The Major in Spanish for International Service (SIS) is an Interdisciplinary pre-professional career-oriented program designed for service in government, private agencies, or business in Spanish-language and culture related fields. In addition to providing a solid background in the cultural history of Latin America, Spain, and the Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States, the major emphasizes the development of practical skills to prepare students for careers in a wide range of professions in international service. Students combine their course work in the Spanish program with elective courses offered by other related programs at Catholic University. They also add a practical immersion experience by studying in a Spanish-speaking country, and completing an internship. Students are encouraged to supplement their studies with courses dealing with the Spanish-speaking world in areas such as Anthropology, Art, Drama, History, Media Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, and Theology and Religious Studies.
 
Students interested in the major in Spanish for International Service  should contact the academic advisor, Dr. Charmaine McMahon (mcmahonc@cua.edu) to devise a study plan.

Curriculum

The SIS major entails 12 courses:

  • 2 intermediate language courses:
    SPAN 103/104 or SPAN 113 (6 credits) or SPAN 110/111
  • 1 advanced language course:
    SPAN 203 or SPAN 210
  • 2 gateway seminars:
    SPAN 301 and SPAN 302 (can be taken out of sequence)
  • 2 practical skills courses, such as:
    SPAN 314: Spanish for the Professions
    SPAN 401: Spanish for Business 
    SPAN 402: Translation in International Affairs
    SPAN 485: Legal Translation and Interpretation
  • 1 content research seminar:
    SPAN 488
  • 1 senior capstone project:
    SPAN 489
  • 1 internship:
    MLL 495
  • 2 electives courses that are pre-approved by the advisor. These courses can be taught in English.

Please note that students who place out of one or more of the language courses (103, 104, 110, 111, 203, 210) will enroll in additional elective courses.

Students can count 103, 104 and approved Literature courses towards the major but no more than two of these courses can count towards their Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements.

Education Abroad

SIS Majors are required to spend a semester studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. All credits earned abroad are eligible for transfer if the student is enrolled in affiliated programs.

SPAN 489 must be taken at Catholic University.

Under special circumstances, students may petition that the study abroad requirement be waived.

Interdisciplinary Course Work

SIS Majors are strongly advised to complete the course work for the Certificate in European Studies, the Certificate in Latin American and Latino Studies, or to consider a minor or a second major in a related discipline, such as Art, Drama, History, International Business, Media and Communication Studies, Philosophy, or Politics.