NEW Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture

(Pending final approval)

The Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture is open to all currently registered Dalhousie and King's students across faculties. This 15-credit concurrent certificate provides foundational proficiency in Spanish and introduces students to Hispanic cultural understanding. Through a structured course sequence, students advance from introductory to intermediate or from intermediate to advanced Spanish, achieving at least a B1.1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

For BA students using Spanish to fulfill their language requirement, only 9 additional credit hours are needed to complete the certificate. Students in other degree programs benefit from its accessibility, as 1000-level Spanish courses count toward it, unlike a Minor.

Students with prior Spanish knowledge can take a placement test to begin at the appropriate level. The certificate offers flexibility, allowing progression through a combination of courses, including advanced options like SPAN 3035 and SPAN 3036, enhancing program flexibility.

This program provides a structured yet adaptable pathway for students unable to commit to a Major or Minor, integrating Spanish studies into their degrees. Electives in Hispanic culture, literature, film, and civilization complement language skills, offering a broader cultural perspective.

Note: This credential cannot be taken with a Minor or Major in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Learning Outcomes:    

• Achieve intermediate to advanced proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Spanish to communicate effectively in various contexts.
• Utilize language and cultural skills as tools for continuous personal and professional growth, fostering adaptability in multicultural and globalized environments. 
• Discuss the Hispanic world's cultural, historical, and sociopolitical diversity. This includes being able to engage with literature, media, traditions, and contemporary issues while recognizing global interconnections.  

Requirements:

To achieve the certificate, students must complete a total of 15 credit hours, including 12 credit hours from the language courses and 3 credit hours from the culture courses

Language Courses (12 credits):  

SPAN 1021.03 - Beginning Spanish I
SPAN 1022.03 - Beginning Spanish II
SPAN 1035.06 - Accelerated Beginning Spanish
SPAN 2021.03 - Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 2022.03 - Intermediate Spanish II
SPAN 3035.03 - Advanced Spanish I
SPAN 3036.03 - Advanced Spanish II

Culture Courses (3 credit hours):

SPAN 2090.03 – Introduction to Hispanic Literary Study
SPAN 2100.03 – Evolving Spain (taught in English)
SPAN 2105.03 – Catalan Language and Culture
SPAN 2150.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Memory and Marginalized Communities
SPAN 2155.03 – Hispanic Identities Through Film: Immigration, Exile, and Globalization
SPAN 2200.03 – Latin American Culture (taught in English)
SPAN 3515.03 – Voices and Visions: Hispanic Literature in Film (taught in English)

OR another course approved for the SPAN Minor or Major programs.  In addition to SPAN courses, these may include relevant courses from other departments and programs such as International Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology and Social Anthropology, and Cinema and Media Studies.  Note that some courses may have pre-requisites.

To obtain the Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 in the courses counted towards the certificate. This means that the grades from each required course will be added together and divided by five to give an overall average.

Spanish & Latin American Studies Undergraduate Advisor spanish.advising@dal.ca