Spanish, B.A.

Kate McCarthy-Gilmore, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Placement Guidelines for Spanish

All incoming students who plan to enroll in a Spanish course must take the online Spanish placement exam. Transfer students who have taken Spanish at another college or university are exempt from the exam. The Admission office will provide new first-year and transfer students with the placement exam information prior to orientation and registration. Current students should contact a member of the Spanish faculty to make arrangements to take the placement exam prior to registering for any Spanish course.

Retroactive Credit Policy

Please see our Retroactive Credit Policy  for more information regarding retroactive credit.

Study Abroad Programs

Study in another country is a vital component of the language student’s college experience. There are many opportunities for Loras students to study outside the U.S. for a semester, a summer or a full academic year. Such study greatly enhances a student’s skills in the target language and brings the student into direct contact with another country’s culture(s). The Division of Language & Literature strongly encourages its students to participate in such programs. All credits from Loras sponsored semester study abroad programs will automatically transfer back to the College. In order to apply credit from courses taken in a non-Loras sponsored study abroad program (semester or summer) students must obtain PRIOR written approval from a Spanish faculty member and must receive approval from the Study Abroad Coordinator in the Center for Experiential Learning.

Students may not apply more than 12 of the 30 credits required for the Spanish major, nor more than 6 of the 18 credits required for the Spanish minor, from courses taken through a single study abroad (not including May Term courses). Study abroad credits will count as L.SPA-300 and L.SPA-400 level elective credits or L.SPA 204 . Additionally, courses can count as course equates as approved by the Program Manager.

Student Learning Outcomes - Spanish

1. Speaking: Communicate effectively, clearly, and cohesively in oral discourse at the intermediate high level or above (as defined by ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines).
2. Writing: Demonstrate the linguistic and rhetorical skills required to make a persuasive and insightful written argument. This includes the incorporation of relevant social or historical contexts and the smooth and accurate integration of academic research.
3. Intercultural Competence: Communicate respectfully, appropriately and effectively with individuals and communities who hold beliefs and engage in cultural practices different from their own.
4. Critical Thinking: Comment with critical insight on a range of topics and cultural products of the U.S., Latin America, and Spain including cultural manifestations and social institutions of the Spanish speaking world, as well as current issues related to belief systems, politics, and social justice issues, especially in relation to Latinx communities in the United States.