George Mason University

Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a Concentration in Spanish

• Comprehension and Critical Analysis
  Students will be able to comprehend and critically analyze a range of texts, materials, and cultural practices produced in the language of study towards the goal of writing an original research paper in the target language using at least one secondary source. This learning goal correlates with the following university learning goals: written communication, critical thinking, global understanding, synthesis, and Western civilization.
• Writing Skills in the Discipline
  Students will be able to write for a variety of specific purposes in the target language for multiple audiences. Writing genres include but are not limited to (self) portraits, descriptions, letters, creative fiction, academic papers, and ethnographies. This learning goal is associated with the university learning goal of written communication.
• Cultural Awareness
  Students will gain deep knowledge of the multiple histories and cultures of the target language and be able to critically reflect upon the construction of identity in these cultures. This learning goal is associated with the following university learning goals: critical thinking, global understanding, synthesis, and Western civilization.
• Critical Language Awareness
  Students will be able to understand social, political and ideological aspects of language, linguistic variation, and discourse.
• Critical Digital Skills for Multilingual Communication
  Students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate new technologies in the study of Spanish language linguistics, literature, and cultural studies, and apply their knowledge in order to effectively communicate in Spanish with their peers, their professors, and local and global communities.

The BA in foreign languages prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, work in government, security, non-profits, international business, and graduate study and research in languages.

Total credits: minimum 120

In addition to the other college and university requirements for a degree, provided in the tabs below, students pursuing this degree complete a 33-credit concentration.

Concentration in Spanish

With more than 400 million people speaking Spanish worldwide - nearly 40 million in the US - and the growing influence of Hispanic cultures around the globe, knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world has never been more important. The Spanish courses and degree programs provide students with the opportunity for language development and interdisciplinary study of the cultures, film, history, linguistics, and literature of the 20 Spanish-speaking countries, including the United States. Students can also receive Spanish credit through participation in study-abroad programs.

Students pursuing a concentration in Spanish must complete a minimum of 33 credits in Spanish courses at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Two courses taught in English (6 credits) may be applied toward the concentration, only one of which may be taught outside the department. FRLN topics courses and outside elective courses taught in English require pre-approval by the Spanish program coordinator.

Core Courses (Select one of the following options) 6

Option 1

• SPAN 305 Spanish in Context I
• SPAN 306 Spanish in Context II

Option 2

• SPAN 309 Intensive Spanish in Context

Option 3

• SPAN 315 Spanish in Context for Heritage Speakers
• One additional 300- or 400-level SPAN course

Additional Required Courses

• SPAN 370 Spanish Writing and Stylistics
• SPAN 385 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics
• SPAN 390 Introduction to Hispanic Literary Analysis

Spanish at the 400 Level

• Select four courses in Spanish at the 400 level

Electives

Select two courses from the following: 6

• SPAN 322 Introduction to Latin American Culture (Mason Core)
• SPAN 325 Major Hispanic Writers (Mason Core)
• SPAN 329 Special Topics in Spanish and Latin American Literature
• Other SPAN courses at the 300- or 400- level
• FRLN 385 Multilingualism, Identity, and Power (Mason Core)

FRLN topics courses with pre-approval of the Spanish Program Coordinator

Other relevant elective courses taught in English with pre-approval of Spanish Program Coordinator 1

1Prefixes for elective courses (with pre-approval) include ANTH, ARTH, ENGH, GGS, GOVT, HIST, RELI, and SOCI.