Sometimes when opportunity calls, it speaks another language. And Spanish is not a “foreign” language any more. When you meet someone, knowing another language gives you an additional opportunity to connect. The goal at the heart of our program is to appreciate other languages, literatures, and cultures. Our university’s namesake was born in Spain—St. Ignatius Loyola, or “Iggy” as our students affectionately call him. Following the Jesuit tradition he established, we know that learning other languages is an indispensable part of individual development. Here at Loyno, we’ll teach you to use language to connect with others.
Overview of Courses
Our program’s curriculum combines Spanish language courses with a selection of Spanish electives in culture, literature, and film and finishes with a Spanish capstone. Here’s a sample of what you can expect to learn and do:
- Second-Year Spanish I
This course focuses on grammar and vocabulary development, continuing the advancement of the four basic skills: listening comprehension, conversation, reading, and composition, along with culture. - Intensive Conversation
This course places an emphasis on oral expression with exercises to provide students with a working knowledge of conversational Spanish. This course is open only to non-native speakers. - Culture and Civilization of Spain
This course is a historical approach to Spanish civilization. Students study elements of Spanish culture including the languages, music, arts, architecture, and current socio-political issues. - Latin-American Literature II
This course is a survey of Latin-American literature from the latter part of the 19th century to the present, including realism, naturalism, modernism, and post-modernism. - Immigration
The course incorporates service learning in the New Orleans Latino community; guest speakers; and readings and films about problems of being an immigrant, particularly from the Spanish-speaking world. Written compositions reflect on the issues and how we can better know the “other.”
Curriculum
To complete the Spanish major you will take 31 credit-hours. These credit-hours combine: 1) Spanish language courses; 2) a selection of Spanish electives on several cultural issues in the Spanish speaking world; 3) and a Spanish capstone course. Study abroad courses make up a big part of the curriculum and those study abroad experiences may motivate your research work. A thesis sequence based on those research opportunities is also available if you’re interested.
- SPAN A200 Second Year Spanish I
- SPAN A201 Second Year Spanish II
- 7 Spanish elective courses SPAN A300 - A499
- Spanish elective or Thesis (2 + 1)
Capstone
- SPAN A480 Capstone course
Program Resources
The Spanish Program brings together experienced faculty in 2nd language pedagogy. Your work in the classroom is complemented by the support you’ll receive from the Ross Language Lab, which offers tutoring by Spanish native speakers on a person-to-person basis. Additionally, the Study Abroad programs rely on Loyola University’s academic partners outside the United States as well as on non-profit organizations and NGOs dealing with social issues in Spain and Latin America.
Spanish Course Information
Find out more about the Spanish major:
- Curriculum Requirements
- Curriculum Requirements By Entering Year
- Course Descriptions
- Academic Plan (semester break-out)
Teacher Education
Students preparing for teacher certification in Spanish take focus-area courses for teacher education in addition to the language courses in the Spanish major. See the degree plan here, and the list of teacher-education course descriptions here.
Academic Plan with Teacher Certification (semester break-out)