Hispanic and Italian Studies

Faculty

Professor
Lotfi Sayahi, Ph.D., Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Associate Professors
Ilka Kressner, Ph.D., University of Virginia (LLC Chair)
Olimpia Pelosi, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Carmen Serrano, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine

Assistant Professor
Sara L. Zahler, Ph.D., Indiana University

Visiting Assistant Professors
Stephen Bocskay, Ph.D., Brown University
Patrick Lawrence, Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Lecturers
J. Leonardo Correa, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Luis Cuesta, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Maria Keyes, M.A., University at Albany, SUNY
Elizabeth Lansing, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY
Dora Ramirez, Ph.D., University at Albany, SUNY

Adjuncts (estimated): 9
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 5

The Hispanic and Italian Studies program expects its students to become highly proficient in speaking, understanding, reading and writing the foreign language, as well as to develop a thorough knowledge of and an appreciation for literatures and cultures of the Spanish or Italian speaking world. Proficiency in language skills is regarded not only as an end in itself but also as a means of studying a foreign culture. A full program is offered leading to the B.A. in Spanish and there are opportunities for an interdisciplinary studies B.A. in Italian. Students may also choose to minor in Spanish and/or Italian.

Careers

Spanish majors are employed in a wide variety of occupations, including education, language services, healthcare, business, banking and finance, government and diplomacy, law and criminal justice, international non-profits, international aid and development, international research and data, media and publishing, communication and journalism. In today's United States, Spanish majors with bilingual skills have an edge over their peers.

Combining knowledge of Italian culture and language with a variety of other majors helps build a stronger employment portfolio. Business corporations have many prospects for bi- or multi-lingual employees with Italian skills, including sales and production, HR, training, accounting, finance, banking, healthcare, science and engineering. Utilizing Italian and other foreign languages strengthens credentials in teaching and academic research. Hospitality, airline, tourism, and entertainment industries seek multilingual staff. Translating and interpreting skills are important to diplomatic service, business, military intelligence, nonprofit/humanitarian organizations and international law.

Special Programs and Opportunities

The Hispanic and Italian Studies program also participates in interdisciplinary studies in conjunction with programs in the Departments of Art and Art History, History, Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies, Linguistics, Music and Theater, and in the School of Education.

The department encourages students to consider study abroad. For more information about available options, contact The Center for International Education and Global Strategy.

Use of the foreign language and the exchange of ideas are fostered through language clubs, colloquia, lectures, films and other activities.

The Student-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major in Italian Studies*

Students wishing to go beyond basic language instruction in Italian should meet with the Undergraduate Advisor to discuss proposing their own Interdisciplinary Major by blending courses from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and other academic departments on campus. Many departments on campus offer courses relevant to Italian Studies, including (but not limited to) Africana Studies, Anthropology, Art and Art History, English, History, Linguistics, Music and Theater, Philosophy, and Women’s Studies. See the guidelines for the Student-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major. 

Degree Requirements for the Major in Spanish

General Program B.A.:

A minimum of 36 credits in Spanish courses. Students take one track based on placement skills assessment.

Track 1: No Previous Spanish Experience

  • A SPN 100 Elementary Spanish l (4)
  • A SPN 101 Elementary Spanish ll (4)
  • A SPN 200 Intermediate Spanish l (3-4)
  • A SPN 201 Intermediate Spanish ll (3-4)
  • A SPN 206 Intermediate Conversation and Oral Grammar (3) 
  • A SPN 208 Spanish Composition and Conversation for non-Heritage Speakers of Spanish (3)
  • A SPN 303 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3)
  • A SPN 310 Introduction to Literary Methods (3)
  • 6 credits of A SPN coursework at 300 level or above that are not part of the chosen concentration (options listed below)
  • 15 credit concentration *All concentration courses are 300 level or above. Concentration options listed below

Track 2: Spanish Education in High School with 3 years of high school Spanish and/or Placement

  • A SPN 200 Intermediate Spanish l (3-4) *Placement is indicated by the grade of 85 or higher in the student’s third year of high school Spanish
  • A SPN 201 Intermediate Spanish ll (3-4)
  • A SPN 206 Intermediate Conversation and Oral Grammar (3)
  • A SPN 208 Spanish Composition and Conversation for non-Heritage Speakers of Spanish (3)
  • A SPN 303 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3)
  • A SPN 310 Introduction to Literary Methods (3)
  • 6 credits of A SPN coursework at 300 level or above that are not part of the chosen concentration (options listed below)
  • 15 credit concentration *All concentration courses are 300 level or above. Concentration options listed below

Track 3: Heritage Spanish Speakers

  • A SPN 105 Basic Spanish for Heritage Speakers (3) *Placement assessment can indicate that this course does not need to be taken.
  • A SPN 205 Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers (3) *Placement assessment can indicate that this course does not need to be taken
  • A SPN 209 Spanish Composition and Conversation for Heritage Speakers of Spanish (3)
  • A SPN 303 Introduction to Spanish Linguistics (3)
  • A SPN 310 Introduction to Literary Methods (3)
  • 6 credits of A SPN coursework at 300 level or above that are not part of the chosen concentration (options listed below)
  • 15 credit concentration *All concentration courses are 300 level or above. Concentration options are listed below

As noted in track outlines above, students must select one of two 15 credit concentrations:

Concentration Option #1: Hispanic Literatures and Cultures (15 credits)

  • 6 credits of 400 level Hispanic literatures and cultures coursework listed below
  • 6 credits of 400 level Spanish language, linguistics, teaching coursework listed below
  • 3 credit capstone: A SPN 443 Topics in Hispanic Literature (3)

or

Concentration Option #2: Spanish Language, Linguistics, Teaching (15 credits)

  • 6 credits of 400 level Hispanic literatures and cultures coursework listed below
  • 6 credits of 400 level Spanish language, linguistics, teaching coursework listed below
  • 3 credit capstone: Select A SPN 401 Spanish Phonetics and Phonology (3) or A SPN 403 Spanish for Teachers (3)

Electives: 6 credits of Spanish coursework at the 300 level or above that are not chosen as part of the concentration. Options listed below.

300 level Hispanic Literature Courses

  • A SPN 312 Representative Spanish Authors (3)
  • A SPN 315 Conflict and Progress in Modern Spain (3)
  • A SPN 316 (= A LCS 316) Representative Spanish-American Authors (3) *
  • A SPN 317 (= A LCS 317) Latin-American Civilization (3) *
  • A SPN 318 (= A LCS 314) Topics in Hispanic Film (3) *
  • A SPN 319 20th Century Spanish Literature (3)
  • A SPN 320 (= A LCS 319) 20th Century Spanish-American Literature (3) *
  • A SPN 322 (= A LCS 302) Los Latinos en Estados Unidos (3) *
  • A SPN 325 Hispanic Short Story (3) *
  • A SPN 326 (= A LCS 326) Spanish-American Poetry and Theatre (3) *
  • A SPN 333 Hispanic Literature in Translation (3)
  • A SPN 344 Women in Hispanic Literature (3)

400 Level Hispanic Literature Courses:

  • A SPN 414 (= A LCS 414) Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean (3) *
  • A SPN 417 Youth Cultures in Latin America (3)
  • A SPN 418 Hispanic Cinema and Literature (3)
  • A SPN 446 (= A LCS 446) Literature and Human Rights (3) *
  • A SPN 462 The Fantastic and Otherworldly in Latin American Literature (3)

400 Level Spanish Language, Linguistics, Teaching Courses:

  • A SPN 401 Spanish Phonetics and Phonology (3)
  • A SPN 402 Spanish Linguistics: Morphology and Syntax (3)
  • A SPN 403 Spanish for Teachers (3)
  • A SPN 404 Advanced Oral Communication (3)
  • A SPN 405 Evolution of the Spanish Language (3)
  • A SPN 406 Applied Translation (3)
  • A SPN 407 Business and Legal Spanish (3)
  • A SPN 408 Spanish Second Language Acquisition (3)
  • A SPN 409 Spanish for Community Engagement (3)
  • A SPN 442 Topics in the Spanish Language (3)
  • A SPN 490 Romance Linguistics (3)
  • A SPN 491 Forensic Spanish Linguistics (3)
  • A SPN 492 Introduction to Spanish Dialectology (3)
  • A SPN 493 Introduction to Latin American Dialectology (3)
  • A SPN 494 Spanish Sociolinguistics (3)
  • A SPN 495 Bilingualism and U.S. Spanish (3)

Honors Program in Spanish

The Honors Program in Spanish is designed to promote opportunities for advanced work to highly motivated, mature undergraduate majors and prepare them to do independent work. Students may apply for admission to the Honors Program no earlier than the beginning of the second semester of their sophomore year. To gain admission to the Program, students must have formally declared a major in Spanish and have completed at least 12 credits toward their major. In addition, they must have an overall GPA of at least 3.25, and 3.50 in their major, both of which must be maintained in order to graduate with honors.

Students must complete the minimum of 36 credits required for the major as well as a 4 credit Honors Thesis (A SPN 499) to be completed the semester in which they graduate. Students are required to take one additional course at the 400-500 level within the area of their concentration. This additional 400-500 level course does not increase the number of credits required for the major or for the Honors Program but only mandates that one of the student’s elective courses be at the most advanced level in the area of their concentration. The Honors Thesis should be a 25-40 page research project directed by a faculty member of the Spanish Program. Students interested in doing the Honors Program in Spanish should express that interest to their faculty mentor. The Honors Program liaison is currently Dr. Carmen Serrano ([email protected]).

Combined B.A./M.A. Program in Spanish

The combined B.A./M.A. program in Spanish provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master’s degree programs from the beginning of their junior year. A carefully designed program can permit a student to earn the B.A. and M.A. degrees within nine semesters.

The combined program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minor requirement, the minimum 90-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and course distribution requirements within their M.A. concentration, and successful completion of the M.A. exams. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.

Students may apply for admission to the combined degree program in Spanish at the beginning of their junior year or after the successful completion of 56 credits. Students entering the University with advanced standing in Spanish may be admitted after satisfying the core requirements: A SPN 205 or 206, 208 or 209, 303, 310, and one additional 300 level course. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.