Spanish (World Languages & Cultures, B.A.)
In today's job market, the study of Spanish offers some real advantages. There are over 400 million native speakers. It's the second most commonly spoken language in the U.S. and fourth in the world. It's the primary language from Latin America to Spain to the territory of Puerto Rico and the official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of American States. There's an increasing presence in the demographics and popular culture of the United States, particularly in the fast-growing states of the Sun Belt. Also, it is considered to be the most beneficial second language for a native speaker of English. Consequently, Old Dominion's Spanish program curriculum is designed to appeal to a wide range of interests and to prepare students for a variety of professions. Knowledge of Spanish also complements such fields as economics, government, history, engineering, and computer science. No matter what their future careers students find that Spanish Studies, as part of a liberal arts education, enriches their professional and personal lives.
Spanish (World Languages & Cultures, B.A.)
Description
What is Spanish at ODU like?
In today's job market, the study of Spanish offers some real advantages. There are over 400 million native speakers. It's the second most commonly spoken language in the U.S. and fourth in the world. It's the primary language from Latin America to Spain to the territory of Puerto Rico and the official language of the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of American States. There's an increasing presence in the demographics and popular culture of the United States, particularly in the fast-growing states of the Sun Belt. Also, it is considered to be the most beneficial second language for a native speaker of English. Consequently, Old Dominion's Spanish program curriculum is designed to appeal to a wide range of interests and to prepare students for a variety of professions. Knowledge of Spanish also complements such fields as economics, government, history, engineering, and computer science. No matter what their future careers students find that Spanish Studies, as part of a liberal arts education, enriches their professional and personal lives.
Program Highlights
What makes Spanish at ODU unique?
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Two types of B.A. degrees: B.A. in Spanish and B.A. in Spanish with Secondary School Certification.
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Students have a variety of opportunities to practice their Spanish, including a state-of-the-art multimedia Language Learning Center, lectures by prominent Hispanic writers, and conversation groups.
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Broad curriculum: Peninsular and Latin American culture and literature; Culture courses on customs, values, ideologies, popular culture, history, philosophy, art, economics, and education of the many Spanish-speaking nations; Literature courses on major literary movements apply current literary theories, and approach literary texts as fundamental to the study of a given nation's culture; Business Spanish, Spanish for the health professions, phonetics, and grammar.
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Students have access to the Language Learning Center as a resource.
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
$75,950
MEDIAN SALARY
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.
Interpreters and Translators
$51,790
MEDIAN SALARY
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Chief Executives
$196,050
MEDIAN SALARY
Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
$127,690
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at
Secondary education, international non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies, the field of business, marketing and shipping.
Courses
What are some courses offered in Spanish at ODU?
SPAN 322:
Identities and Cultures of the Hispanic World
This course examines historical and cultural identities in Spain and Latin America, beginning with a study of the historical constructs that helped create the basis of Spanish and Latin American identities. These include the concept of Convivencia |co-existence) of the three religions in Medieval Spain, pre-Columbian civilizations, the Spanish Conquest, the Colonial period, and the fight for Independence. The course also addresses more modern notions of culture and identity by focusing on themes such as globalization, immigration, economic crises, political leadership, and daily life. Along with these themes, popular culture will be discussed at length in order to understand the role it plays in generating identities. Prerequisites: SPAN 311 and SPAN 312W with a grade of C or better.
SPAN 330:
Introduction to Hispanic Literature
This course introduces students to the basic theoretical and practical aspects and approaches to literary analysis, in order to learn how to read Hispanic literature from the Middle Ages to the present. Literary texts will be examined in terms of content, style, and form. The objectives of the course are to learn how to do a close reading of the texts ? a poem, a short story, a novel, or a theater play ? and interpret them as a literary scholar, while developing skills of critical thinking, speaking and writing in Spanish. Discussions will focus on literary themes and their relationship to current events rather than a chronological survey of literature. Prerequisites: SPAN 311 and SPAN 312W.
SPAN 471:
Hispanic Women Authors
A study of fictional and non-fictional works by Spanish, Spanish-American, and U.S. Latina writers from the 16th to the 20th century. The course analyzes gender identity and roles and the interaction of gender, race, and class in literary representations of courtship and marriage, spirituality, nationalism, colonialism, and multiculturalism. (Cross-listed with WCS 471/WCS 571) Prerequisites: SPAN 311, SPAN 312W, SPAN 320 or SPAN 321, and SPAN 331 or SPAN 332 or SPAN 333 or SPAN 334.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Spanish at ODU?
Students entering the Bachelor of Arts program in Spanish should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Undergraduate Admission)
Must complete the Lower Division General Education requirements and the core requirements.
A cumulative grade point average of 2.00 is required for the 30 hours of upper-division courses in Spanish.
No more than two SPAN courses taught in English can be counted for the major.
At least 12 hours in theconcentration must be taken at Old Dominion University.
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 374
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,039
Active Duty Military Rate
Per Credit:
$ 250
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 407
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Study Abroad Scholarships
Through the Office of Study Abroad Spanish majors are eligible for scholarships to study the language and culture abroad.
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
Need help applying?
Meet Your Enrollment Team
Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Name:
Andrew Gordus PhD
Location:
4016 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-4319
Undergraduate Admissions
Location:
1004 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-3255
Email:
admissions@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Transfer
I like this program and want to transfer. What are my next steps?
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful transition, engagement, and academic achievement of transfer students. The services and programs offered to you as a Monarch are endless so take advantage of every opportunity. Even before you set foot on campus, we encourage you to Explore, Experience, and Engage! Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
Related Programs
What other options does ODU have?
How would you like to complete your program?
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