World Languages and Cultures
Mission
The
world languages and cultures department is an integral part of the liberal arts
education at Viterbo University. It fosters cultural awareness, understanding
and respect by developing the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills
of other languages through interactive, experiential learning. The department provides
Spanish courses for Spanish majors and minors and for elementary and secondary
pre-service teachers as well as language courses that meet the needs of other
programs.
Goals
By
the end of their second semester, students will have demonstrated:
- A basic knowledge and understanding of
the target culture and its legacy.
- An understanding of the target language
in written form.
- An understanding of the target language
in verbal form.
- A basic knowledge of pronunciation and
grammar rules of the target language.
Policy
International
Baccalaureate and CLEP Exam credit. See the alternative credit section of this
catalog or the registrar’s office for further information.
Spanish Program
Mission
The
Spanish program strives to guide the students in reaching an advanced level of
proficiency in all aspects of the Spanish language as well as an understanding
and appreciation for Spanish and Spanish-American cultures while emphasizing
their contributions to U.S. and North American cultures.
Goals
The
student will be able to:
- communicate effectively using verbal
and written language
- demonstrate understanding of Spanish in
verbal and written form
- develop a knowledge base of the
contemporary issues surrounding the Spanish-speaking world and their historical
background observe, recognize, and describe facts and overall patterns of the
historical and contemporary contexts of the individual, family, and immediate
surroundings within the cultures of the target language
Through
highly interactive, participative classroom and experiential learning using
interpersonal and technological resources, students are challenged to develop
their knowledge and expertise to effectively interact with the Spanish, Latin
American and U.S. Hispanic communities. Courses offered on campus provide students
with exposure to a broad range of aspects of language, culture, literature and
linguistics. In addition, recognizing the importance of total linguistic and
cultural immersion, students are encouraged to participate in study programs,
experiences, and/or internships in an area where the target language is
dominant. Course work and study are balanced by extracurricular activities locally
and regionally to provide students an opportunity to use their skills and to
broaden their educational focus.
Students
elect to study Spanish for the following reasons:
- To major in Spanish (teaching or
general major) or to double major with another field of study.
- To pursue a minor in Spanish to
complement their major.
- To enhance their major area of study
with a competency in a foreign language through elective coursework.
- To meet the foreign language
requirement for the B.A. degree.
Policy
Courses
in literature and culture must be taken in two of the three areas of the
Spanish-speaking world – Spain (Peninusular), Latin America, U.S. Hispanic. A
demonstrated proficiency at the Advanced level in listening, reading, and
writing as evidenced through department assessment. A demonstrated cultural
knowledge in two of the three areas of the Spanish-speaking world as evidenced
through department assessment.
Retroactive
Credits for Spanish
Students
who enter Viterbo University with advanced preparation in Spanish may receive
from four to 14 retroactive credits provided –
- the
student takes a placement exam to determine appropriate class level
- a
grade of C or better is earned in the student’s first university course above
the 101 level
Retroactive
credits will appear on a student’s transcript after the grading deadline of the
term in which the first university course above the 101 level was completed and
the minimum grade was achieved. The retroactive credits granted may be used
toward fulfilling the B.A. degree requirement as well as toward the Spanish
major or minor requirements.
A
student who has received college credit for a Spanish course taken while in
high school (through Advanced Placement, Youth Options, or other cooperative agreements
between secondary and post secondary schools), or received Viterbo transfer
credit for a course taken at another college or university may not take the
placement exam or be awarded retroactive language credits.
For further information
see your advisor or the world language and cultures department chairperson.
Study
Abroad
A
period of residency of at least one month in a country where the target
language is spoken is required for Spanish majors and for teaching certification
in the major and the minor. Up to 32 credits from an approved study abroad
program may be transferred in to meet degree requirements for both the teaching
and non-teaching majors and up to six credits for the teaching and non-teaching
minor.
Other
Languages
Viterbo
University offers a one year rotation of languages that includes German,
French, and Italian. In addition to French, mentioned at the end of this
section, students may continue the study of German using the UW-L/Viterbo
University co-op program. Students are also encouraged to continue studying the
language of their choice through study abroad programs. Viterbo University
accepts transfer credit in any language, including sign language.
Spanish Major (Bachelor of Arts)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- Spanish requirements:
- language
– SPAN 305, 306, 340, 405, 406
- culture
– nine credits taken from SPAN 307, 310, 312, 336, 410
- literature
– nine credits taken from SPAN 308, 314, 316, 318
- Spanish
electives – 10 credits
- proficiency
– a proficiency level of Intermediate-High in speaking
assessed through a standardized oral exam (Oral-Proficiency Interview)
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements of
the Bachelor of Arts degree as well as final graduation requirements
The total credits of
the major requirements are 43. The
core curriculum and mission seminars require 38-52 credits.
Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit
totals.
Equivalents
of the required courses may be taken through an approved study abroad program.
Refer to the study abroad section of this catalog.
Spanish, Early Childhood through
Adolescence, Education Major (Bachelor of Arts)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
Education majors are required to take specific core
curriculum courses to satisfy DPI licensure requirements.
- Spanish requirements –
- language
– SPAN 305, 306, 340, 405, 406
- culture
– nine credits taken from SPAN 307, 310, 312, 336, 410
- literature
– nine credits taken from SPAN 308, 314, 316, 318
- linguistics
– 415, 416
- Spanish
electives –six credits
- Education requirements – EDUC
150, 215, 255, 306, 316, 330, 335, 390, 463, 482
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements of
the Bachelor of Arts degree as well as final graduation requirements
The total credits of
the major requirements are 72-79. The
core curriculum and mission seminars require 38-52 credits.
Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit
totals.
See
the School of Education section for teacher education policy. Student teaching
is completed in the final semester.
The
requirements below must be met before student teaching –
- Courses in literature and culture must
be taken in two of the three areas of the Spanish-speaking world – Spain
(Peninsular), Latin America, U.S. Hispanic.
- A proficiency level of
Intermediate–High in speaking assessed through a standardized oral exam (Oral
Proficiency Interview)
- A demonstrated cultural knowledge in
two of the three areas of the Spanish-speaking world as evidenced through
department assessment.
Spanish Minor
- SPAN 101, 102, 250, 251, 305, 306, 340,
six credits SPAN electives
- proficiency level of Advanced in
listening and reading
- proficiency of Intermediate-High in
writing and speaking as evidenced through department assessment
- knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 29. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.
Spanish, Middle Childhood through Early
Adolescence Education, Minor
- SPAN 101, 102, 250, 251, 305, 306, 340,
405, 406, 415, 416, six credits SPAN electives
- EDUC 335
- a period of residency of at least one
month in a country where the target language is spoken (up to six credits
accepted for transfer)
- proficiency of Advanced-Low (ACTFL) in
writing and speaking as evidenced through department assessment
- proficiency of Advanced-Low (ACTFL) in listening
and speaking as evidenced through coursework and Oral Proficiency Interview
(OPI)
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 39. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.
See
the School of Education section for teacher education policy and additional
requirements. Student teaching is completed in the final semester.
Interpreting Studies Minor
Mission
The purpose of the interpreting
studies minor is to provide students with an understanding of the complex set
of skills needed to become an effective interpreter. The interpreting studies minor
introduces students to principles of interpreting including in-depth analyses
of cultural competencies, ethical dilemmas and their relevance in the
interpreting process.
Goals
- Provide
students with the tools to understand and analyze issues related to the theory
and practice of interpreting.
- Provide
students with the skills and knowledge to analyze ethical and cultural concerns
and their implications in the interpreting process.
- Promote
awareness regarding the profession of interpreting.
Interpreting
Studies Minor
- INTP 301, 444, 452 or 456, SPAN 305,
361 or 364 or 367
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 15. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.
Certificate in Community
Interpreting
Mission
The Viterbo University Certificate in Community
Interpreting strives to produce qualified interpreters so that non-English
speakers can effectively communicate with the providers of public services so
as to facilitate full and equal access to legal, health, educational
government, and social services.
Goals
- To serve the interpreting needs of regional and
local institutions in health care settings, county services, law enforcement,
the court system, and private industry.
- To train
professionals in four key areas – cultural competency, ethics, interpreting
strategies, and best business practices.
Objectives
- Raise public awareness about the profession of
interpreting
- Establish working relationships with community
partners for the purpose of ensuring practicum sites and facilitating
employment of graduates
- Create a central database to pair up interpreters
with regional employers
- Create online and hybrid courses
- Impose standardization within the discipline of
interpreting and achieve recognition of the profession through education,
legislation and public relations
Eligibility
- Students of language programs.
- Individuals working in the field with no previous
training in interpreting.
- Bilingual professionals working in fields not
related to interpreting.
- Acceptance is based on a successful
application/interview/entrance exam.
Requirements
- INTP 301,
444, 452, 456, 481
Certificate in French Studies
Viterbo
University students may earn a certificate in French Studies at the University
of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L). The tuition to complete the certificate would be
covered under the UW-L/Viterbo University co-op agreement. (See relevant
section of this catalog.) The certificate is earned and awarded completely at UW-L
and the credits would transfer to Viterbo University as elective credits and be
applicable to the core curriculum requirements per policy. No notation of
completion would be noted on the Viterbo University transcript. Notation would
be on the UW-L transcript per UW-L policy. Students intending on pursuing the
certificate are subject to UW-L/Viterbo University co-op agreement policy and
to UW-L certificate policy. Interested students should contact the chair of the
world languages department.