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Spanish

Understanding a language is more than simply knowing how to translate; it requires an immersion in its culture and history.

We offer a variety of courses that incorporate literature, linguistics, and culture into the study of the Spanish language. In addition to working interactively with faculty mentors and each other, we strongly encourage students to study abroad.

Overview
Become proficient in language, literature and culture

Our program will prepare you to become proficient in the Spanish language and build a high degree of familiarity with Hispanic literature and culture. In all of our courses, we strive to develop in our students an understanding of as many aspects of Hispanic culture and civilization as possible, in conjunction with the subject focused on.

Build critical thinking skills

We place a strong emphasis on developing your critical thinking skills in all our courses, and many are conducted in Spanish in order to develop students’ proficiency in the language.

Engage in your learning

Our faculty use interactive lectures, group work, entertaining cultural activities, such as singing, video and film presentations, computer-aided presentations and exercises to give you a well-rounded learning experience. A computer lab is available to enhance this experience outside the classroom. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of cultural activities on campus, such as the Dia de los Muertos and Las Posadas celebrations in the fall, as well as the Encuentros festival in the spring.


At a Glance

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Languages and Cultures

School/College

College of Arts and Sciences

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:

The Curriculum

With challenging and relevant courses, outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and an emphasis on hands-on learning, the spanish program will position you to succeed in your chosen career.

Degree requirements

Find out what it takes to earn a degree in spanish and explore the courses.


Highlighted Courses

Get familiar with some of the courses you might take in this major.

SPAN 250: Spanish Heritage in the U.S.

This course prepares students to move into the advanced conversation and composition course, by using cultural and literary readings and videos, as well as grammar reviews. Emphasis is on vocabulary building and the use of Spanish to express ideas and opinions on the Latinx community in the United States. In addition, this course examines the political, historical, social, economic, and cultural realities of the Latinx community in the U.S.

See description
SPAN 301: Conversation and Composition

Intended to further the student's conversational ability, with emphasis on speaking and writing grammatically correct Spanish. Increased understanding of the Hispanic world through reading and discussion.

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SPAN 325: Spanish American Literature and Society

Designed to familiarize students with major authors of Spanish American literature from its beginning to present times. A study of selections viewed in their cultural and historical contexts will highlight the extent to which these authors were influenced by the ideology of their times and how their writings, in turn, relate to contemporary thought.

See description
SPAN 380: Introduction to Translation

This course is an intensive study of advanced Spanish grammar in the context of translation from English into Spanish and Spanish into English. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of translation theory and will put them into practice by analyzing and translating humor, literary excerpts, journalistic pieces, and documents focused on healthcare, media, technology, law, marketing, and education for example.

See description
SPAN 401: Applied Linguistics and Grammar.

This course provides students with phonetic, phonological, morphological and syntactic aspects of the Spanish language in its synchronic and diachronic contexts. Includes grammar, reading and writing and has a lecture and discussion format.

See description
SPAN 405: Latin-American Culture and Civilization

Intended to deepen student's knowledge of the development of the institutions of the Spanish-American peoples, and to improve their conversational ability. Includes lectures oral participation and oral and written reports.

See description

View all required courses



Recommended Minors

Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.


The Experience

We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.

  • Study Abroad

    We strongly encourage majors and minors in Spanish to study abroad. The Spanish Department sponsors a program in Guanajuato, Mexico, which provides students with an excellent opportunity to polish their language skills through immersion in the culture. Other opportunities to spend a semester or junior year abroad at any one of a variety of universities in Spain and Latin America are available through the study abroad program at Cal Lutheran.

  • Clubs and Honor Societies

    Students can participate and become members of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi, and the Latin American Students Association.

  • Cultural Campus Events

    Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of cultural activities on campus, such as the Dia de los Muertos and Las Posadas celebrations in the fall, as well as the Encuentros Festival in the spring.

Student photo

I believe the most important factor in helping students discover their purpose is letting them understand that individuals adopt, pursue or fulfill their purpose through many different paths in their lives and that very often their purpose in life changes. Purpose is a force that pushes your existence, but is not an unyielding one. What is important is that all your goals are aligned with having a meaningful existence that goes beyond the self.

Rafaela Fiore Urizar
Associate Professor

Career Paths

Most of our students go into teaching, private industry, or government service. Our program prepares you for these multiple paths with an emphasis on an increasingly pluralistic, globally-oriented, and competitive society. Because language and literature are inseparable from a cultural context, you will also gain a strong cultural orientation for your career development.


Potential Careers

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

See description

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

See description

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

See description

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

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Search Marketing Strategists

Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.

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Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

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Looking for more career paths? Search these related areas to discover more options.

Employers

Some of the organizations our graduates work for include:

  • Bromund Law Group
  • California Lutheran University
  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • CSU Channel Islands
  • ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program
  • Hayward Police Department
  • Lamia Financial Group
  • La Roca Women’s Shelter
  • Los Angeles Police Department
  • New Mexico Orthopedics
  • Peace Corps
  • Simi Valley Unified School District
  • Sport Court of Southern California
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
  • The ABRITE Organization
  • Ventura County Probation Agency

Graduate Schools

Our alumni have pursued advanced degrees at:

  • Boston University
  • California Lutheran University
  • California State University, Northridge
  • Gonzaga University, School of Law
  • Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
  • Northwestern University
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • University of Oregon
  • University of West Los Angeles School of Law
  • Washington University in St. Louis
Marina Alvarez
My research experience (as a Pearson Scholar for Leadership and Engagement in Global Society under the guidance of Dr. Fiore Urízar) and my Spanish classes gave me skills to guide my career. Those skills have allowed me to write and translate museum labels, conduct interviews in Spanish, and be considered for more projects and opportunities.

Marina Alvarez '15
Independent Curator and PhD Student in Art History, University of Illinois

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Some occupations listed above may require a related graduate degree.

How We Prepare You for Success

We have 20,000+ employer contacts for jobs and internships, with over 200 listings posted each week.

Our excellent career counselors in the Career Services center will get in touch with you during your very first term on campus. They offer over 50 workshops each year on resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, applying to graduate schools, and other critical skills to help you begin your career successfully.

After you graduate from Cal Lutheran, you receive free access to Career Services for life, as a valued member of our alumni family.

Learn more about career outcomes

of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months

Cost & Financial Aid

We work with students and families to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.


Tuition & Fees

You and your family might have questions about how you’ll cover the costs of college. We can tell you this — it costs less than you think.

Read our financial aid guide

Scholarships & Grants

We offer a range of awards based on academic merit and financial need. This is money that does not need to be repaid.

View scholarships and grants

Financial Aid

If you're new to the financial aid process, you probably have a lot of questions. But don't worry — we're here to help guide you all the way.

Learn about financial aid

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