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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:
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.
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.
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/ugrad2324/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.
* 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.
Required Courses in the Major: 33 SH, 35 Certification.
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Ed – Spanish Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*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:
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
