Linguistics, Spanish Linguistics Concentration, B.A.

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The Spanish Linguistics Concentration is intended for students interested in the Spanish language and its linguistic structure, as well as linguistics in general. Students in the Spanish Linguistics concentration who would like to pursue a career as a K-12 Spanish teacher also can complete the K-12 teacher certification pathway.

Program Requirements

Total number of credits required for the major: 51

Required Coursework

LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
LIN 311 - Phonetics Credits: 3
LIN 312 - Phonology and Morphology Credits: 3
LIN 313 - Syntax Credits: 3
LIN 317 - Two Languages, One Mind: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism Credits: 3
SPA 101 - Beginning Spanish I Credits: 4
SPA 102 - Beginning Spanish II Credits: 4
SPA 201 - Intermediate Spanish I Credits: 4
SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish II Credits: 4
SPA 300 - Building Fluency in Spanish Credits: 3
SPA 301 - Practical Spanish I Credits: 4
SPA 302 - Practical Spanish II Credits: 4
SPA 416 - The Linguistic Structure of Spanish Credits: 3
One three-credit 400-level LIN course (excluding courses focused on interpreting and excluding LIN 498 - Thesis )
Elective in major: One course (at least three credits) relating to Spanish language, culture, or linguistics. Courses in this category are SPA 300 Building Fluency in Spanish (taken a second time), LIN 112 The Birth of a Language , and courses in other Romance languages (French, Italian, Latin). Other elective courses may be chosen in consultation with an advisor. Students are encouraged to attend study abroad programs in Spanish-speaking countries. A course taken as part of such a program fulfills this requirement.

Note on Language Component

One or more of the first four levels of Spanish language courses may be waived on a case-by-case basis for students who demonstrate the equivalent degree of competency. In such cases, students replace the language course credits with other linguistics or Spanish-related courses. Substitutions are made in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Note on grade requirement for LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics

Students must receive a grade of B or higher in LIN 185 before enrolling in certain upper-level LIN courses, including LIN 312 - Phonology and Morphology and LIN 313 - Syntax . LIN 185 may be repeated at most one time. Students for whom American Sign Language is their first language may consult with the department about alternative pathways for satisfying this requirement.

Honors for Spanish Linguistics Concentration

Linguistics majors who do outstanding work in the major can graduate with honors in linguistics. Requirements for Honors for students majoring in the Spanish Linguistics Concentration are the following:

Achieve a GPA of at least 3.7 in LIN and Spanish courses.
Complete LIN 490 - Introduction to Language Research with a grade of B or higher.
Complete LIN 498 - Thesis with a grade of A.

Notes on Core Curriculum Requirements

In addition to completing a major, students must satisfy USM’s Core Curriculum requirements and earn a total of at least 120 credits to graduate. The following information outlines core requirements that overlap with the major in Linguistics with a Concentration in Spanish Linguistics or core courses recommended for students majoring in this concentration.

Quantitative Reasoning: Students must fulfill this requirement with a statistics or MAT course. One requirement for Honors in Linguistics is LIN 490 - Introduction to Language Research . This course has a statistics course (MAT 120 - Introduction to Statistics or PSY 201 - Statistics in Psychology ) as a prerequisite. Therefore, students should take a statistics course to meet this requirement if they are considering pursuing Honors in Linguistics. If not, students can take any MAT course in the Quantitative Reasoning category.

Cultural Interpretation: Each of SPA 101 - Beginning Spanish I , SPA 102 - Beginning Spanish II , SPA 201 - Intermediate Spanish I , and SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish II (as well as other language courses at these levels) fulfills this core requirement.

Socio-Cultural Analysis: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement.

Science Exploration: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement if LIN 186 - Introduction to Linguistics: Lab (the one-credit lab associated with LIN 185 ) is taken as well.

Culture, Power, and Equity: LIN 185 - Language, Mind, and Society: An Introduction to Linguistics meets this requirement.

International: SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish II meets this requirement.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: LIN 317 - Two Languages, One Mind: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism meets this requirement.

Capstone: SPA 416 - The Linguistic Structure of Spanish is a capstone course.

Several linguistics or language courses that are not required for the major fulfill core requirements:

Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: LIN 410 - Ethical Decision Making in ASL/English Interpreting (Note: Students who have not taken ASL or interpreting courses can request permission from the Department to take this course, if they demonstrate experience in an area involving ethical reasoning.)

Engaged Learning: ASL 201 - Intermediate American Sign Language I , ASL 202 - Intermediate American Sign Language II , ASL 398 - Independent Study , ASL 401 - Advanced American Sign Language I , ASL 402 - Advanced American Sign Language II , FRE 398 - Independent Study , GER 398 - Independent Study , SPA 398 - Independent Study , LIN 130 - Language Revitalization and Reclamation Methodologies , LIN 394 - Teaching Internship , LIN 395 - Research Internship , LIN 398 - Independent Study , LIN 498 - Thesis

USM Core Requirements

The USM Core Curriculum is a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal education that enables our graduates to be world-minded, intentional, life-long learners and captures your general education degree requirements.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.