Program Description
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at CSUB prepares students to interact and succeed in an increasingly global world. Cultural understanding and second language skills offer distinct advantages to graduates, particularly at a time when cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity in society is rapidly increasing. degrees in Spanish, minors in Spanish and French,
and a California Single Subject Credential in Spanish. A Special Major in French is available to interested students. Program Goals & Objectives
Goals of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures are to foster a broader linguistic, literary and cultural understanding of global societies, equip students with skills that are necessary in career fields, and prepare teachers of modern languages with the necessary knowledge and skills for teaching languages and cultures to others. These goals are accomplished by fostering interest in, and understanding of, cultures and peoples, and by developing student proficiency in the fundamental language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the languages offered. Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish
The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Spanish requires a minimum of 33 units of coursework as specified below. In addition, students must achieve satisfactory performance on proficiency tests upon entrance to and exit from the major program, with a minimum grade of C in each course applying to the major program. Course requirements are as follows:
Lower division coursework: 6-8 units
SPAN 2000 and 2010 with accompanying labs, or SPAN 2020 and 2030. Credit may be awarded for these courses if proficiency/placement testing demonstrates student to be on an advanced level and the student achieves a grade of B or above in the course the student places into. Note: Students with little to no prior experience with Spanish may need to take SPAN 1000 and 1010 in preparation for major coursework, but these courses do not count toward the 33 units required for the degree. Upper division coursework: 27 units
SPAN 3000;
choice of two literature courses (SPAN 3100, 3110, 3120, 3130, 3140, 3710);
choice of one linguistics course (SPAN 3200, 3210, 3220, 3230, 3720);
choice of one culture course (SPAN 3300, 3310, 3320, 3330, 3340, 3730);
choice of 9 additional units (3 courses) not counted as fulfilling other requirements with at least 3 units at the 4000 level;
SPAN 4908 to be completed in the final semester of program study. Program Description
The Master of Arts in Spanish program enables students to further advance their communication skills in the fundamental areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing in Spanish. The Spanish M.A. is designed for a range of individuals and seeks to provide: (1) balance for those who wish to terminate their studies at the Master’s level and whose primary aim is to teach in a community college; (2) advanced training for teachers who wish to improve their professional skills and status; (3) a variety of courses for students who plan to continue toward the Ph.D. degree at another institution; and (4) continuing education for those who wish to extend their knowledge as an end in itself through an interesting and stimulating series of courses in literature, criticism, language and culture. Program Goals & Objectives
Goals for the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures M.A. program are to provide instruction in graduate theory and research, to provide enhanced study of the literatures and cultures of Spain, Latin America, and U.S. Latinos, to provide training in linguistics and second-language pedagogy, and to offer development in professional areas like translation and interpretation. These goals are accomplished through courses that challenge student development, critically explore cultures, and refine proficiency in Spanish language skills. Application and Admission
Students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may apply to the university for post-baccalaureate status and simultaneously to the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures for admission to the master’s degree program in Spanish. Admission to the graduate program leading to the Master of Arts in Spanish requires the following:
Acceptance to the university as a post-baccalaureate student;
Submission of the department’s graduate application form which includes a one-page statement of purpose in Spanish describing objectives of proposed study;
A baccalaureate degree in Spanish from an accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a baccalaureate degree in a field other than Spanish with demonstrated language proficiency to satisfy the core requirements of the undergraduate B.A. program and leveling courses as determined by the graduate coordinator (see below);
A letter of recommendation from an academic/professional reference (preferably a professor who can speak to the student’s abilities). Applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in a subject other than Spanish must have taken equivalent courses to the undergraduate Spanish requirements or successfully complete SPAN 3000 and at least one approved upper-level course from each of the designated areas of literature, linguistics, and cultures. Classification of Graduate Students
There are three classifications for students in the Spanish graduate program:
Classified
A student who meets all the requirements for admission to the master’s degree program in Spanish will be admitted as a classified graduate student. A classified graduate student may take any graduate-level course meeting the requirements of his or her plan of study as long as the appropriate prerequisites have been met. Conditionally Classified
A student may be admitted as conditionally classified if, in the judgment of the graduate committee for the Modern Languages and Literatures Department, he or she has the potential to fulfill all the conditions specified by the committee for admission as a classified graduate student and potential for successful completion of all the requirements for the graduate program. Upon fulfillment of all conditions specified by the committee, the student’s status will be administratively changed to classified graduate student. Candidate
Classified students who have maintained a 3.0 GPA can petition in writing for degree candidacy prior to the semester in which they intend to graduate. Candidates will be awarded the M.A. degree after successful completion of all degree requirements. Academic Advising
Meeting with the graduate program coordinator is an important first step in the M.A. program. It is the student’s responsibility, in consultation with the graduate program coordinator and departmental advisors, to choose appropriate courses. The graduate program coordinator guides students during the period of graduate study and responds to any concerns students may have while in the program. It is essential that M.A. students stay in contact with the graduate program coordinator so the department can provide current information to help the student move expeditiously through the program. Students have a responsibility to schedule regular meetings with the graduate program coordinator and their advisors. Program Requirements
Students participating in the Master of Arts in Spanish program must successfully complete a minimum of 30 units of approved graduate courses in Spanish which include the following:
6 units of required foundational courses: SPAN 5400 and SPAN 5410
21 units of elected Spanish offerings (7 courses) at the graduate level. Students must take at least one course in each of the areas of literature, language/linguistics, and cultures, and at least two courses must be at the 6000 level or above. Courses previously taken at the 4000 level may NOT be retaken for credit at the graduate level. To be accepted for degree candidacy, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
3 units of required culminating experience: SPAN 6900 to be completed in the final semester of program study. The culminating experience is intended to demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline and will integrate what the student has learned over the course of graduate study. The culminating experience must be approved by the graduate committee and may include such options as a thesis, culminating project, or comprehensive exam. The student will present and defend their work to an established panel.
