https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/humanities
Contact: David Gillota
Office: 518 Pioneer Tower
Phone: 608.342.1928
E-mail: gillotad@uwplatt.edu
About the World Language Program and Majors
The World Language program offers a major in Spanish, along with minors in German and Spanish. Students who major in world languages find career opportunities in many areas, such as international business, marketing, civil service work, diplomacy, and law enforcement.
Minor studies in German and Spanish are designed for students interested in combining a minor in a world language with other areas of study for the purpose of enhancing communication skills and career opportunities. Likewise, apart from the intellectual development that results from the study of the German or Spanish language, its literature and its civilization, students may also find professional employment in international business, marketing, civil service, and teaching.
Students who wish to teach German or Spanish must be admitted to the School of Education, meet all of the requirements for teacher certification and also take TEACHING 4060 (credits do not count toward major or minor). All students intending to become licensed teachers must satisfy the requirements outlined in the teacher licensure section listed under the School of Education in this catalog.
Mission Statement
- Serve well the general education mission of the university in the areas of world language competencies and the humanities.
- Prepare students via language skills and cultural exposure for professions in business, law enforcement, communications, counseling, translation, and other fields.
- Prepare highly qualified world language teachers in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the UW-Platteville School of Education through our teaching-minor and teaching-major programs. Students must also attain a level of mastery in the areas of teaching methods and knowledge of theories of second language acquisition.
Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Proficient Oral Communication Skills
- Student learning outcome 1: Student will demonstrate minimum oral proficiency at a level equivalent to intermediate high on the ACTFL proficiency scale or student will be able to discuss a wide range of general interest topics in most informal and some formal situations.
- Student learning outcome 2: Student will be able to be understood without difficulty by speakers unaccustomed to non-native speakers.
Goal 2: Proficient Written Communication Skills
- Student learning outcome 3: Student will demonstrate knowledge and skills in effective written presentation in informal and formal styles at a level roughly equal to the student’s oral proficiency.
- Student learning outcome 4: Student will be able to read and understand a variety of authentic written materials.
Goal 3: Knowledge of Cultural Practices and Perspectives
- Student learning outcome 5: Student will complete a period of language immersion in residence in a country in which the target language is spoken.
- Student learning outcome 6: Student will be able to discuss the historical, geographical, political, socioeconomical, literary, and artistic features of a variety of regions and countries in which the target language is spoken.
Goal 4: Preparation of Highly Qualified World Language teachers in conjunction with the UW-Platteville School of Education
- Student learning outcome 7: Student will meet DPI requirements for certification as a world language teacher.
- Student learning outcome 8: Student will attain a level of mastery in the areas of teaching methods and knowledge of theories of second language acquisition.
World Languages Competency
All students are required to demonstrate competency in a world language. To meet this requirement, students seeking a BS degree must have one year of the same high school world language with a C or better average for the year, OR complete one semester of a world language at the college level with a final grade of C or better.
Students seeking a BA degree must have two years of the same high school world language with a C or better average in the second year, OR complete a second semester (or higher) of world language at the college level with a final grade of C or better. Students may place into a world language course at the second semester (or higher) level through placement testing or departmental consent.
The general education world languages requirement is waived for international students.
The general education world languages requirement may be waived for online degree students (exclusions may apply).
World languages other than the languages taught at UW-Platteville may satisfy this competency.
Retroactive Credits
Students may receive retroactive college credit for their high school world language studies. Proficiency acquired in high school may be counted toward graduation and toward the number of credits in the Spanish major, or German or Spanish minor. Students ordinarily earn a maximum of eight retroactive credits. However, students with high proficiency may earn more retroactive credit as determined by the department. Students may earn up to 16 retroactive credits for previous study in German or Spanish, and up to 8 credits for previous study in Chinese.
In order to earn retroactive credit through UW-Platteville, a student must enroll in a second semester course or higher and must earn a grade of “A” or “B” in that course. In addition to credit for the course completed, a student may then earn between four and 16 retroactive credits for the course or courses skipped at the 1000 or 2000 levels. UW-Platteville will also honor retroactive credits earned at another institution provided that these credits were earned according to UW-Platteville policy.
Credits in Residence
Minimum number of credits in language major or minor required in residence on the UW-Platteville campus
All students completing a major or a minor in any language through UW-Platteville must take at least half of the upper-level credits required for that major or minor in residence on the UW-Platteville campus as follows:
- minimum of 10 upper-level language credits in residence for that major
- minimum of 12 upper-level language credits in residence for the education major
- minimum of four upper-level language credits in residence for the minor
- minimum of six upper-level language credits in residence for the education minor
Coursework taken at any institution other than UW-Platteville will not be counted toward this requirement.
General Requirements Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Spanish
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total for graduation | 120 | |
| General education | 44-58 | |
| Major studies | 36 | |
Non-teaching Spanish majors, in addition to the requirements for the major, are also required to take nine credits of literature and philosophy with no more than two courses from one of the above areas. Bachelor of Arts students may select any philosophy or literature courses at the 2000 level or higher. Bachelor of Science students may select one course in philosophy or literature at the 1000 level and two at the 2000 level or higher.
Students who major in a world language are required to take eight or nine credits in our Education Abroad program at the 3000-4000 level. Similar or comparable cultural experiences could also be accepted.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Teaching Spanish
(available for education majors only)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total for graduation | 120 | |
| General education | 44-58 | |
| Major studies (world-language education majors) | 40 | |
In addition to the credits required for the Spanish major in education, there is also a requirement for one philosophy course (PHLSPHY 1130 or PHLSPHY 2530).
Students who major in a world language are required to take eight or nine credits in our Education Abroad program at the 3000-4000 level. Similar or comparable cultural experiences could also be accepted.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Other elementary language courses meeting the general education competency requirement: | ||
| CHINESE 1540 | Elementary Chinese | 4 |
| CHINESE 1640 | Elementary Chinese | 4 |
Minors
- German Minor
- German Education Minor (Non-Licensure)1
- Spanish Minor
- Spanish Education Minor (Non-Licensure)1
- 1
Completion of this minor does not lead to licensure. Please contact the School of Education with further questions.
Faculty and Lecturers
Additional information about the Faculty and Lecturers below may be found in the Faculty and Academic Staff section of this catalog.
German
Kohler-Busch, Madelon E.
Spanish
Holan, Alyssa
Schulenburg, Christopher
Van Paemel, Catherine H.