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.
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
School/College
College of Arts and Sciences
Next Steps
Interested in this major? Here's what you can do next:
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 descriptionSPAN 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.
See descriptionSPAN 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 descriptionSPAN 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 descriptionSPAN 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 descriptionSPAN 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 descriptionRecommended Minors
Want to add even more value to your degree? Consider one of these minors to gain a unique combination of skills and perspectives.
We offer hands-on opportunities that give you the freedom to explore your passion through real-world work and prepare for a fulfilling career.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I studied abroad in Granada, Spain, where I took all my courses in Spanish and lived with a host family that only spoke Spanish. This experience helped me greatly with my language acquisition and earning the confidence to speak it. Before I studied abroad, I was only minoring in Spanish but when I was planning my classes for Spain, I found out I would only need to take a few more classes to meet the major requirements so I upgraded it from a minor to a double major.
Tessa Kirk '20
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 descriptionInterpreters and Translators
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
See descriptionForeign 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 descriptionHealthcare 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.
See descriptionSearch 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.
See descriptionSocial 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.
See descriptionLooking 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
- Edelman
- 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, LA
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Oregon
- University of West LA School of Law
- Washington University in St. Louis
As a junior at Cal Lutheran, I was taking a class in Hispanic Literature, when my professor at the time, Dr. Rafaela Fiore, recognized the potential of my work and encouraged me to present my research in an academic conference. In the remainder of my time at Cal Lutheran, (the Spanish faculty) worked with me and motivated me to continue my research on Afro-Latin literature. That has now become the topic of my PhD dissertation.
Gicela Medina '20
PhD in Hispanic Studies student at Washington University in St. Louis
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.
of Cal Lutheran graduates find a job or enroll in graduate school within nine months
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