Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 University Catalog 
    
2020-2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Spanish, B.A.: 120 units


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Offered by: College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, English and Modern Languages Department

The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program.

The B.A. in Spanish trains students in the key knowledge areas of literary studies, linguistics and intercultural competence, and it hones the essential skills of critical thinking, writing and argument, teamwork, communication, and public speaking-the very skills employers rate most highly. The internship program offered by the department, as well as its literary and cultural journal, study abroad opportunities, and emphasis on undergraduate research, set students on a course for community and global engagement. As a degree in literature and linguistics, the Spanish major directly prepares students for careers in education, translation/interpretation, and for entering M.A. and Ph.D. programs in linguistics, Spanish/Latin American literature, Latinx and Chicanx Studies, Latin American Studies and related academic fields. Students with a Spanish major are likewise prepared to enter M.A.-level professional programs in international business, journalism, social work, speech pathology or speech therapy, law, law enforcement and many other fields. The federal government seeks Spanish-speaking graduates for employment in civil service and diplomatic posts.

Because all classes are conducted in Spanish and all student work is completed in the target language, second-language learners of Spanish develop communicative skills to an ACTFL Advanced High proficiency level. In turn, native and heritage speakers increase metalinguistic knowledge and bilingual range. The major prepares students to work in professional environments in Spanish, and contextualizes U.S. Latino culture within the wide and varied Hispanic world.

California’s foreign language requirements for high school graduation and acceptance to the CSU are increasing the demand for teachers of Spanish in the public schools. The major is excellent preparation for students seeking to enter teacher credential programs, and is especially well-suited for those wishing to teach Spanish in middle or high school.  The Spanish B.A. grants subject matter competency, guaranteeing that a student has the linguistic and cultural knowledge necessary to teach Spanish.  To become a credentialed middle or high school teacher, candidates need to complete the Single Subject Credential program in the College of Education and Integrative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona or at another institution.  This is usually a fifth year of study that provides the necessary knowledge of pedagogy, as well as classroom practice.  Completion of the major in Spanish at Cal Poly Pomona allows students to demonstrate that they successfully meet the state subject matter requirement for the Single Subject Credential in Spanish. No CSET exam is required for graduates of the Spanish major at Cal Poly program. Students interested in pursuing a credential after graduating should initiate contact for appropriate advisement early in the undergraduate program with Dr. Amàlia Llombart of the English and Modern Languages Department.

Preparation for the Spanish Major

All majors must pass a written and oral proficiency test upon entrance to the program and another at the beginning of the junior year.

Major Electives: 24 units


Additional Elective SPN Course: (3)


Choose one additional course from the list of 3000-4000 level SPN courses.

Related Fields: (3)


Choose One

Unrestricted Electives: 21-30 units


Select a sufficient number of courses so that the total from “Major Required”, “Major Electives”, “GE”, and “Unrestricted Electives” is at least 120 units.

General Education Requirements: 48 units


Students should consult the Academic Programs website https://www.cpp.edu/~academic-programs/general-education-course-listings.shtml for current information regarding this requirement. Unless specific courses are required, please refer to the list of approved courses under General Education Requirements, Areas A through E.

  Course Term Taken Grade
Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication      
2. Written Communication      
3. Critical Thinking      
Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Physical Sciences      
2. Life Sciences      
3. Laboratory Activity      
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning      
5. Science and Technology Synthesis      
Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts      
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization      
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis      
Area D. Social Sciences (12 units)
At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals      
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government      
3. Social Sciences: Principles, Methodologies, Value Systems, and Ethics      
4. Social Science Synthesis      
Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)      

For an alternative and interdisciplinary way to complete some of their GE requirements, students may choose the Interdisciplinary General Education program, see below. 

Interdisciplinary General Education: 21 units


An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program.  Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major.  Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

Year Completion of IGE Courses Satisfies GE Requirements
Freshman IGE 1100 , IGE 1200   A2 and C2
Sophomore IGE 2100 , IGE 2200   C1 and C2
Junior IGE 2300 , IGE 2400   D1 and D3
Senior IGE 3100   C3 or D4

American Institutions: 6 units


Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Areas D1 and D2.

American Cultural Perspectives Requirement: 3 units


Refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for a list of courses that satisfy this requirement.  Course may also satisfy major, minor, GE, or unrestricted elective requirements.

Graduation Writing Test


All persons who receive undergraduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT).  The test must be taken by the semester following completion of 60 units for undergraduates.

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