Hispanic and Italian Studies
Associate Professor EmeritusFaculty
Armand F. Baker, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
Associate Professors
Olimpia Pelosi, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Joana Sabadell-Nieto, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Lotfi Sayahi, Ph.D.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Maurice Westmoreland, Ph.D.
University of Illinois
Assistant Professors
Hernan Diaz, Ph.D.
New York University
Ilka Kressner, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
Lecturers
Maria Josefa Dorronsoro Estebanez, M.A.
Ministry of Science and Education, Spain
Maria Keyes, M.A.
University at Albany
Elizabeth Lansing, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Aida Torres-Horwitt, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Adjuncts (estimated): 10
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 10
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 the literature and civilization. Proficiency in language skills is regarded not only as an end in itself but also as a means of studying a foreign culture. Full programs are offered leading to the B.A. in Spanish and Italian.
Careers
Combining Italian with another foreign language taught in schools, such as Spanish, French or English, at the undergraduate or graduate level would provide students with strong credentials for teaching positions. Opportunities for occupations requiring Italian or bilingual background would also be enhanced. Graduates usually teach Italian or are involved with bilingual education. Others work for airlines that fly to Italy and with American companies doing business there.
Occupational areas in which Spanish majors have been employed are teaching, public relations, state and federal service, foreign service of the U.S., airlines, travel agencies, and in businesses dealing with Spanish-speaking countries.
Special Programs and Opportunities
The Hispanic and Italian Studies program also participates in interdisciplinary studies in conjunction with programs in Latin American studies, linguistics, the School of Education, and the Departments of Art, History and Music.
A year abroad program was initiated at the International Institute in Madrid, Spain in 1970. Study abroad programs also are available in Valencia, Spain; Campinas, Brazil; Medellin, Colombia; Costa Rica; and Cuernavaca, Mexico. For more information, see Office of International Education. Use of the foreign language and the exchange of ideas are fostered through language clubs, colloquia, lectures and other activities in the program.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Italian
General Program B.A.: A minimum of 35 credits including A ITA 103, 104, 206, 207, 223, 301Z, 313, 315 and nine additional credits at or above the 300 level, six of which must be at the 400 level.
Honors Program in Italian
The honors program in Italian 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 after the beginning of the second semester of their sophomore year. To gain admission to the program students must have formally declared a major in Italian 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 a minimum of 41 credits, including a 4 credit Honors Thesis (A ITA 499), as well as 34 credits normally required for the major, and a 400-level literature course in addition to those required for the major. Specific requirements are as follows: Italian core: (22 credits) A ITA 103, 104, 206, 207, 301Z, 313, and 421.
Fifteen additional credits must be at the 300 level or above, including 6 credits of literature courses at or above the 400 level. In addition, the student must write a thesis based on Italian literature or culture.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Spanish
General Program B.A.: A student wishing to major in Spanish may choose one of three sequences offered by the program. All students must take a minimum of 36 credits in Spanish courses above the 104 level, including A SPN 205 or A SPN 206 (or an additional 3 credit Spanish course above the 104 level), A SPN 223, A SPN 301 or 301Z, A SPN 312 and A SPN 316. Students must also take additional courses in Spanish, unless otherwise indicated, according to the requirements of their sequence, as follows.
Literature Concentration *
A minimum of 18 credits to include the following: (1) 1 literature course at the 300 level; (2) 2 literature courses at the 400 level; (3) 2 language courses above A SPN 301Z; (4) one civilization course.
Language Concentration *
A minimum of 18 credits to include the following: (1) 1 literature course above A SPN 316; (2) A SPN 401 or 402; (3) 2 language or linguistics courses at the 400 level; (4) 2 additional courses as advised. A LIN 220 may be counted as one of these courses.
Secondary Education Concentration *
A minimum of 18 credits to include the following: A SPN 401 (formerly 305) and 403 and (1) 1 literature course at the 300 level; (2) 1 literature course at the 400 level; (3) 1 civilization course; (4) 1 additional course as advised.
*Course Categories for Spanish Major Concentrations
Language courses include A SPN 302, 401 (formerly 305), 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 410Z.
Civilization courses include A SPN 314, 315, 317, 318, 322, 418, 453, 454.
Literature courses include A SPN 319, 320, 323, 325, 326, 333, 344, 410Z, 414, 418, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 481, 482.
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, and no later than the end of the second semester of their junior 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 36 credits required for the major as well as a 4 credit Honors Thesis (A SPN 499) to be done the semester in which they graduate. Students are additionally 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 first should express that interest to their faculty mentor.
Combined B.A./M.A. Program
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 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 requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience and residency requirements. 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, 223, 301 (or 301Z), 312, and 316). A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.
