Spanish studies involve language, literature, cultural history, and linguistics as applied to Spain, Spanish America, and Latino communities in the United States. The field combines the humanities and the social sciences to give the student an understanding of the diverse aspects of Hispanic culture.
Because so many facets of North American life-business, industry, commerce, communications media, the arts, science, and technology-have become truly international in scope, many career opportunities exist for persons with language skills and knowledge of other cultures. A student majoring in Spanish could begin preparation for a career in any of these fields as well as in teaching. A student minoring in Spanish could combine such studies with plans for governmental service, international business, the health professions, or a major in another language and literature.
The Department offers a major program leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish language and literature and a minor in Spanish. Students wishing to major in Spanish should consult with a Departmental advisor to choose individual programs.
Placement
Entering students who wish to continue the study of Spanish started in high school should consult a departmental advisor to help them choose the appropriate course.
Requirements for the Major in Spanish Language and Literature (SPN)
The major in Spanish Language and Literature leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. All courses offered for the major must be taken for a letter grade (except that S is acceptable for SPN 211, SPN 212, and SPN 310/SPN 311 completed through Challenge examinations). All courses in Spanish must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.
Completion of the major requires 33-42 credits, depending on language placement. See https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/llrc/placement_challenge_exams/challenge_exam.html for placement exam information. A double major requires 30-36 credits. (See notes 1 and 2, below).
Required Courses:
A. Intermediate Spanish Language Courses:
There are several ways to satisfy this requirement. Please choose one of the four options listed below depending on your proficiency and/or interests:
B. Required Advanced Courses:
C. Elective Advanced Courses in Hispanic Linguistics, Literature, and Culture:
D. Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Notes:
1. Students with enough language proficiency to satisfy requirement A will complete a total of 36 credits. Students who need to take SPN 211 and SPN 212 or SPN 214 and SPN 215 will complete a total of 42 credits. Students with Spanish-speaking background can begin the major by taking SPN 213 or SPN 310 , depending on their Spanish written proficiency.
2. The Department requires transfer students to take at least 18 credits of Spanish courses in residence at Stony Brook to complete a Spanish major.
3. Students of Spanish-speaking background may take the Challenge examination for SPN 310/311.
The Honors Program in Spanish
To be awarded honors, a Department major must
1) maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 and a grade point average of at least 3.50 in Spanish courses taken for the major; and
2) write a senior thesis judged worthy of honors. Students eligible to write a senior thesis must find a member of the Department faculty to act as a thesis advisor and enroll in
SPN 495. The thesis topic must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies, the chairperson, and the thesis advisor. The thesis is evaluated by the thesis advisor, another member of the Spanish faculty, and a third reader from outside the Department. Application to the honors program must be made during Prime Time the semester prior to registering for the program.
Spanish Secondary Teacher Education Program
See the Education and Teacher Certification entry in the alphabetical listings of Approved Majors, Minors, and Programs.
Requirements for the Minor in Spanish Language and Literature (SPN)
All courses in Spanish offered to fulfill minor requirements must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. At least nine credits of upper-division Spanish courses must be earned at Stony Brook to complete the minor.
Completion of the minor requires 18-24 credits, depending on language placement (see note 1 below).
A. Intermediate Spanish Language Courses:
There are several ways to satisfy this requirement. Please choose one of the four options listed below depending on your proficiency and/or interests:
B. Required Advanced Courses (9 credits):
C. Elective Advanced Courses (9 credits):
Notes:
Study Abroad
Language majors and other interested students who would like to spend a semester or a year studying abroad should consult the director of undergraduate studies prior to going abroad.
FRESHMAN |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
First Year Seminar 101 | 1 |
WRT 101 | 3 |
SPN 211 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Total | 16 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
First Year Seminar 102 | 1 |
WRT 102 | 3 |
SPN 212 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 16 |
SOPHOMORE |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
SPN 311 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
SPN 312 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective
|
3 |
Total | 15 |
JUNIOR |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
Upper-division elective | 3 |
SPN upper-division elective | 3 |
SPN 321 | 3 |
SPN 391 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
SPN 393 | 3 |
SPN 395 | 3 |
SPN 396 | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SENIOR |
---|
FALL | Credits |
---|---|
SPN 400-level elective | 3 |
SPN 400-level elective | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 15 |
SPRING | Credits |
---|---|
SPN 400-level elective | 3 |
Upper-division SBC | 3 |
Upper-division SBC | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 |
Total | 15 |
Major and Minor in Spanish Language and Literature
Department of Hispanic Languages and Literature, College of Arts and Sciences
Chair: Kathleen Vernon
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Joseph Pierce
Office:
1055 Humanities Building
Phone: (631) 632-6935
Website: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/hispanic/
Minor of particular interest to students majoring in Spanish: Latin American and Caribbean studies (LAC)