incorporates an additional area of study, for example, environmental or urban studies, health, education, art, gender, and feminist studies, or media.

Pitzer Adviser: J. Aristizábal, F. Catan

Major Requirements

The major in Spanish requires Spanish language proficiency at the intermediate level upon entry into the major and at the advanced or superior level upon completion (ACTFL standards), an immersion experience in at least one Spanish-speaking community abroad or within the United States, as determined with the advisor, and the completion of a minimum of 9 required courses.

AP Credit: One-half course will be given for a score of 4 on the AP exam and a course credit will be given for a score of 5. AP courses cannot be counted toward major requirements.

Required Courses

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.

Eight of the required courses within the chosen 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 Practcm  

Students who are native speakers are strongly recommended to take at least one of the Spanish for bilingual courses offered (SPAN 050 PZ  , for example), which counts toward the major requirements.

 Track One: Spanish Language and Literature

• One theory of language course or equivalent, for example: LGCS 010 PZ -Introduction to Linguistics  
• One course on literary analysis or equivalent, for example: SPAN 101 SC -Introduction Literary Analysis  
• One course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s area of literary focus.
• Six courses with a focus on the literature of either Spain or Latin America, or a comparative transatlantic study.
• SPAN 199 PZ -Senior Research Project Seminar , a capstone senior research project.

 Track Two: Spanish Language and Cultures

• One course as a theoretical foundation for understanding culture, for example ANTH 002 PZ -Intro Sociocultural Anthropology , SOC 001 PZ -Introduction to Sociology  
• One course that connects language and society, for example LGCS 112 PZ -Language and Society , LGCS 115 PZ -Bilingualism , ANTH 003 PZ -Language, Culture & Society  .
• One foundations course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s area of focus, for example, SPAN 102 CM -Intro Lat-Am Cultural Studies  , HIST 011 PZ -The World Since 1492  , HIST 032 CH -Latin America Since Independence  
• Six courses focused on the study of one or two Spanish speaking cultures.
• SPAN 199 PZ -Senior Research Project Seminar , a capstone senior research project.

Track Three: Interdisciplinary Studies in Spanish

This option required 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.

• One course as a theoretical foundation for understanding culture, for example ANTH 002 PZ -Intro Sociocultural Anthropology  , SOC 001 PZ -Introduction to Sociology  
• One introductory course in the emphasis area.
• One course that provides a sociocultural or historical background for the student’s emphasis area.
• Four elective upper division courses in Spanish.
• Two courses in the emphasis that are taught in Spanish.
• SPAN 199 PZ -Senior Research Project Seminar  , a capstone senior research project.

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.