School of Social Sciences and International Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

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Why Choose Spanish?

Studying one of the modern languages at Wright State will help you improve your ability to read, write, and speak in another language, study how that language is used in a social context, and become a more enlightened citizen. You will also learn about the history, politics, culture, media, and literature of your chosen country and study their economic and educational systems.

New technologies have increased global opportunities, and studying a modern language prepares you to work with people all over the world. Government and non-governmental agencies have discovered a critical need for college graduates with foreign language skills.

If the idea of studying abroad excites you, no other degree field offers as many opportunities for you to immerse yourself in a different culture while improving your language skills.

We are proud to offer a rich and varied program, with countless opportunities for involvement beyond the classroom. Below are only a few highlights of what we offer.

    Careers

    Knowledge of a foreign language can prove quite valuable when seeking employment in a global economy. Your awareness of foreign cultures and language and communication skills could be an asset to any business—especially one that trades internationally. Some possible career options for those with a modern language degree include:

    • Broadcast journalist
    • Business (finance, marketing, advertising, sales)
    • Concierge
    • Detective
    • Diplomat
    • Event management
    • International aid/development worker
    • Interpreter
    • Logistics and distribution
    • Public relations
    • Subtitles and voice-overs
    • Teacher
    • Tour manager
    • Translator

    Where are our recent graduates?

    • Pursuing an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish at universities across Ohio and elsewhere
    • Studying to be a bilingual doctor or lawyer at medical or law school
    • Teaching English in Spain with generous support from the Spanish government

    View the Spanish program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections

    Real-World Experience

    LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

    • Lead a workshop or activity in Spanish at the yearly Immersion for high school students
    • Earn $10/hour working as a Supplemental Instruction leader in basic Spanish courses
    • Earn credit toward the major as a teaching assistant in a beginning Spanish course
    • Become involved with the Hispanic community by taking a service-learning conversation course
    • Become an officer in the Spanish Club
    • Publish an article in Spanish in La Vanguardia, the Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati Latino newspaper
    • Explore an internship with schools and afterschool programs or area businesses

    Study abroad opportunities

    Wright State has many opportunities for earning credits while living or traveling abroad. Consult the modern languages website's Study Abroad page, the University Center for International Education (UCIE) Study Abroad website or faculty in the relevant language for study abroad opportunities.

    • Short-term faculty–led programs to Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Spain
    • Popular semester- and year-long destinations include Spain, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Cuba; semester-long scholarships to study in Argentina

    Credit Opportunities

    Teaching Assistantships (SPN 3810) are designed for you if who want to explore the teaching profession. Sign up for SPN 3810, Applied Elementary Instruction, by first contacting a professor who will be teaching a SPN 1010 or a SPN 1020 course. Typically, you will earn 3 credits for attending all classes, tutoring students outside of class, keeping a journal of observations, turning in several reflection essays on pedagogical readings assigned by your instructor, and developing original mini-lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and culture under the supervision of your instructor. Currently, SPN 3810 is a 3-credit course but we hope to be able to offer 1- and 2-credit options soon.

    Internships (SPN 3700) are opportunities to use your Spanish in professional settings while gaining academic credit. Some of the internships are unpaid, some are paid, and others are paid on commission. We have partnerships with area schools, afterschool programs for Latino children, and area businesses such as AFLAC and Vocalink.You will be required to keep a record of hours worked and complete a mid-semester and a final evaluation with your site supervisor. Transportation is required, as well as good work attitude. For 3 credits, you must fulfill at least 135 hours, of which 120 hours must be completed on site. Internships are typically open to seniors and coordinated by Professors Maria Astudillo (maria.astudillo@wright.edu) and Ksenia Bonch Reeves (xenia.bonch@wright.edu).

    How it works:

    • Talk to your professor about available internships
    • Fill out an application and have your advisor sign it
    • Register for SPN 3700, Internship in Spanish
    • Fill out an internship contract.

    Spanish tutors must have taken at least 15 credits at Wright State including SPN 3210, earned a grade of A or B in the course you will be tutoring, and have a 3.0 GPA. Tutors earn $10.01/hour and can benefit from professional development opportunities available from Tutoring Services. Contact your Spanish advisor for approval.

    Success Stories

    For the past six months, Megan McKarns has lived in El Salvador, working with families and performing mission work.
    2018 Wright State graduate Julia Gomez-Cambronero's Spanish heritage influences her theatre performances.

    Scholarships and Honors

    • UCIE study abroad scholarships—$500
    • Jennie and David Buckwalter Study Abroad Scholarship
    • David and Suzanne Garrison Scholarship awarded to midcareer students
    • Stephan M. Pugh Study Abroad Scholarship
    • Outstanding Senior Award
    • College of Liberal Arts Leadership Scholarship
    • Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Honor Society

    Academics and Curriculum

    Recent and upcoming course titles

    • Afro-Hispanic Culture
    • Chilean Nostalgic Poetry
    • Hispanic Cinema: Culture in Motion
    • US/Central American Comics, Politic, Culture
    • Terrorism Portrayed in Spain
    • Spaniards, Latinos, Latin Americans
    • Andalusian Legacy
    • Methods in Teaching Foreign Languages

    View Bachelor of Arts in Spanish program information and requirements in the Academic Catalog.

    Admission

    Review the college admission requirements and complete the admission application. Identify whether you will be majoring in Spanish.

    If you are a current student and wish to change majors, go to the WINGS Express major/minor change request form and change your major.  If you are an undecided/exploratory student, talk to your advisor about majoring in Spanish.

    Faculty

    Dorothy Alvarez, M.B.A., M.A.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Senior Lecturer, Spanish
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 337, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

    Maria P. Sherritt, M.Ed.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Senior Lecturer, Spanish
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 317, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

    Michelle A. Cipriano, M.A.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Senior Lecturer, Spanish
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 331, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

    Melissa Kay Doran, Ph.D.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Associate Professor, Spanish
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 330, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

    Ksenia Bonch Reeves, Ph.D.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Professor, Spanish; Associate Chair, SoSSIS
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 371, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

    Damaris Serrano, Ph.D.

    Department:
    Sch of Social Sci's & Int'l Studies
    Title:
    Professor, Spanish
    Address:
    Allyn Hall 346, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435-0001

     

     


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