Spanish
Spanish Program Mission.
Our mission is to enrich students' views on life by learning the Spanish language and studying about Hispanic cultures and their canons in an intellectually challenging environment. By closely working with professors in class and individually, students learn about the diversity of the target Hispanic cultures and engage critically in a variety of intellectual, academic, social and emotional approaches to life. Students’ regular practice in the second language and constant exploration of Hispanic cultures broadens their horizons and prepares them to become global citizens.
General Education Foreign Language Requirements
At a minimum, all students must complete an elementary year of Foreign Language 111-112 at the college level. Language courses 111, 112, and 211 will not count toward the divisional distribution requirements.
Students who have studied a language in high school and who wish to continue study of that language at Denison in order to fulfill this requirement will, however, be expected to complete three semesters of that language (i.e., to pass or demonstrate proficiency in the language at the 211 level). All entering students who have studied a foreign language in high school must take the appropriate placement test during the orientation period. We use the BYU Webcape placement exam.
Proficiency Assessments
The STAMP (Standards‐based Measurement of Proficiency) online test continues to be the main assessment tool to evaluate proficiency in the target language among entering and graduating students of the Spanish program. This web-‐based test provided by Avant Assessment is based on national standards that assess students’ second language proficiency according to benchmarks related to the ACTFL Performance Guidelines. STAMP tests measure Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking skills. Students receive a copy of their results, which they share with propective employers.
Study Abroad
Courses must be pre-approved by the Spanish coordinator in order to be considered for Spanish credit BEFORE going abroad. The Spanish section will not evaluate a study-abroad course for transfer without evidence (syllabus, course description, reading list, etc.) of the content of the course.
To receive Spanish language credit, study abroad courses must be pursued in Spanish, be content based, and be similar in quality and contents to a Spanish course at Denison.
Students are encouraged to take courses that enrich the curriculum offered at Denison. Neither technical courses nor orientation sessions can receive academic credit.
Summer programs: Students may study in a pre-approved summer program that is at least 6 weeks long and 45 hrs. minimum. One course will transfer towards a major/minor from summer study.
Our Tutors.
Sigma Delta Pi
La Fuerza Latina
| Sigma Delta Pi | La Fuerza Latina | |
| This is the only honor society devoted exclusively to students of Spanish in four-year colleges and universities. Members have exclusive access to Sigma Delta Pi's growing scholarship program comprising annual undergraduate awards for summer study in Spain, Mexico and Ecuador (locations subject to change) and research grants for graduate students. | La Fuerza members endeavor to make the presence of Latino/a students known at Denison University, to promote Latino/a awareness of campus issues within the Denison community, and most importantly, we wish to create a comfortable environment for Latino/a students within Denison University | |
| For more information, see http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/ | Officers: Diana Argueta - President Jose Garcia - Vice President Marina Martinez - Public Relations Celeste Alsina - Historian Sindy Ortiz - Community Senator Leslie Sastre - Community Senator Nelly Benitez - Secretary |