WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

World Languages and Cultures

Galina Bakhtiarova, Chair
bakhtiarovag@wcsu.edu
HI, 218B
(203) 837-8734
(203) 837-8032 (fax)

Krista Brooks, Department Secretary
brooksk@wcsu.edu
Higgins Hall 201, Midtown campus
(203) 837-9166
(203) 837-8032 (fax)

 

Faculty

G. Bakhtiarova, Chair
S.A. Hawkins

 

Adjunct Faculty

H. El Khalfi, Arabic                           Y. Toma, Chinese                       J. Matranga, French
R. Ludanyi, German                        P. Farina, Italian                         M. Oliveira, Portuguese
C. Crisostomo-Lenz, Spanish     E. Fabrizio-Garcia, Spanish 
M. Purgatorio, Spanish                  S. Pena, Spanish

 

Overview

The Department of World Languages and Cultures creates a strong foundation for learning a variety of languages, both in our courses and through study abroad opportunities.

Major programs in the bachelor of arts degree in Spanish, and education programs in elementary or secondary education with a concentration in Spanish, offer students a curriculum that is balanced between the study of language, cultures, and literary traditions from Spain, Latin America and Latinxs in the USA with an emphasis on a greater awareness of the vital connections between global and local Hispanic communities.

In advanced courses for majors and minors, our curriculum retains the strengths of traditional linguistic analysis, and adds a cutting-edge cultural studies focus to the study of literature and civilizations. Students at all levels develop language proficiency, in addition to critical thinking and problem solving skills, oral communication, and writing abilities, which are all key competencies for a variety of professional careers. All courses for majors and minors in Spanish are offered in the online synchronous mode.

 

Mission

The Department of World Languages & Cultures opens doors to the 21st century global economy with the continued growing demand for language skills for business, government, community groups, and international organizations.

In our language programs, students are encouraged to be critical thinking citizens and leaders of our increasingly interdependent world community. Our students learn to view the world from diverse perspectives, and to cross borders through effective communication based on an appreciation of cultural diversity.

Through the study of language, culture, translation and interpretation, and great works, students gain access to professional opportunities: travel, promotions, and an edge in our increasingly competitive employment market. Language and culture proficiency gives students the power to think quickly from diverse viewpoints to make proposals, solve problems, and interact with diverse local and international populations, students, or clients. Even when bilingualism is not the deciding factor for initial employment, evidence confirms that language skills can enhance mobility and aid in admission to graduate study and job promotion.

 

Learning Outcomes for Students in World Languages & Cultures
The Department of World Languages & Cultures at Western Connecticut State University adheres to national standards for foreign language learning determined by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) for language proficiency and cultural competency through the: Communication, Cultures, Comparisons, Connections, and Communities.

The ACTFL proficiency scale from 2012 established guidelines for language proficiency at the following levels:

  • Novice (Low, Mid, High)
  • Intermediate (Low, Mid, High)
  • Advanced (Low, Mid, High)
  • Superior
  • Distinguished

Degree Programs in World Languages

Bachelor of Arts
Spanish

Bachelor of Science
Secondary Education: Spanish

Minor Programs
Spanish
Spanish Translation


Bachelor of Arts in Spanish (B.A.)

Description The Department of World Languages & Cultures opens doors to the 21st century global economy with the continued growing demand for language skills for business, government, community groups, and international organizations. 

In our language programs, students are encouraged to be critical thinking citizens and leaders of our increasingly interdependent world community. Our students learn to view the world from diverse perspectives, and to cross borders through effective communication based on an appreciation of cultural diversity. 

 Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 39 SH.  

Choose one: SPA 203: Conversation and Composition; or Film; SPA 204: Conversation and Composition: Essay  3 SH 
Choose one translation course: SPA 212: Spanish for Business and Law; SPA 213 Spanish for Health and Community; or SPA 214 Introduction to Spanish Translation  3 SH 
Choose three culture courses: SPA 221 Cultures of Spain; SPA 222: Cultures of Spanish America; SPA 224 Transatlantic Hispanic Cultures,
SPA 225 Hispanic Cultures of Connecticut; SPA 226 Global Immersion: Spain  
9 SH 
Choose six 300-level literature courses: SPA 311: Spanish Translation; SPA 330 Representative Authors: Spain; SPA 331 Representative Authors: Spanish America;
SPA 337: Modern Spanish Novel; SPA 360 Readings on the Arts in Spain and Latin America; SPA 361: Gender and Sexuality in Spanish America;
SPA 365: Revolution, Testimony, and Memory in Spanish America; SPA 370: US Latina/Latino Literature
18 SH 
SPA 400 Linguistics (CE, W3)  3 SH 
Spanish Elective: Any 200-400 level SPA course  3 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BA in Spanish = 2.0 overall. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Spanish

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
First Year Navigation (FY)   1-3  Gen Ed: Breadth elective  3 
First Level SPA, depending on placement (IC)  3  2nd Level SPA (IC, Rpt. 1)  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Gen Ed: Writing Tier 2 (W2)  3 
MAT 100 Intermediate Math OR Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR)  3-4  Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) OR Gen Ed: Breadth Elective  3 
Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR Creative Process (CP)  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) OR Creative Process (CP)  3 
Free Elective (Only if FY is 1 SH)  3     
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
SPA 203 Conversation & Comp: Film OR SPA 204 Conv. & Comp Essay (pre-req SPA 197 or placement exam).  3  SPA Translation Course  3 
SPA Culture Course 1  3  SPA Culture Course 2  3 
Gen Ed: Information Literacy (IL)  3  Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI)  4 
Gen-Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW)  2 
Gen-Ed: Breadth Elective  3  Gen Ed: Breadth Elective  3 
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6**  SH 
SPA Culture Course 3  3  SPA Literature Course 2  3 
SPA Literature Course 1  3  SPA Literature Course 3  3 
SPA Elective (any 200-400 level)  3  Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3  3 
Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 2  3  Gen Ed: Breadth Elective  3 
Free Elective  3  Free Elective  3 
       
Semester 7  SH  Semester 8  SH 
SPA 400 Linguistics (CE, W3)  3  SPA Literature Course 6  3 
SPA Literature Course 4  3  Free Elective  3 
SPA Literature Course 5  3  Free Elective  3 
Free Elective  6  Free Elective  6 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Spanish = 120; Minimum GPA 2.0 

* Students who enroll in a 3 SH FY do not need the free elective in their first semester.  

**Students who major in Spanish are strongly encouraged to consider a study-abroad experience. Junior year is an opportune time for this. Speak with your advisor for guidance. 


Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education–Spanish (B.S.)

Description This degree provides foundations in Spanish language usage, and the literature and cultures of many Spanish-speaking countries such that graduates are prepared to educate others in this field.  

Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 33 SH, 35 Certification.  

Choose one 200-level introductory course: SPA 203 Conversation & Composition: Film; SPA 204 Conversation and Composition: Essay; SPA 212 Spanish for Business & Law; SPA 213 Spanish for Health & Community; SPA 214 Intro to Spanish Translation 3 SH 
Choose three 200-level intermediate courses: SPA 221 Cultures of Spain; SPA 222 Cultures of Spanish America, SPA 224 Transatlantic Hispanic Culture; SPA 225 Hispanic Cultures: Connecticut 9 SH 
Choose six 300-level Advanced Courses 18 SH
SPA 400 Linguistics (CE, W3)  3 SH
Cognates   
Fine Arts: Creative Process (CP)  3 SH 
Lab Science: Scientific Inquiry (SI)  4 SH 
Mathematics: Quantitative Reasoning (QR)  3 SH 
HIS 148 or 149 American History (CT)  3 SJ 
Certification Requirements   
ED 206 Introduction to Education (IL, OC)  3 SH 
ED 212 Educational Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence II (W2)  3 SH 
HPX 215 Health Issues in Schools  3 SH 
EPY 405 Intro to Special Education   3 SH 
ED 385 Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools co-req ED 386  3 SH 
ED 386 Secondary Education Professional Dev. Experience co-req ED 385  1 SH 
ED 440 Integrating Language  3 SH 
ED 447 Teaching in Secondary Schools  3 SH 
ED 340 Assessment of Teaching Strategies (W3)  1 SH 
ED 342 Student Teaching Secondary Education (Grade 7-12) (CE)  12 SH 
Minimum GPA for the BS Secondary Ed in Spanish = 3.0 overall. 


General Education
: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours.  Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.  

 

Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Ed – Spanish
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
ED 102 FY for Secondary Education (FY)   1  Gen Ed: Breadth elective  3 
First Level SPA, depending on placement (IC)  3  2nd Level SPA (IC, Rpt. 1)  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  ENG Literature (any)  3 
MAT 100 or 100(P) Intermediate Math OR Math 110 or higher (QR)  3-4  MAT 110 or higher (QR) OR Gen Ed: Breadth  3 
HIS 148 or 149 American History (CT)  3  Fine Arts (CP)  3 
Free Elective  3     
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
SPA 203 Conversation & Comp: Film OR SPA 204 Conv. & Comp Essay (pre-req SPA 197 or placement exam).  3  SPA Translation Course  3 
SPA Culture Course 1  3  SPA Culture Course 2  3 
SPA Literature Course 1  3  SPA Literature Course 2  3 
Gen-Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  HPX 215 Health Issues in Schools  3 
ED 206 Introduction to Education (IL, OC)  3  ED 212 Educational Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence II (W2)  3 
       
Semester 5  SH  Semester 6  SH 
SPA Literature Course 3  3  SPA Literature Course 5  3 
SPA Literature Course 4  3  SPA Literature Course 6  3 
SPA Culture Course 3  3  Lab Science: Scientific Inquiry (SI)  4 
SPA 400 Linguistics (CE, W3)  3  Free Elective  3 
Health & Wellness (HW)  2  Free Elective 3 
Free Elective  3 
       
Semester 7  SH  Semester 8  SH 
EPY 405 Intro to Special Education     ED 340 Assess. of Teaching Strategies (W3)  1 SH 
ED 385 Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools co-req ED 386    ED 342 Student Teaching Secondary Education (Grade 7-12) (CE)  12 SH 
ED 386 Secondary Education Professional Dev. Experience co-req ED 385       
ED 440 Integrating Language       
ED 447 Teaching in Secondary Schools       
Total Credits Required for the BS Secondary Ed Spanish = 120; Minimum GPA 3.0 

*Students who major in Spanish are strongly encouraged to consider a study-abroad experience. Junior year is an opportune time for this. Speak with your advisor for guidance. 

See the Department of Education and Educational Psychology within the School of Professional Studies.


Major in Spanish
(B.A. SPANISH, B.S. SPANISH-SECONDARY ED.)

Students who complete a major in Spanish (B.A. Spanish, B.S. in Spanish-Secondary Ed.) achieve a minimum level of Advanced Low as defined by the ACTFL proficiency scale. Spanish majors and minors are assessed annually for oral and writing proficiency as part of an internal program assessment through a final exam or project during at least one 200-level and one 300-level Spanish course on cultural and/or literary topics.

 

B.S. Spanish – Secondary Education Certification

Students admitted to the professional semester for the B.S. in Spanish-Secondary Education achieve a minimum level of Advanced Low as defined by the ACTFL proficiency scale. In addition to assessment of cultural competency of students in final exams and projects in culture and literature courses, candidates for teacher certification demonstrate oral proficiency and writing proficiency through the following external assessments:

 

Foreign Language Requirements

All students enrolled in B.A. programs and secondary education majors must fulfill the foreign language requirement in one of the following ways:

1. By completing through the third year of one foreign language in high school with an overall “C” average.

2. By studying a total of three years of two foreign languages in high school with an overall “B” average.

3. By successfully completing a foreign language proficiency examination, or by providing the necessary documentation outlined in the language waiver policy in this catalog.

4. By successfully completing a language immersion experience of one semester abroad. Consult the Department of World Languages and Cultures or ISEP.

5. By successfully completing the specified language courses at WCSU. Students may fulfill the foreign language requirement by successfully completing an Introductory II second-semester course in languages offered in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, or any one semester of a language course at the intermediate level or above that is taught in the target language, not in English.

 

Introductory Level- Foreign Language Requirement

Students who complete the second semester of an introductory language sequence at WCSU achieve a minimum level of Novice Mid as defined by the ACTFL proficiency scale in the following courses or their equivalents: French 164, German 164, Italian 164, Portuguese 164, and Spanish 164. Students may complete the foreign language requirement with an academic language study abroad, which includes:

  • Summer Study Abroad in Spain,
  • Wintersession in Florence
  • ISEP

Students who complete the second semester of an introductory language sequence achieve a minimum level of Novice Low as defined by the ACTFL proficiency scale in oral and writing proficiency in the following courses or their equivalents: Arabic 102 and Chinese 164. Arabic 101 and 102 will be offered in 2020-2021; Chinese 162 and Chinese 164 will be offered in 2021-2022. Assessment at this level is conducted by faculty teaching the course in a final exam or project at the end of the semester.

 

Minor in Spanish

Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.

18 SH (eighteen credits) in Approved Spanish Electives
-Course electives must be approve by a World Language and Literature Advisor.
-Students shall select electives above the course level of SPA 164 Introduction to Spanish II
-Courses for Spanish in Professions (i.e. SPA 170 Practical Spanish for Health Professionals) shall not be accepted for e credit for this minor.

Minor in Spanish Translation

The Spanish Translation minor (18 SH) is open to all students with at least a minimum of intermediate Spanish proficiency through completion of SPA 197: Continuing Spanish Language & Culture. Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.

Required courses (12 SH):
SPA 212 Spanish for Business & Law
SPA 213 Spanish for Health and the Community
SPA 214 Introduction to Spanish Translation
SPA 311 Spanish Translation Theory & Practice

And choose two (2) courses from the following (6 SH):
SPA 330 Representative Authors: Spain
SPA 331 Representative Authors: Spanish America
SPA 337 Modern Spanish Novel
SPA 360 Readings on the Arts in Spain & Latin America
SPA 361 Gender & Sexuality in Spanish America
SPA 365 Revolution, Testimony and Memory in Spanish America
SPA 370 US Latina/Latino Literature
SPA 371 Caribbean Identities