The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a major in
Spanish that, in addition to providing understanding of the
Spanish language and culture, gives a new perspective on the English language and American culture. The major also prepares students for graduate studies or for careers in teaching, government, business, industry and international organizations.
Spanish majors must spend their junior year in a Spanish-speaking country or live for two years in the Spanish House, a small residence on campus where Spanish is spoken. This residence is under the leadership of a young Spanish or Spanish-American woman.
Internships are available for qualified Spanish majors. Recent internship sites have included the Organization of American States (OAS), the Mexican Embassy, the National Association of Cuban American Women, the Maryland Governor's Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Ayuda in the nearby Washington, D.C., area and the Servicios Industriales Peñoles in Mexico. For nonlanguage majors, the Department offers a program leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Spanish.
Requirements for the Major:
Spanish majors are required to take 27 credits in
Spanish at the 200 level or above; they may take a maximum of 60 credits in Spanish including 100 level courses. (Students who transfer to Hood in their junior year intending to major in Spanish must be qualified to enroll in courses at the 200 level or above.)
The following courses are required:
- Spanish 203 Spanish Conversation and Composition
- Spanish 204 Spanish Culture and Civilization
- Spanish 207 and 208 Cultural Perspectives on Spanish Literature I and II
- Spanish 230 Phonetics and Diction
- Spanish 315 Advanced Composition
- 9 additional credits in Spanish literature at the 300 level or above
Recommended Schedule for Majors It is recommended that students intending to major in a language take the following courses in their intended language no later than their sophomore year: 203, 204, 207 and 208. To prepare for graduate school and certain careers, a second foreign language is recommended, but students may not study two languages at the beginning level simultaneously.
