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Spanish and Hispanic Studies

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type:
B.A.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Ancient & Modern Languages & Cultures

Nearly 500 million people around the world are native Spanish speakers — and it’s the second most-spoken language in the United States.

Wherever your career takes you, there’s a good chance proficiency in Spanish will benefit you. The ability to communicate effectively with diverse customers, colleagues, patients, supervisors, and students is incredibly valuable in today’s global marketplace. But studying Spanish is more than speaking another language. It’s also about understanding other perspectives and meeting challenges and people where they are.

The Spanish and Hispanic Studies major at 麻豆社 will give you language proficiency and boost your knowledge of Spanish and Latin American cultures.

Cultural Experiences

Immersive service trips. Semester-long study abroad. Experiential learning in the classroom and around the city. At JCU, you’ll have a chance to practice your language skills, experience cultures, and explore cities and landmarks in places like Peru, El Salvador, Honduras, and Madrid.

Student Involvement

One of many cultural student groups at JCU, the Latin American Student Association hosts annual events like the Latinx Heritage Month celebration and the Viva La Noche dance — plus outings and activities throughout the year.

  • Cultural Experiences

    Immersive service trips. Semester-long study abroad. Experiential learning in the classroom and around the city. At JCU, you’ll have a chance to practice your language skills, experience cultures, and explore cities and landmarks in places like Peru, El Salvador, Honduras, and Madrid.

  • Student Involvement

    One of many cultural student groups at JCU, the Latin American Student Association hosts annual events like the Latinx Heritage Month celebration and the Viva La Noche dance — plus outings and activities throughout the year.

Program Overview & Outcomes

A degree in Spanish and Hispanic Studies from John Carroll will prepare you for careers in today’s diverse and global marketplace. It’s also an ideal second major for students studying business, political science, foreign affairs, or those who are pursuing law and medical school.

Spanish and Hispanic Studies majors will learn to:

  • Communicate skillfully and effectively in Spanish
  • Interpret features of the culture of the Spanish-speaking world (such as art, literature, and customs) in the context of its history, politics, religion, or geography
  • Demonstrate emerging intercultural competence
  • Understand and apply current best practices in teaching world languages (for Teaching Spanish concentration)

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

The Spanish and Hispanic Studies major is incredibly flexible. You’ll take a variety of classes taught in Spanish, covering topics from migrant voices in literature and Hispanic culture through food. You’ll also have a chance to choose relevant electives from other disciplines, such as history and political science.

  • Professional Development

    Sp4900

    SP4900

    Research project chosen in consultation with student’s advisor in Spanish. The experience should reflect both the student’s interest in Spanish and the courses they have taken to fulfill the major. Students will produce a written thesis in Spanish and also give an oral presentation in Spanish. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

    Cas Professional Development

    0 Credits

    CE2001

    A series of online modules, workshops, and career-related experiences to practice, polish, and perfect professional skills necessary in securing internships, research experiences, entry into graduate and professional schools, and post-graduation jobs.

  • History and Culture

    "ISJ: HISTORY OF THE CARIBBEAN"

    3 Credits

    HS1467

    Examines the evolving contest for power in the Caribbean Basin. Conquest of the Caribbean basin by the colonial European powers, hierarchies of race and class, resistance to colonial masters, dismantling of major European New World empires by piracy, slave rebellion, and other insurgencies. Formerly: HS 267.Equivalent to: HS 267.

    "HUM: COLONIAL LATIN AMERICA: NATIVES

    3 Credits

    HS1473

    Colonial period in Latin America (to 1810). Focuses on the impact of the European conquest over the native groups, the effects of conversion to Catholicism, and subsequent changes in gender roles.Formerly: HS 273.Equivalent to: HS 273.

    "HUM: MODERN LATIN AMERICA: DICTATORS AND REVOLUTIONARIES"

    3 Credits

    HS1474

    "HUM: MODERN LATIN AMERICA: DICTATORS AND REVOLUTIONARIES"

    "ISJ: LATIN AMERICAN MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS: GLOBALIZATION

    3 Credits

    HS1475

    Introduction to military-run regimes in Latin America as a way to understand the global influences at work in the area. The impact of dictatorships on human rights, as well as of the multi-layered responses by civil societies to cope with state-run terrorism. Impact of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. Formerly: HS 275.Equivalent to: HS 275.

    "EGC: THE SPANISH ARMADA"

    3 Credits

    HS2216

    Early modern European political and cultural world as seen through the lens of the clash between Spain and England in the later sixteenth century. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.

    "LINK: LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE"

    3 Credits

    HS2471

    Surveys the main topics of Latin American history down to the present, emphasizing native peoples, gender roles, military dictatorships, and human rights. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: PO 2210.

    "LINK: HISTORY OF MEXICO"

    3 Credits

    HS2473

    This class provides an overview of Mexican history from pre-Columbian times to the present. It traces the historical processes by which social, economic, religious, and ideological conflicts have shaped Mexican society in a context of continuous, unresolved social problems. In this sense, Mexican history is analyzed as a continuum history of exclusion. Offered: Every other Spring. Prerequisite: EN1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: SC2571.

    "LINK: MASTERS AND UNDERDOGS LATIN AMERICA"

    3 Credits

    HS2476

    Explores the power dynamics that have shaped Latin American history since 1492. Special attention is given to the interplay between powerful and subordinated groups and the ways in which they have influenced one another. The course draws on films as cultural artifacts, as well as written texts, to understand the reciprocal relationships between different status groups. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: EN 2665.

    "LINK: THE EMPIRE OF PAPER: THE SPANISH COLONIAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH LITERARY SOURCES"

    3 Credits

    HS2477

    Explores Spanish colonialism (1500-1800) in Latin America and Asia using literary texts as primary sources. Discusses issues of (self) representation, dominance, hegemony, and the construction of identity/ethnicity. This is a l inked course. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: EN 2655.

    "EGC: CUBA: PAST AND PRESENT"

    3 Credits

    HS2478

    Exploration of Cuba’s history from pre-Columbian times to the present, with an emphasis on connections to global systems. Particular focus on the reciprocal influences that international actors and domestic politics have had on Cuban society and economy; close investigation of Cuba’s influence on U.S. politics and imagination since the Spanish-American War and especially since the revolution of the late 1950s. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Cross-Listed with PO2270.

    "HUM: RACE AND GENDER IN LATIN AMERICA"

    3 Credits

    HS3472

    Considers the role of women (European, black, and Indian) and different ethnic groups (whites, Indians, and peoples of African descent) in the making of Latin American history. Special attention is paid to the socially-based construction of ethnicity.

    "EGC: WOMEN IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE AMERICAS"

    3 Credits

    HS3473

    Explores the role that Catholicism and the Catholic Church played in shaping women’s roles in colonial Latin America (1500-1800). Examines lives of famous female saints and sinners, as well as women intellectuals who found an ambiguous role in nunneries. Demonstrates the influence of Catholicism in constructing gender norms that defined orthodoxy and deviance for women in their social and spiritual experiences. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.

  • Intercultural Studies

    Capa: Latin Dance Appreciation

    IC1130

    Intercultural Competence

    IC2050

    Introduces students to the multidisciplinary field of intercultural competence through an exploration of theories, completion of the intercultural development inventory, a review of case studies, participation in experiential learning, and reflecting on one’s own cultural identity. Offered in spring.

    Ic3010

    IC3010

    Exploration of basic linguistics, methods of teaching world languages, and professional standards for teaching world languages. Learners design, teach, and reflect on materials appropriate for the world-language classroom. Includes preparation for and reflection on a career as a future educator. Offered: Fall.

  • Language Skills

    Sp2210

    SP2210

    Development of communicative competence in Spanish through oral practice and use of conversational strategies and techniques. Prerequisite: SP 201 or SP 1030 or SP 250 or SP 2110 or SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent, or by placement test.

    Sp2220

    SP2220

    Development of writing ability in Spanish. Computer technology heavily utilized in the advanced development of different writing styles. Prerequisite: SP 201 or SP 1030 or SP 250 or SP 2110 or SP 301 or SP 2210 or equivalent or by placement test.

    Spanish In Review

    SP2110

    Intensive review of the four language skills in Spanish, with a particular emphasis on grammar to strengthen communicative competence in a cultural context. Ideal for students who need additional review before taking upper level (2200-4000) courses. Prerequisite: SP 201 or SP 1030 or equivalent or by placement test.

  • Social and Political Studies

    Po2210

    PO2210

    Integrates immersion experience with the realities of health care access in Latin America. Topics include the cycle of poverty in Latin American countries, the link between health care access and poverty, and the specific case of the rural Honduran health care system. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 (or equivalent). Corequisite: HS2471.

    Po2270

    PO2270

    Cuba has a unique history and political development that is distinct from much of Latin America and the Caribbean. It has gone through successive waves of settlement, experienced conquest, colonialism, incorporation into the capitalist economic system, and a political revolution. In this team-taught course we seek to explore Cuba’s historical development and provide a political science perspective for examining such diverse topics as regime type, governance, individual freedoms, and healthcare. Prerequisite: EN1250 or equivalent.

    Sc2590

    SC2590

    This team taught History and Sociology and Criminology course explores Cuba's history from pre-Columbian times to the present; with a focus on connections to global systems. Given Cuba's history of settlement, conquest, colonialism, incorporation into capitalism, and its political revolution this course will emphasize understanding of sociological constructions of race, gender, class, medical systems in Cuban society. This course should qualify as an Engaging the Global Community course. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.

    Sc3530

    SC3530

    Examination of social issues impacting Latina/o communities (Chicanas/os, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Central Americans) within the U.S., abroad, and in this emerging transnational space. Topics include ethnic movements, immigration, identity construction, borderlands, labor, education, gender, and language policies. Prerequisites: EN 125 or EN 1250 (or equivalent) and one SC course.

  • Spanish Literature

    Sp3510

    SP3510

    Taught in Spanish. Introduction to Hispanic cultural studies through critical readings and textual analysis (literature, film, music, art). Spanish and Latin American literature and culture through close critical readings of the principal literary forms (poetry, drama, and prose), as well as oral interpretations of texts. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3520

    SP3520

    Taught in Spanish. An overview of the major writers of Spain through short readings of different genres from the Middle Ages to the present. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3530

    SP3530

    Taught in Spanish. An overview of the major writers of Latin America through short readings of different genres from the 19th century to the present. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3540

    SP3540

    Sp3550

    SP3550

    Taught in Spanish. Major trends in the contemporary short story in Latin America. Authors may include Horacio Quiroga, Jorge Luis Borges, Juan Rulfo, Julio Cortázar, Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Fuentes, Rosario Castellanos, Rosario Ferré, and Isabel Allende. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3560

    SP3560

    Taught in Spanish. Representative works of contemporary Spanish drama. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3570

    SP3570

    Taught in Spanish. Representative works of contemporary Latin American drama. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3580

    SP3580

    Taught in Spanish. Combines textual analysis of Spanish and Latin American drama with acting and basic theatrical techniques. Exploration of the relationship between reader, spectator, and actor. Offered fall. Prerequisite: SP2220 or SP302 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3610

    SP3610

    Taught in Spanish. Study of cultural productions (literature, film and music) by and about Latin American (im)migrants. Includes a service-learning component. Prerequisite: SP 302 or SP 2220 or equivalent or instructor permission.

    Sp3620

    SP3620

    Sp3640

    SP3640

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Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

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Where Our Alumni Go

JCU Spanish and Hispanic Studies majors go on to careers in a wide range of fields including business, education, healthcare, and public service. They also pursue graduate and professional programs in law, medicine, and related fields.

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