Department of Languages and Culture
¡Bienvenidos!
The Department of Languages and Culture acknowledges the rich heritage of the Hispanic culture and has a deep appreciation of the region’s cultural and linguistic identities. The department continues to forge a strong dialogue between the local culture and areas of study pertaining to Latin America and Spain.
The department offers thorough instruction in the complex and globalized cultures and linguistics of the Spanish-speaking world. Students develop the critical language skills to communicate in the target languages. Students also build an understanding of the cultures, literatures and linguistic differences of communities of the Americas, Spain and the Southwest.
The department has implemented changes to the Spanish program that include: more student choices for Spanish majors, more practical and applied courses, translation and interpreting as another option for those majoring in Spanish. These changes are being put into place in order to allow students from other disciplines to take courses that will further their career goals.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Languages and Culture program offers a major in Spanish with concentrations in Literature and Culture, and Translation and Linguistics; and a major in Spanish for Elementary and/ or Secondary School Teachers. It also offers a minor in Spanish.
Spanish Major Form
Spanish Minor Form
The program emphasizes the four language skills (reading, writing, listening-comprehension, and speaking) and strives to develop in its majors and minors a thorough competence of the study of the Spanish language, literature, and culture.
Language Requirement
Students may satisfy the language Requirement in a number of ways:
- By obtaining a passing grade after the required sequence of SPAN 101 & 102 (or equivalent);
- By taking the Placement Exam;
- By transferring credit for language courses from another institution.
Language Learning Center (LLC)
The Language Learning Center provides free professional tutoring and a Writing lab in Spanish. Consultants are available at a variety of times.
Experience Abroad
The Spanish/ English Immersion Program provide Spanish linguistic and cultural preparation to multiple student populations in a number of disciplinary contexts and venues, namely: Mexico, Nicaragua and Spain.
Tertulia
A discussion group organized by students who meet at the LLC to exchange ideas and experiences, and view films.
Native American/Hispano Cultural Studies
This minor program implements the interdisciplinary study of peoples, languages, cultures, traditions and practices of the Southwest, with specific emphasis on northern New Mexico communities.
American Sign Language
Highlands offers two years of American Sign Language (ASL) courses to augment students’ various degree program studies. Regardless of major, students will find fluency in ASL a marketable skill and an enriching personal experience as they discover the unique culture of the deaf community.