Department Chair:
Dr. Michael Dillon (Professor)
Faculty:
Dr. Denise Callejas (Assistant Professor); Dr. Jaime Chávez (Assistant Professor); Dr. Zoggyie Haakayoo (Associate Professor); Dr. José Larrauri (Assistant Professor); Dr. Patricia Pogal (Associate Professor of Spanish)
Program overview:
The mission of the Spanish program at Morehouse College is to provide coursework and resources so that graduates of the Spanish Program will be able to interpret, compare and explain linguistic cultural artifacts (i.e. film, literature, business, popular culture, comics, plays, poems, etc.) across time periods, cultures, and diverse societies in the Spanish-speaking world. In addition, students will demonstrate interpretative, presentational, and interpersonal communication skills in Spanish to use at home and abroad, in their professional and personal life, and in the global community as global citizens.
The department partners with educational organizations that offer semester or full-year programs abroad to encourage students to study and travel overseas. These programs can help students meet a significant part of their Spanish major or minor requirements. Additionally, the department arranges summer study abroad programs of its own. To learn more, please visit the department.
A student who has chosen a major in a foreign language may qualify for departmental honors by satisfying the following requirements: (1) eligibility for college honors, (2) a 3.5 grade-point average within the department, and (3) successful completion of a designated research project that will be evaluated by a departmental committee. The latter condition will require enrollment in a 440 Directed Study course under the supervision of a selected faculty member of the department.
Since 1984, Morehouse College has had a chapter of the National Hispanic Honor Society. Requirements include at least 18 hours in Spanish, a minimum 3.5 average in the major courses attempted, and eligibility for college honors.
The Spanish Club provides students with opportunities to expand their academic experience by immersing themselves in the Spanish language and culture. Along with language-focused events, the club also hosts a variety of cultural events that offer an in-depth insight into the history, arts, and traditions of Spanish-speaking communities both here in Atlanta and abroad. This makes the club an ideal platform for students interested in learning about cultures, history, film, and literature, and for students to meet other like-minded individuals who share their passion for the Spanish-speaking world.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will be able to demonstrate Intermediate Low (for a minor) to Advanced Low (for a major)* language skills through: a) listening comprehension, b) verbal communication, c) expository writing, and d) reading in Spanish.
- Students will be able to interpret and explain language and linguistic cultural artifacts across time periods, cultures, and diverse societies in the Spanish-speaking world.
- Students will be able to a) analyze and critique linguistic cultural artifacts in diverse societies of the Spanish-speaking world as well as b) compare these artifacts with their own cultural backgrounds.
*Based on The ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines 2012.
Department policies and/or General Education modifications:
- A grade of C or higher is required for majors to satisfactorily complete all Spanish and electives designated for the program.
