Undergraduate Program in Spanish

Major and Minor in Spanish

"Los Mulatos de Esmeraldas." Don Francisco de Arobe y sus dos hijos. Quito, Ecuador, 1599

"Los Mulatos de Esmeraldas." Don Francisco de Arobe y sus  hijos. Quito, Ecuador, 1599.

Introduction

The Spanish Program at Howard University welcomes students from all disciplines to learn about the Peoples and Cultures of the Spanish speaking world with an emphasis on the contributions of African descendants. Students improve their Spanish language skills in a variety of courses to prepare them for careers and lives across the globe. INVITING ALL STUDENTS TO BECOME MAJORS OR MINORS IN SPANISH! DOUBLE MAJORS ARE WELCOME!

Why Study Spanish?

The Spanish Program is housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures (DWLC).​ Students can take Spanish language courses as well as courses on Afro-Hispanic, Latin-American, and Spanish literature, culture, film and music that can lead to a major or a minor in Spanish. 

All over the world, more than 450 million people speak Spanish, making it the second most spoken language. It is spoken in Spain, Latin-America, Equatorial Guinea, Western Sahara, Philippines, and some other areas of the world, and it is important to the African Diaspora in these and other countries, including the USA. Learning the language will allow students to experience the rich cultures and histories of these nations/groups.

In the United States, more than 43 million people speak Spanish as a first language (about 13 percent of the population) and that number continues to grow. Additionally, the United States is home to nearly 12 million bilingual Spanish speakers. This makes it the second-largest Spanish speaking country in the world (after Mexico).

​Learning Spanish and studying the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries allows students to make connections with other communities within the African Diaspora as well as to be more competitive in the global market. Students who take courses in the Spanish Program at Howard University have the opportunity to explore their personal and professional interests within the context of another language and culture.

 

Coordinator of Spanish Program

Dr. Mercedes Tibbits

mtibbits@howard.edu

Locke Hall, 332

Major in Spanish

The Spanish Major at Howard University invites students to explore the rich cultures and languages of the Spanish-speaking world, emphasizing the contributions of African descendants. The program requires 36 credit hours (27 credit hours of required courses and 9 of elective courses), including courses in grammar, oral communication, and Afro-Hispanic literature. Students will also complete a Capstone Experience through an exam, community project, or essay, preparing them for global careers and lives.

You can learn more about the Capstone Experience here.

Spanish Major Required Courses

(27 credit hours)
Course Number and Title Credit Hours Description Prerequisites
Span 040: Grammar Structures 3 A core course in the major-minor sequence which includes a thorough review of and practice with major elements of Spanish syntax and grammar. SPAN 004 or Score of 5 or 6 in the LPE.
Span 050: Oral Communication I 3 Oral Communication I. A course designed to develop speaking and listening skills through a variety of instructional strategies. SPAN 004 or Score of 5 or 6 in the LPE.
Span 051: Oral Communication II 3 A continuation of SPAN 050. Prerequisites: SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 052: Reading and Writing 3 Designed to develop the specific skills of reading and writing in Spanish. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 060: Analysis of Afro-Hispanic Literature 3 Students will engage critically with representative texts (narrative, poetry, performance, visual culture) concerning Afro-Hispanic experiences and perspectives. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Choose Span 080 OR Span 081
Span 080: Diversity and Unification in Spain 3 Social, political, and cultural topics in Spain from 1492 to 1700. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 081: Contemporary Spain 3 Social, political and cultural topics in Spain from 1700 to present. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Choose Span 083 OR Span 084
Span 083: Formation of Hispanic America 3 Introduces students to social, political, and cultural topics in Hispanic America from 1492 to 1900 such as colonialism, Indigenous writers, mestizaje and African and Afrodescendant lived experiences. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 084: Contemporary Hispanic America 3 Independence, modernization and globalization in Hispanic America from 1900 to the present. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 085: Afrolatinidad Experiences: Cultures, Race, Nations 3 Compares the Afro-Latinx and Afro-Latina/o experiences with those of African and African descents in Hispanic Africa, Europe, and U.S. Examines the politics of race in the construction of identities and nations. Shows also how the quest for social justice by Hispanic Africans and Afro-Latinx, Afro-Latina/o is sought throughout history, art, film, literature, music, religion, thoughts, etc. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 086: Migrations and Identities 3 Continuation of Span 085. Shows how cultural productions and films are produced in historical, social, and ideological contexts and can reproduce the discourses on politics of migrations and identities. Examines also how these politics raise the questions of human rights, citizenship and discrimination in respect to Africans and African descents in Africa, Latin America, Europe, and U. S. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.

Spanish Major Elective Courses

(9 credit hours)
Course Number and Title Credit Hours Description Prerequisites
Span 064: Spanish for the Media 3 Spanish for the Media. Intended for students interested in the news media. Includes writing news articles and preparing and interpreting broadcasting programs for radio and television. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 065: Simultaneous Interpretation I 3 Simultaneous Interpretation I. Introduces students to the basic techniques of escort, consecutive, and particularly simultaneous interpretation. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 066: Simultaneous Interpretation II 3 Simultaneous Interpretation II. Focuses on more advanced techniques of simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. SPAN 040, SPAN 050 and SPAN 065.
Span 067: Introduction to Spanish-English Translation 3 Introduction to Spanish-English Translation. Introduces students to the profession of translation and develops their ability to translate from Spanish into English, expanding their vocabulary in Spanish. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 068: Advances Spanish-English Translation 3 Advanced Spanish-English Translation. Continuation of SPAN 067. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, SPAN 052, and SPAN 067.
Span 077: Advanced Composition 3 Course in advanced prose writing stressing control of syntactic structures and stylistic devices. SPAN 040, SPAN 050 and SPAN 052.
Span 078: Advanced Business Spanish 3 Prepares students to engage with the business world in Spanish. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 079: Spain and Latin America Through Film 3 A study of Spanish-speaking countries through film, from cultural, sociological and technical points of view. SPAN 040, and SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 089: Afro-Hispanic Peoples and Cultures 3 Afro-Hispanic Peoples and Cultures. A course on the literary and other cultural contributions of African descendants in the Spanish-speaking world seen through the lenses of history, politics and society. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.

Afro-Hispanic Cluster

Course Number Course Title
Span 060 Analysis of Afro-Hispanic Literature.
Span 085 Afrolatinidad Experiences. Cultures, Race and Nations.
Span 086 Migrations and Identities.
Span 089 Afro-Hispanic Peoples and Cultures.

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION

In addition to the 36 required hours, Spanish majors must complete the “Capstone Experience”. To qualify for graduation, Spanish Majors must complete one of the following and inform of their decision to the Spanish Coordinator as soon as they have made a choice, but no later than the end of the semester before they plan to graduate. Please check “Timeline” for deadlines. Students who do not meet the deadlines will not be allowed to graduate.

Comprehensive Examination

  1. A set of 10 questions on each area [Afro-Hispanic, Latin-America, Peninsular] will be given to students by 15 September / 15 January of the semester they plan to take the exam. Up to the end of October /February, students are welcome to consult with faculty members regarding the questions. The exam will include 3-4 of those questions in each area, which students will answer in essay form, in Spanish.
  2. A composition in Spanish on a subject indicated to the students the day of the exam.
  3. An oral interview of about ten minutes in Spanish on general and academic issues to be conducted by a panel of two or more professors.

Capstone Community Project

By 10 November / 30 March of their graduation semester, and with the supervision of a tenured faculty member, students will have preformed a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer work for an organization which serves the Hispanic community. Students will have written a 5-10 page report on their work, in Spanish. At the end of their graduation semester, students who select this option will make a 10 minute presentation to the DWLC on their experience.

Capstone Essay

By 30 October / 15 March of their graduation semester, students will complete a 15-20 page research essay. Students will work with the supervision of two full-time professors, one of which must be a tenured professor. The essay must include sources other than textbooks, and it must follow the MLA format. At the end of their graduation semester, students who select this option will make a 10 minute presentation to the DWLC on their research.

Capstone Experience Timetable

Fall / Spring Dates

These are absolute deadlines. Students are encouraged to complete their work ahead of schedule.

30 October / 30 March SEMESTER PRIOR to graduation.

Students must inform the Spanish Coordinator of their choice [Comprehensive Examination (CEx), Capstone Community Project (CCP), Capstone Essay (CEs)] as soon as they have made a decision, but no later than 30 November / 30 April prior to graduation semester.

15 September / 15 January of graduation semester.

(CEx)

  • Students will receive a set of 10 questions on each area [Afro-Hispanic, Latin-America, Peninsular] on which the CCEx will be based. Up to the end of October or February, students are welcome to consult with faculty members regarding the questions.

(CCP)

Students will have:

  • identified the professor who will supervise their work (the “supervisor”)
  • identified the organization where they will volunteer.
  • filled out the “contract” and turned it in to the Supervisor or to the Coordinator.

(CEs)

Students will have:

  • chosen the theme of their essay.
  • identified the main professor who will supervise the project.

30 October / 15 March of graduation semester

(CEx)

  • Students will take the written part of the comprehensive exam.

(CCP)

  • Students will have completed most of their volunteer hours.

(CEs)

  • Students will turn in their completed essay to their Supervisor.

10 November / 30 March before graduation

(CEx)

  • Students will have taken the oral part of the comprehensive exam.

(CCP)

Students will have:

  • completed their volunteer hours.
  • turned in a 5-10 page report on their work, in Spanish, to their Supervisor, who will help the student correct the report. This report will be the basis for the student’s oral presentation to the DWLC.

(CEs)

Students will have:

  • made all corrections suggested by the Supervisor.
  • turned in a corrected copy of their essay to the Supervisor.

20 November / 5 April before graduation

(CCP)

  • Students will give a copy of their corrected report to the Spanish Coordinator.

(CEs)

  • Students will have finished correcting their essay and turned it in to the Spanish Coordinator.

30 November / 10 April before graduation

(CCP)

  • Students will have made a presentation of their work to the DWLC.

(CEs)

  • Students will have made a presentation of their essay to the DWLC.

Minor in Spanish

The Spanish Minor at Howard University offers a comprehensive foundation in Spanish language skills, requiring 15 credit hours for freshmen and sophomores (9 credit hours of required courses and 6 of elective courses) and 18 credit hours for juniors and seniors (9 credit hours of required courses and 9 of elective courses). The elective course requirement has to be fulfilled with courses both from the Afro-Hispanic Cluster and courses above Span 052.  The program includes courses in grammar, oral communication, and reading and writing, with electives focusing on Afro-Hispanic culture, enhancing cultural competency and global competitiveness.

Spanish Minor Required Courses: 9 Credit Hours

Course Number and Title Credit Hours Description Prerequisites
Span 040: Grammar Structures 3 A core course in the major-minor sequence which includes a thorough review of and practice with major elements of Spanish syntax and grammar. SPAN 004 or Score of 5 or 6 in the LPE.
Span 050: Oral Communication I 3 A course designed to develop speaking and listening skills through a variety of instructional strategies. SPAN 004 or Score of 5 or 6 in the LPE.
Span 052: Reading and Writing 3 Designed to develop the specific skills of reading and writing in Spanish. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.

Spanish Minor Electives: Juniors and Seniors 6 credit hours (freshmen and sophomores 3) from the Afro-Hispanic cluster.

Afro-Hispanic Cluster:
Course Number and Title Credit Hours Description Prerequisites
Span 060: Analysis of Afro-Hispanic Literature. 3 Students will engage critically with representative texts (narrative, poetry, performance, visual culture) concerning Afro-Hispanic experiences and perspectives. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 085: Afrolatinidad Experiences. Cultures, Race and Nations. 3 Compares the Afro-Latinx and Afro-Latina/o experiences with those of African and African descents in Hispanic Africa, Europe, and U.S. Examines the politics of race in the construction of identities and nations. Shows also how the quest for social justice by Hispanic Africans and Afro-Latinx, Afro-Latina/o is sought throughout history, art, film, literature, music, religion, thoughts, etc. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 086: Migrations and Identities. 3 Shows how cultural productions and films are produced in historical, social, and ideological contexts and can reproduce the discourses on politics of migrations and identities. Examines also how these politics raise the questions of human rights, citizenship and discrimination in respect to Africans and African descents in Africa, Latin America, Europe, and U. S. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 089: Afro-Hispanic Peoples and Cultures. 3 A course on the literary and other cultural contributions of African descendants in the Spanish-speaking world seen through the lenses of history, politics and society. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.

Spanish Minor Electives: 3 credit hours from any course above SPAN 052

Courses above 052:
Course Number and Title Credit Hours Description Prerequisites
Span 055: Advanced Oral Expression. 3 An advanced level course to develop aural/oral fluency in Spanish. using written discourses on a variety of cultural, social, and professional themes, issues, topics. SPAN 040, SPAN 050 and SPAN 051.
Span 064: Spanish for the Media. 3 Intended for students interested in the news media. Includes writing news articles and preparing and interpreting broadcasting programs for radio and television. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 065: Simultaneous Interpretation I. 3 Introduces students to the basic techniques of escort, consecutive, and particularly simultaneous interpretation. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 066: Simultaneous Interpretation II. 3 Focuses on more advanced techniques of simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. SPAN 040, SPAN 050 and SPAN 065.
Span 067: Introduction to Spanish-English Translation. 3 Introduces students to the profession of translation and develops their ability to translate from Spanish into English, expanding their vocabulary in Spanish. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 068: Advanced Spanish-English Translation. 3 Continuation of SPAN 067. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, SPAN 052, and SPAN 067.
Span 077: Advanced Composition. 3 Course in advanced prose writing stressing control of syntactic structures and stylistic devices. SPAN 040, SPAN 050 and SPAN 052.
Span 078: Business Spanish. 3 Prepares students to engage with the business world in Spanish. SPAN 040 and SPAN 050.
Span 079: Spain and Hispanic America Through Film. 3 A study of Spanish-speaking countries through film, from cultural, sociological and technical points of view. SPAN 040, and SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 080: Diversity and Unification in Spain. 3 Social, political, and cultural topics in Spain from 1492 to 1700. ​​SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 081: Contemporary Spain. 3 Social, political and cultural topics in Spain from 1700 to present. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 083: Formation of Hispanic America. 3 Introduces students to social, political, and cultural topics in Hispanic America from 1492 to 1900 such as colonialism, Indigenous writers, mestizaje and African and Afrodescendant lived experiences. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.
Span 084: Contemporary Hispanic America. 3 Independence, modernization and globalization in Hispanic America from 1900 to the present. SPAN 040, SPAN 050, and SPAN 052.

Download the Spanish Major and Minor Brochure!

Spanish Majors and Minors Information

Key Program Information

DWLC Language Placement Examination

Any student who has studied a language before and is planning to take the same language at Howard University is required to take the Language Placement examination (LPE). The LPE must be taken at least one week prior to enrollment/registration.

For more information about the LPE click here.

Study Abroad

Students are highly encouraged to engage in study abroad in one of the many Spanish-speaking countries. To find the country and the program that best fits students’ interests, they first should attend a study abroad orientation session in the Ralph Bunche Center (http://global.howard.edu/ralph-j-bunche/). The Ralph Bunche Center coordinates study abroad programs so that all course credits will transfer seamlessly from students’ study abroad experience.

 

Students should consult the program Coordinator, Dr. Mercedes Tibbits, to choose the appropriate courses.

Spanish Advisors

Spanish Coordinator: Dr. Mercedes Tibbits. Office: Locke #332; Contact: mtibbits@howard.edu

Spanish Advisors:           

  • Dr. Clement Akassi. Office: Locke #330; Contact: cakassi@howard.edu
  • Dr. Monica StylesLocke. Office: Locke #354; Contact: monica.styles@howard.edu
  • Dr. Mercedes Tibbits. Office: Locke #332; Contact: mtibbits@howard.edu
  • Dr. Mesi Walton. Office: Locke #366; Contact: mesi.e.walton@howard.edu

 

 

2024 Spanish Graduating Students

2015 Capstone Presentations

2017 Capstone Presentations

Party for Spanish Major Graduates 2017