The Spanish section of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers a wide range of courses in the language and literatures of Spain and Latin America.

Students can enroll in courses from Spanish Elements through Curso de Perfeccionamiento, with many in between. The section offers technical courses such as Spanish for International Commerce, Medical Spanish, Spanish for International Relations, Spanish for Engineering and Spanish for Public Health, as well as Spanish Translation for the Professions. The department also supports internship opportunities, giving students credit for work done outside of the university through the Community Based Learning – Spanish Language Practicum course.

As students progress in the program, they can choose from several courses in Spanish and Latin American culture. Courses on Spanish drama or cinema are offered, as well as courses on different regions and cultures of Latin America. The section’s literature classes encompass pre-colonial and colonial through contemporary Latin American literature. Students can also take courses on Renaissance, Baroque, and modern peninsular literature.

Students are encouraged to study abroad. Undergraduate students must obtain approval for their program abroad prior to departing Baltimore. Graduate students should work closely with their adviser to determine the best plan for their research abroad.

Learning Goals

Concepts: Upon completion of the Spanish major, students will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes at the ACTFL advanced high or above level of communication

1. Describe literary and cultural texts and interpret historical, political and social contexts and the perspectives such texts represent.
2. Identify features, such as effects, meanings, and functions of literary and cultural texts.
3. Illustrate major literary and cultural figures, movements, and periods in the Spanish-speaking worlds.
4. Discuss texts from myriad of contexts and define ramifications for economics, history, society, politics, aesthetics, and other factors influencing the production of texts.
5. Describe professional contexts in Hispanic countries and compare them with their own.

Skills: Upon completion of the Spanish major, students will be able to achieve the following learning outcomes at the ACTFL advanced high or above level of communication

1. Compare and judge analytical arguments, evaluate assumptions, question logic in interpretive claims.
2. Examine Spanish literary and cultural topics, using and questioning a combination of textual evidence, bibliographical research, and relevant secondary literature.
3. Differentiate kinds of texts, e.g., literature, poetry, film, drama and distinguish appropriate analytical approaches to each.
4. Distinguish connections among cultural figures while debating authorship, periodization, and conventional analyses of literature and culture.
5. Perform different professional tasks in a work environment situation.