Hispanic and Italian Studies

Faculty

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

Associate Professors
Ilka Kressner, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
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

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): 11
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 8

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 interdisciplinary studies 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 teaching, state and federal service, law, U.S. Foreign Service, media, communications, public relations, human resources, healthcare, airline, travel, hospitality and entertainment industries, finance and banking, in any business or organization working with Spanish-speaking countries or customers. 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, from sales and production to 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 Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino/a Studies, Linguistics, the School of Education, and the Departments of Art, History and Music.

The International Institute in Madrid, Spain, which has been in place since 1970, offers summer courses, semester-long and year-long study abroad options. Study abroad programs also are available in Valencia, Spain; The Dominican Republic; and Costa Rica. For more information, see 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 may propose 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, English, History, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy and Women’s Studies. See the guidelines for the Student-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduateeducation/interdisciplinary_studies.php. 

The Interdisciplinary Major must consist of at least 36 but not more than 66 credits. If the major includes fewer than 54 credits, the student will need a separate minor to meet graduation requirements. If the major includes 54 or more credits, the student will not need to declare a separate minor.

At least half of the total credits in the Interdisciplinary Major must be at the 300 level or above. Up to 25% of the credits earned toward the Interdisciplinary Major may take the form of independent study courses.

The Interdisciplinary Major must have at least two faculty sponsors, one primary and one secondary, with the primary sponsor serving as the student’s major advisor. The two sponsors must be faculty members of academic rank (i.e. Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor) and must come from two different academic departments offering courses included in the proposed major.

Formal application to initiate an Interdisciplinary Major must be made through the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education located in Lecture Center 30 (442-3950). In order to apply, a student must have already completed at least 30 general credits toward graduation. Proposals will be reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Studies Committee of the Undergraduate Academic Council.

For further information and advising, please contact the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (Humanities 235, phone 442-4100).

*Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2011 who are declared Italian majors or Italian Honors majors, should consult the previous Undergraduate Bulletin year appropriate to their date of matriculation as well as their DARS Degree Audits for their own graduation requirements. Previous Undergraduate Bulletins are available online at: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin_archive/2021-2022/previous_bulletins.html.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Spanish

General Program B.A.: Students majoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of 36 credits in Spanish while fulfilling one of two specializations: (1) Hispanic literatures and cultures, or (2) Spanish language, linguistics, teaching. These credits must be distributed as follows:

Core (15 credits): A SPN 201 (formerly A SPN 104), A SPN 205 or 206, A SPN 208 or 209 (formerly A SPN 301), A SPN 303 (formerly A SPN 496), and A SPN 310 (formerly A SPN 223). Advanced speakers of Spanish may replace 200-level core requirements with more advanced coursework.

Specialization (15 credits):

Hispanic Literatures and Cultures: 6 credits of 400-level Spanish language, linguistics, teaching coursework from A SPN 401-410, 442, 490-496; 6 credits of 400-level Hispanic literatures and cultures coursework from A SPN 414-482 (except 442); and 3 credit capstone A SPN 443.

or

Spanish Language, Linguistics, Teaching: 6 credits of 400-level Hispanic literatures and cultures coursework from A SPN 414-482 (except 442); 6 credits of 400 level Spanish language, linguistics, teaching coursework from A SPN 401-410, 442, 490-496; and a 3 credit capstone from A SPN 401 or 403.

Electives (6 credits): Spanish coursework at the 300 level or above. (A LIN 220 may replace one elective in the Spanish language, linguistics, teaching specialization.)

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 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 required to take one additional course at the 400-500 level within the area of their specialization. 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 specialization. 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 (formerly 301), 310 (formerly 223), 303 (formerly 496), 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.