Department of Spanish Studies

Mission and Goals:

The Department of Spanish Studies supports the missions of the university and the School of Arts and Letters offering academic excellence through the study of language, literature, and culture, and prepares the students to become proficient linguistically and culturally in a multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual society and be able to communicate successfully. Applying the National Standards for Foreign Language in the four basic areas of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

To help students develop specific levels of language proficiency that equip them for success in professional pursuits, in personal com­munication needs or in continued academic undertakings. These proficiency level goals, measured by guidelines developed and recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, are:

a. End of year in elementary language courses—Novice High

b. End of year in intermediate language courses—Intermediate Low

c. End of year in junior level courses—Intermediate High

d. End of year in senior level courses—Advanced for students with a B average in the course.

Special Programs and Opportunities

Departmental Awards Each year, the outstanding students in elemen­tary and intermediate language courses are recognized in the all-uni­versity awards ceremony. At the same ceremony, the Gertrude Looney scholarship is awarded to the outstanding junior language student, and the Elizabeth Myatt award is presented to the outstanding senior language student.

Sigma Delta Pi is a national Spanish Honor Society, with a chapter at McMurry, that distinguishes students who have completed 18 hours in Spanish (or have the equivalent proficiency), have a 3.00 average in Spanish, a 2.75 average overall, and who have completed at least one advanced course in Spanish literature or civilization.

Departmental Honors for Spanish. Please see the description of the Honors Program under the Special Program section earlier in the catalog.