UB Programs At-A-Glance

Spanish

Department of Romance Languages and Literatures

College of Arts and Sciences
910 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4620

Phone: 716.645.6000
Fax: 716.645.5981
Web: rll.buffalo.edu/rll

Maureen Jameson
Chair

Justin Read
Director of Undergraduate Studies
716.645.2191, ext. 1182
jread2@buffalo.edu

Bárbara Ávila-Shah
Language Program Director
716.645.6000, ext. 1193
bia@buffalo.edu

About the Program

Spanish, with approximately 320 million speakers, is the fourth most spoken language on the planet. It is the official language, not only of Spain, but also of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean islands of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, most of the countries of South America, and Equatorial Guinea. In the United States, Spanish is spoken by approximately 10 percent of the total population of the United States (nearly 25,000,000 people), making the U.S. the fifth largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Spanish is a major international language of banking, commerce, cultural production, diplomacy, and science.

The undergraduate program in Spanish is intended to introduce students to a wide range of disciplines within the area of Hispanic language and civilization. The implicit goal of the program is to build students' proficiency in the Spanish language. Students may focus on literature, linguistics, language teaching, or other related areas. To this end, the program offers a broad selection of courses, as well as opportunity for independent study, directed work in allied fields, and a summer program in Salamanca, Spain.

About Our Degrees

The undergraduate program in Spanish is intended to introduce the student to the widest range of disciplines within the area of Hispanic language and civilization leading to a possible subsequent specialization in literature, linguistics, language teaching, or other related areas. Spanish students have access to online audio and visual materials and an excellent library.

Applications to the major and minor are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are available at the department office or on the RLL website.

Accepted majors/minors (2003-2004): 89
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 101
Total number of minors currently enrolled: 50

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in Spanish courses completed prior to applying for acceptance.

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

The typical class size for:

Freshman/introductory courses is: 24
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 24
Upper level/advanced courses is: 20

In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?

TA’s generally teach introductory-level courses.

For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Faculty

Classes in the Spanish program are small in size, and are taught by faculty with recognized commitment to teaching.

One faculty member has received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and one has received the Milton Plesur Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

Study Abroad
The Spanish Program at UB sponsors a summer study program in Salamanca, Spain. Many students also have access to other SUNY Programs in Argentina; Madrid and Sevilla, Spain; Chile; and Mexico; among others. See the Study Abroad Programs web site.

H.O.S.T.S./Herman Badillio Bilingual Academy Mentorship Program
The H.O.S.T.S. (Help One Student to Succeed) Program at Herman Badillo Academy in Buffalo provides opportunities for undergraduate students who are fluent in Spanish to mentor bilingual grade-school children in Spanish language and reading skills. UB undergraduates may volunteer their time on a flexible basis, or for academic credit.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society, has a chapter at UB. Students are initiated once a year.

An honors program in Spanish is open to students who achieve a minimum GPA of 3.25 overall and a minimum GPA of 3.75 in at least five upper-division Spanish courses. Students in the honors program in Spanish must complete two honors projects in two upper-division Spanish courses.

Extracurricular Activities

There are many opportunities to participate in out-of-class enrichment activities through the RLL department, including conversation groups, lectures, and films. Depending on students' initiative, the Spanish club can be highly beneficial; call 716-645-2191 for more information. In the past, members have gathered weekly during lunch to converse in Spanish. Members have also offered free tutoring to students at the beginning levels. Other clubs of interest to students in the Spanish program include the Latin American Student Association (350 Student Union, 716-645-2950) and PODER Latinos Unidos (372 Student Union, 716-645-3061).

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Career Information and Further Study

Students who choose Spanish as their academic home at UB find a number of career opportunities open to them. Among graduates in the past decade, many have gone on to do graduate work in Spanish, some have gone on to law school or business school, and others have found positions with the U.S. State Department, and in secondary education. Whatever career appeals to graduating students, fluency in Spanish will assuredly be an advantage.

Some careers our graduates have pursued include:

  • Announcer (TV/radio)
  • Diplomat
  • Federal agencies
  • Foreign service officer
  • Foreign student advisor
  • International relations specialist
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Public relations specialist
  • Social worker
  • Spanish language teacher
  • Translator

Links to Further Information About This Program


Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:16 EST