91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ

Spanish Department

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Spanish major, a student will have demonstrated the ability to:

  • execute cultural and literary analyses, including close readings and setting works in their historical context;
  • read, write, speak and understand Spanish at, minimally, a high-intermediate level;
  • execute a sustained, original research project;
  • choose and define a pertinent topic from the major field;
  • develop a method appropriate to the research topic;
  • independently investigate that topic with the support of an advisor;
  • articulate a hypothesis and develop it through evidence and argument;
  • develop and use an appropriate critical bibliography;
  • write a coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project, and follows a style appropriate to the field;
  • orally present, discuss, and defend the work done.

The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at 91²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ and the level of student achievement in the major area is the senior thesis; the junior qualifying examination, which assesses a student's readiness for thesis, provides a second assessment tool. For more information on the thesis, see Thesis, and for more information on the Junior Qualifying Exam, see Spanish Major.