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Home » Academics » Majors and Minors

Spanish

Connect with Spanish speakers and their heritage in the U.S. and around the world, and develop an understanding of Hispanic culture, literature, and film. 

OverviewAfter PrincipiaFaculty

Our curriculum prepares you to excel in communicating and interacting with Spanish speakers across the globe. Course work emphasizes all language skills—oral fluency and comprehension, writing, and analytical reading of various texts—as well as literature, and culture. Outside of class, you’ll meet regularly with native speakers for conversation practice and will have opportunities to participate in on- and off-campus events with LAZOS, a student-run club. Upon graduation, our students are well-prepared to live and work in a Spanish-speaking environment or pursue graduate study.

Major and Minor Offered

  • Spanish—Spanish Language Concentration (BA major, minor)
  • Spanish—Hispanic Studies Concentration (BA major, minor)

We also offer a Spanish Language Certificate, available to majors and non-majors. The certificate recognizes students' proficiency in Spanish based on the standards of the nationally-recognized ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) test. With global business increasingly being conducted in languages other than English, the certificate provides another way for students to prepare for success in multilingual environments.

Why Study Spanish at Principia College?

  • Our multilingual faculty emphasize all skills pertinent to a learned language, but also focus on broad-based intellectual exploration and strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • We develop cross-cultural understanding skills transferable to any unfamiliar culture.
  • We prepare students to continue their education in some of the top graduate schools in the country.
  • Our students complete projects and presentations in Spanish built around their interests.
  • Fluency in Spanish is an essential accomplishment, equipping our students for global citizenship, to live and work abroad in service to humanity.
  • Our students often intern where Spanish is an asset.
  • Our students have daily opportunities to talk with bilingual students from Chile, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, and other Spanish-speaking countries.
  • Students gather for hymn sings in Spanish and tapas or taco parties.
  • Spanish-only marathon weekends and other activities build community (as well as language skills).

Abroads

Principia abroad programs are open to all majors, and students are encouraged to apply for any abroad program that interests them. All abroads involve individual research that students can tailor to their interests. The Argentina, Peru, and Spain Abroads are especially popular with our students, providing them with a cross-cultural experience, an opportunity to improve language proficiency, and a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture and society.  

Note: See the College Catalog for more detailed information about our program and departmental learning outcomes.

coming soon

Our graduates often continue their studies at some of the top universities in the country, including Indiana University.

Studying Spanish prepares students for job and service options in 21 countries of the world, plus the U.S. Here are a few of the professional opportunities our graduates have pursued:

  • Teaching at independent and public schools in the U.S.
  • Teaching English in Spanish-speaking countries
  • Working in an international capacity at The Mother Church

From Our Alumni

“During my internship, I used my Spanish language skills in the marketing and promotion of cultural and international initiatives around Indianapolis. I also helped advocate for greater cultural awareness in the city, which were important takeaways from my studies at Principia.”

–A 2013 grad who interned in the Department of International and Cultural Affairs at the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office 

“The interactions I had with international students and the environment at Principia uplifted my thought and enabled me to develop wonderful connections with Nicaraguans and to feel at home working there after graduation.”

–A 2012 grad who currently works at The Mother Church in a capacity where she often uses Spanish

Dr. Elaine B. Douglas-Harrison
Visiting Faculty
Faculty Profile
Annabelle Marquez
Assistant Professor of Spanish
618.374.5468
Faculty Profile
Overview | After Principia | Faculty

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