The study of foreign languages develops students’ understanding of themselves as world citizens and an appreciation for the world through the study of languages and literatures, linguistics and cultural phenomena. The Spanish major and minor develop skills needed to communicate with native speakers of Spanish, learn critical and theoretical approaches to texts and build cross-cultural perspectives from which to evaluate global issues.
Given the evolving nature of the modern languages, instruction at the College stresses oral communication, while using reading and writing to reinforce general language proficiency.
Ripon College offers majors in foreign languages and in Spanish; and minors in Classical Studies; Ancient, Renaissance and Medieval Studies; Francophone studies; French; and Spanish.
Hannah Brockman ’24 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and Meredith Thiessen ’26 of Stoughton, Wisconsin, attended the 2023 Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) conference in […]
An article by Professor of Spanish Timothy Reed is published in the spring issue of Hispanic Journal. “Garden Imagery, Hauntology, and the Semiotic in Adelaida […]
A peer-reviewed article by Professor of Spanish Timothy Reed was published in The Coastal Review. “Hauntology and Epistemology in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and […]
Associate Professor of Spanish
Professor of Spanish and Associate Dean for the Catalyst Curriculum
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
Advising at Ripon| Requirements for a Major in Spanish | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 36 credits |
| Elective Courses | 36 credits in coursework beyond the 100 levels including SPA 280, LIN 332, one survey course (SPA 321 Voces hispanoamericanas I, 322 Voces hispanoamericanas II, 331 Voces hispanoamericanas I or 332 Voces hispanoamericanas II) and a 500-level seminar in the Spanish language with a capstone project. Spanish majors also should consider taking courses in anthropology, art history, history, Latin American studies, literary theory, and political science. |
| Teaching Licensure | Those seeking teacher licensure must complete 36 credits in coursework beyond the 100 levels, including SPA 280 Advanced Composition and Discussion and LIN 332 Introduction to Linguistics. A residential immersion experience with native speakers, or an approved study-abroad program, is required. SPA 402 also is required, but no credit is given toward the major. In addition, you need to complete the secondary education major. |
| Study Abroad | All majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester in an approved program, for no other path to fluency is so thorough. Students who choose to study abroad may apply 16 credits of approved coursework toward the major. Approved study-abroad programs include Academic Studies Abroad (ASA) in Madrid (Spain), the University of Minnesota program in Toledo (Spain), the Spanish Studies Abroad programs in Seville (Spain), Alicante (Spain) and Córdoba (Argentina). While abroad, students are encouraged to further study in Spanish as a discipline; majors and minors in other fields may further those studies as well. |
| Requirements for a Minor in Spanish | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 22 credits |
| Elective Courses | 22 credits in Spanish beyond the 100-levels, including SPA 280 Advanced Composition and Discussion and one survey course (SPA 321 Voces españolas I, 322 Voces españolas II, 331 Voces hispanoamericanas I or 332 Voces hispanoamericanas II). |
| Teaching Licensure | Those seeking teacher licensure must complete 22 credits in coursework beyond the 100 levels, including SPA 280 Advanced Composition and Discussion and LIN 332 Introduction to Linguistics. A residential immersion experience with native speakers, or an approved study-abroad program is required. SPA 402 The Teaching of Modern Languages also is required, but no credit is given toward the minor. In addition, you need to complete the secondary education major. |
| Study Abroad | All minors are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a semester in an approved program. Students who choose to study abroad may apply 10 credits of approved coursework toward the minor. Approved study-abroad programs include Academic Studies Abroad (ASA) in Madrid (Spain), the University of Minnesota program in Toledo (Spain), the Spanish Studies Abroad programs in Seville (Spain), Alicante (Spain) or Córdoba (Argentina). While abroad, students are encouraged to further study in Spanish as a discipline; majors and minors in other fields may further those studies as well. |
Foreign language study can lead to careers in a variety of areas, including government, industry and commerce, travel and tourism, interpretation/translation, service, education, arts, media and entertainment. Some students go on to complete graduate work in languages, while others pursue professions in communications, business, international relations, medicine, nonprofit management, public health, public policy and theology.