Language & Cultural Studies
Description
The Language and Cultural Studies program offers a minor within the College of Arts and Sciences as well as language courses in Spanish and French. Fluency in another language and experiencing the culture of its speakers are skills that help to cement a liberal education that is truly global in breadth and hands-on in practice. As such, the program provides students with the ability to communicate in a new language while also exploring the individual and collective values of the communities that speak it. The program encourages an appreciation for and experiences of the artistic expressions of the cultures addressed and requires students to contemplate the interdependent nature of the world, considering the complexity and richness of diverse cultures while developing their language skills.
The minor requirements are thus interdisciplinary, integrating the core linguistic and socio-cultural matters pertinent to languages. In addition to course work, students are encouraged to participate in full immersion language experiences through study abroad programs or Spanish-speaking internships.
Minor Requirements
The minor in Language & Cultural Studies requires 18 credit hours, and students choose one of two options: the two-language option or the social sciences and humanities option. Both tracks require students to have either successfully completed or placed out of SPAN 202 Spanish for Professional CommunicationDevelops basic effective communication with Spanish-speaking co-workers, clients, students, their parents and others who don't master the English language. Specific professional focuses of the course will vary according to students' needs. Class materials centers on simulated communication situations to build listening and oral comprehension through simple and clear linguistic structures. Generates a useful communication style generated from cross cultural understanding to be acquired from readings and class discussions. Formerly SPA 202 Intermediate Spanish II. before beginning the courses in the minor. (Please see the Inderdisciplinary and Supporting Courses page in this Catalog for further information about placement in lagnuage courses.)
SPAN 491 InternshipProvides students with the opportunity to perform an internship to apply the academic knowledge they have learned in the classroom. Formerly SPA 488 Internship. is not required for the minor but is strongly recommended.
Two Languages (18 credits)
- FREN 201 Intermediate French IReviews and develops aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: FREN 102 or placement
- FREN 202 Intermediate French IIDevelops and emphasizes conversational skills. Structural practice, spontaneous exchanges, role playing, prepared presentations.
- FREN 497 Directed Readings in FrenchAllows students to construct an individualized course of study on a topic of special interest, under the direction of a faculty member. Readings are in the French language.
1 -4 credits
Prerequisites: FREN 201 and above or Permission of Instructor
This course will meet the INAF requirement of intermediate-level competency in French.
- SPAN 301 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native SpeakersDesigned for Spanish speakers whose dominant language is English, this course draws from the students' linguistic background in both languages in order to teach them to write effectively in Spanish. Activities include news reporting, book reviews, essays, and business and formal letters. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required. Grammar explanations including accentuation, orthography, verb tenses and uses of the subjunctive mood will be used in relation with vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to enhance language development. Readings based on the cultural life and experience of Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
3 credits
Prereq: Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish
- SPAN 302 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native Speakers IIServes as a continuation of SPAN 301, expanding and refining many of the grammar explanations and raising the writing activities to a higher level of proficiency and sophistication. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
- SPAN 499 Senior SeminarProvides majors with a capstone to synthesize their course of study. Formerly SPA 499 Senior Seminar.
Recommended: Additional courses in history and culture from Africana Studies, Global Affairs, and Humanities, such as GLBL 250 Human Geography SeminarIntroduces world human geography with a partial emphasis on a particular region, such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America. Includes such concepts as the relationship between humans and the environment; gender; population; urbanization; globalization; and development.
3 credits Human Geography (Latin American or Africa)
Social Science and Humanities (18 credits)
- SPAN 213 Latina VoicesFosters awareness and understanding among women of the Americas, their different cultures and traditions as told through their own stories. Students will also reach a better understanding of the ethnic and racial diversity that characterizes the whole American continent including the United States, thus becoming more able to participate in a multicultural environment, both in the labor force and in their personal lives. Readings and discussions will be in English. Native speakers of Spanish may choose to do written assignments in Spanish. Formerly SPA 210 Latina Voices.
3 credits
FLC II
General Education Requirements: Knowledge and Inquiry or ENGL 271 Literature of the African DiasporaIntroduces students to the study of literature written by authors of African descent in Europe and the Americas and explores the development of an international and multicultural consciousness with Africa and the Diaspora as its referents. Formerly ENG 204 Literature of the African Diaspora.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Requirement: Knowledge and Inquiry
- SPAN 301 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native SpeakersDesigned for Spanish speakers whose dominant language is English, this course draws from the students' linguistic background in both languages in order to teach them to write effectively in Spanish. Activities include news reporting, book reviews, essays, and business and formal letters. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required. Grammar explanations including accentuation, orthography, verb tenses and uses of the subjunctive mood will be used in relation with vocabulary and idiomatic expressions to enhance language development. Readings based on the cultural life and experience of Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
3 credits
Prereq: Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish
- SPAN 302 Reading and Writing for Advanced or Native Speakers IIServes as a continuation of SPAN 301, expanding and refining many of the grammar explanations and raising the writing activities to a higher level of proficiency and sophistication. Students may suggest their own topics of interest to be used in three out of the six papers required Formerly SPA 401 Advanced Composition.
- GLBL 250 Human Geography SeminarIntroduces world human geography with a partial emphasis on a particular region, such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or Latin America. Includes such concepts as the relationship between humans and the environment; gender; population; urbanization; globalization; and development.
3 credits (Latin America or Africa)
- Any two additional courses in history and culture from Africana Studies, Global Affairs, Humanities, Political Science or Spanish
Program Policies
Advanced Placement: AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the minor.
CLEP Policy: CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the minor.
Grades in Minor Courses: Students must receive a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in courses taken to fulfill minor requirements.
Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling the minor requirements may not be taken Pass/No Pass.
TELL Policy: Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty before preparing a portfolio.
Transfer Credits: Up to 9 hours of transfer credit will be accepted towards the minor, pending faculty review and approval. A minimum of 9 credits must be taken at Trinity in order to meet the requirements for the minor.