Spanish (Major, Minors and Teacher Certification)

• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Modern Languages Department website

Degree Overview

The offerings in Modern Languages develop language proficiency and cultural awareness through collaborative classes where effective communication is the primary goal. Advanced courses in the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish degree contribute to knowledge about the Spanish-speaking world and the history and structure of the Spanish language and its literature. These courses allow students to read and respond in writing to Spanish-language authors in Spanish, since all advanced courses are taught in the language using authentic texts. Students also interact in Spanish to promote language competence approaching that of native speakers.

Faculty

• Dr. Amalia Mondríguez, Professor (Ph.D., Harvard University)
  Specialist in the literature and culture of Latin America and Spain, with research on literature by women authors. Also a creative writer of short stories, songs, and a novel.
• Dr. Sally Said, Professor (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin)
  Linguist who has studied Spanish dialects and language acquisition. Additionally, co-author of a bilingual collection of Sudanese folktales and currently working with Native American literacy.
• Dr. Michael Tallon, Associate Professor (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin)
  Specialist in language teaching and second language acquisition. Research interests include heritage language students and foreign language anxiety.

Career advantages of fluent written and spoken Spanish

As business, government, and non-governmental agencies expand their interests into the global network, English serves as a lingua franca for this expansion, but true communication and cultural understanding require that U.S. participants also learn other languages. Increasingly, language ability in Spanish is a desired or required skill for jobs in international enterprises. In the U.S., the Latino population is the fastest growing segment, and this is especially true for Texas. Along with population growth has come a rise in concern for Spanish as a heritage language. Spanish-language media and advertising have increased, providing more demand for educated writers and speakers of the language. Spanish is needed also in the area of social services, in hospitals, and in the courts. High school Spanish teachers and bilingual teachers for the lower grades are actively recruited.

Where our alumni are working and studying

• Teaching at the elementary and high school levels
• Translating in immigration, religious mission, and medical fields
• Spanish language television news
• Studying in medical school, graduate school, and law school

Contact

Dr. Michael Tallon, Chair
Department of Modern Languages
University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway
San Antonio TX 78209
(210) 805-5891
tallon@uiwtx.edu