Department of World Languages Mission Statement Because communication through language is a God-given gift, reflects the fundamental values of a culture, and lies at the heart of human experience, the Department of World Languages is dedicated to equipping both the general student and the language major linguistically, culturally, and intellectually to communicate effectively in and about languages and literatures other than English in a pluralistic American society and abroad. (See American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, Lawrence, KS: Allen Press, 2006: 7.) Objectives Students enrolled in language acquisition courses gain oral proficiency and cultural awareness to meet the University’s language requirement. Service learning, as well as summer and year abroad programs in collaboration with Adventist Colleges Abroad, deepens students’ experiences with language and culture. Students in the major program develop scholarship essential for teaching and for graduate study while acquiring skills in analytical thinking and understanding of cultural diversity. 11. Show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the target language for personal enjoyment and enrichment. Summer World Language Courses During the summer months, the World Languages Department offers a number of world languages. Courses will be offered in the afternoon and will be open to students, university community, as well as the community at large. Consult the current summer school schedule for details. ACA Summer Programs Six-week summer programs are also available through the Adventist Colleges Abroad schools located in Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the Ukraine. (For additional information, see the “Adventist Colleges Abroad” section listed elsewhere in this Bulletin.) MAJOR Bachelor of Arts World Languages Learning Outcomes SPANISH Students will be able to: The Spanish major is offered jointly through La Sierra University and the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) schools in Argentina and Spain. Students wishing to declare the Spanish major must take the Spanish Placement Test administered by the Department of World Languages. The year abroad is required for all majors, except those who can give evidence of having completed secondary school studies in their native Spanish-speaking country in Latin America or Spain. For exact credit equivalencies from the ACA programs in Argentina or Spain for the Spanish major, consult with the World Languages Department. 1. Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions in the target language. 2. Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics in the target language. 3. Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures of the target language. 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and perspectives of the cultures of the target language. 6. Reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the study of the target language. 7. Acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the target language and culture. 8. Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through c ­ omparisons of the target language with their own. 9. Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through ­comparisons of the target culture with their own. 10. Use the target language both within and beyond the school setting. La Sierra University Undergraduate Bulletin Required (52 units minimum, 48 upper division), including: • The courses listed below • 3 terms abroad (Year abroad may be waived with evidence of having completed secondary level studies in the student’s native Spanish-speaking country) 4 units in preparatory courses, choose from: SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish II OR SPAN 213 Spanish for Spanish Speakers 231