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Q. Who should take the foreign language placement exam?
A. We want all students to take the foreign language placement test in any language that they studied for two or more years in high school. You may feel that, for now, you don't wish to continue in that language, but it has been our experience that students often change their minds later.
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Q. Can I start Spanish from the begriming, even if I was placed at a higher level?
A. Definitely not. While you may feel a bit apprehensive about the level you have been placed into, we recommend that you register at that level; if, at the end of the first week of classes, you are struggling, let us know if you still feel that you've been misplaced. It's not uncommon for a student to forget a lot of what he or she has learned, but much of that will come back after hearing the language again. Generally a student will understand most of what is said to him or her in class after a week or two of "warming up." Please do not hesitate to consult with Dr. Deveny (x2465) or Dr. McNichols (x2461) if, after two class periods, you still feel you have been misplaced.
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Q. What courses can I take to help me decide to major/minor in Spanish?
A. You will start by taking the placement test over the summer before you arrive. Register for the course that the test places you into. Another course you may wish to consider taking is Dr. McNichols' First-Year Seminar course, "Latino Culture in the United States." It is a great way to learn about Latino issues, bond with other students who may major in Spanish, and get to know one of our Spanish faculty members!
If you'd like to see some of the work done by last year's Latino Culture in the U.S. seminar, check out the web page that they put together!
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Q. How many classes do I need to take to get a Spanish major?
A. The Spanish major consists of 40 credits' worth of courses. That could mean 10 courses at McDaniel College, but not necessarily. It could be less, depending on what level you placed into at McDaniel College.
Our department waives the credits for courses below that into which you have placed. These waived credits do NOT count toward the total you need to graduate with a BA from McDaniel College, but they do allow you to advance toward the completion of the major more quickly, freeing you up to finish early, get a second major or a minor. We will waive up to 12 credits toward the major or minor.
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How does this work? If you place into Spanish 1103 and declare a major in Spanish, we will waive 4 credits (for 1101). This means that, after successfully completing Spanish 1103 you are 8 credits closer to completing the major, and you have 32 left. If you place into 2211, we waive 8 credits, and you'll have 12 after completing 2211. If you place into Spanish 3301, we waive 12 credits, and you will have 16 behind you when you finish 3301.
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Q. I took three-credit courses at another institution. How do they count?
A. While McDaniel College courses are generally worth 4 credits each, transfer credits from another college or from your study abroad experience can be worth 3 credits. While we will accept such a course as fulfilling a given Basic Liberal Arts Requirement (with the approval of the appropriate department), you will still need to meet the required number of credits to fulfill the Spanish major (40).
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Q. What kinds of classes can I take for the major?
A.In the Spanish program we offer language, literature, translation and culture courses. The culture courses can include film, art, music, history, current events and other special topics. Our literature courses give you the opportunity to build your vocabulary through reading, practice your speaking skills through class discussions, develop your writing skills through essays and journal-writing, and provide you with important insight into the finer points of Spanish and Spanish American culture, about which you may not be very familiar. Our language courses will incorporate all of the above, but with a special focus on teaching you the mechanics of the language.
Although it is not required, you may also take ONE course in English on a topic related in some way to Spain or Latin America. Among those already approved are: SPA/HIS/CCS 2223 (The Cultural History of Latin America), SPA 1150FR (Latino Culture in the United States), HIS 2265 (Special Topics course called "Modern Latin America"), PSI 3310 (Politics of Developing Areas), and MUS 2212 (World Music: Hispanic Music).
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Q. I'd like to become a Spanish teacher. What should I do?
A. At McDaniel College, you may minor in Education. It is very, very important that you begin your Education minor as early as possible--and preferably in your first semester at the College. If you are even considering majoring in Spanish and minoring in Education, contact the Education Department as soon as possible at (410) 857-2501.
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Q. I want to study abroad. How does that work?
A. McDaniel College Study Abroad works with a number of Spanish-speaking countries all over Latin America and Spain. There are other programs that you may be able to enroll in if you plan more than a semester in advance; this would give us time to check out the program's credentials and determine if we would like to set up a relationship with it (if it satisfies our academic standards). Some recommendations:
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- Start to plan as early as possible—it's never too soon! Most students consult with Ms. Rose Falkner, the Study Abroad Director (BMC 103, rfalkner@mcdaniel.edu, x3376) during the first semester of their sophomore year if they wish to study abroad during their junior year.
- Study abroad is affordable. Make an appointment with Rose Falkner to discuss any concerns you may have about your financial aid situation .
- You're not a Spanish major? No matter!! Many destinations offer a full range of courses in a variety of fields. You just need to consult with your academic advisor and a Spanish professor early on so that you can plan your coursework and not fall behind in your major/minor field. Some majors are trickier than others in this respect; don't forget that there are many wonderful summer study options available throughout the Spanish-speaking world!
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Q. Can I still to major in Spanish if I can't spend a semester abroad?
A. You have two options. You can reside in the Spanish House for two semesters, or IN SPECIAL CASES, a student can enroll in a study abroad program of AT LEAST 12 WEEKS, but over the summer. This latter option is available only with the approval of a Spanish faculty member. Please discuss this with your advisor.
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Q. What is the difference between a "double major" and a "dual major"?
A. A foreign language can be an excellent (and sometimes necessary!) complement to a major in another field, particularly if you would like your professional life to have a global focus (REWORD THIS) or intend to work with a particular immigrant group. You should discuss with an advisor which of the two options would be best for you.
- Dual major: If you choose to complete a dual major, you will graduate with one degree. You will have required courses in both departments, but not as many courses in each respective department as you would for each individual major. The programs we currently offer in Spanish are: Communication/Spanish (64 hours), Economics/Spanish (68 hours), Spanish/History (60 hours), Spanish/Political Science (60 hours), Spanish/Sociology (64 hours)
- Double major: If you choose to complete a double major, you will graduate with two degrees, one in each chosen field, and you will satisfy all requirements for each major. This means that if you choose to double major in Spanish and Communications, you will complete 40 hours in Spanish, and 44 in Communications, for a total of 84 credits. Many students prefer to exercise this option, especially if they placed into a higher-level Spanish course upon their arrival, and consequently had 8 or more credits waived toward the major in Spanish. A number of students prefer this option because it allows them to take the full range of courses in each major, therefore sharpening their linguistic skills and broadening their knowledge base in the second major.
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Q. What about the Spanish Minor?
A. The Spanish minor consists of 24 credit hours of coursework. As it is for the Spanish major, you may also have up to 12 credits waived for placement in a higher level of Spanish (see above: "How many classes do I need to take to get a Spanish major?"). Although not required, you may take one class in English (Cultural History of Spain, Cultural History of Latin America) that will count toward the Minor. We generally advise students to continue taking Spanish classes throughout their four years at McDaniel if they intend to use the language professionally; as we say, "If you don't use it, you will lose it." It takes years to develop a high enough level of proficiency to become truly functional in a variety of settings.
If you stop taking courses at or after the intermediate level (Spanish 2211 or 2212), the chances are very good that you will forget more than you ever learned by the time you graduate. Another option is to find a way to use the language on a regular basis through volunteer work (see below). This is not the best way, but it is better than nothing, and we'd love to see you help out the Spanish-speaking community!
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Q. Do you have any service learning or volunteer opportunities?
A. Yes.
Palabras-to-Words, or “P2W” as students call it, is a new student organization that seeks to bring together the campus and the Spanish-speaking community. The main mission of these dedicated volunteers is to offer free English tutoring. The group has been featured in the Carroll County Times and the Baltimore Sun!
The Hispano-Latino Alliance is an organization that seeks to promote Latino culture on campus. This year’s activities have included:
- The "Noche Latina" in Englar Dining Hall, for which the club chose a menu of authentic Latin American cooking for the student community to enjoy together with P2W, the Hispano-Latino Alliance invited members of the campus and Westminster communities to a special night of Latin dance.
- The HLA sponsored a DJ and provided salsa and bachata lessons to an enthusiastic group of people! You can see the pictures on the Spanish department website.
- This spring the group will begin a long-term outreach project, seeking to make connections with Latino youth in Maryland. Stay tuned for details!
We have a number of opportunities for outreach work with the growing Latino community of Carroll County. We currently have students reading Spanish books at the public library, assisting with the Rape Crisis Center of Carroll County, and collaborating with United Hands of Carroll County.
La Casa Española Our Spanish House's activities include trips to cultural events in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, "tertulias" or conversation tables every Tuesday and Thursday evening and a promise that your apartment mates will speak only Spanish. Wouldn't it be great to live with people who love the language and culture as much as you do?
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Q. What about after graduation?
A. Do you know that the most recent estimated Hispanic population of the United States is 39.9 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau? That means that Hispanics make up 13.7 percent of the U.S. population. Projections indicate that by 2050 that number will soar to 25 percent! This is not to say that all Americans of Hispanic descent speak Spanish, but many strive to maintain their cultural ties, and language is an important part of that heritage. Consequently, public services are always seeking employees who are able to reach out to Spanish speakers, and companies in the private sector are investing heavily in marketing to this sector of the population. Spanish majors may seek jobs in a variety of fields, including government, the arts, media, entertainment, industry, tourism, translation, and education. This will increase your marketability!
Spanish majors may also seek graduate and professional degrees. You may wish to get a Master's or Doctoral degree in Spanish language, literature and culture, but did you know that fluency in a foreign language is desirable in a wide range of disciplines, as it will facilitate research in the Spanish-speaking communities of the world. There is also an ever-increasing need for legal and health care professionals who can communicate effectively in Spanish.
You may also wish to consider long-term service and volunteer work after graduating. The Peace Corps is one of many fantastic opportunities to see the Spanish-speaking world in a more personal and meaningful way. Dr. McNichols spent over a year working in a children's home in Bolivia after receiving her B.A., and would love to help you explore this option if you would like to have a unique and life-changing experience abroad or here in the United States! Send an email to set up an appointment with her!
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Q. Are there any particular technology issues I should be aware of?
A. The Department of Foreign Languages has a state-of-the-art computer lab in BMC 118. You may use this lab for most of your work outside of class, for everything from word processing in English and other languages to audiovisual and Internet activities prepared by your professors. Some students have made use of digital video equipment borrowed through the library, and use labs on campus to edit their own videos. Most of your computer work for our courses can be completed using the College's computer facilities.
It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase a flash (or jump) drive to carry class presentations (particularly when they include large files) and other projects from your computer or computer labs to your classroom.
If you would like to purchase your own computer, we recommend that you have a Microsoft Office package that contains PowerPoint and Word. You should be sure to have all the disks available to install the Spanish module on your computer as well.
In some courses students are designing web pages, listening to streamed audio, and watching streamed video. Those who have high speed access from home find it easier to do their work off campus if they choose to do so.
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