Spanish Language in Context
Minor
Learning a new language opens a new world of opportunities no matter the career or life path you seek. In this minor, you can take your language skills around the globe.
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. You will combine your language training with community service to better understand cross-cultural communication in a variety of situations. You could take part in projects such as helping local K-12 school children with their studies, creating podcasts with high schoolers telling their stories, or working at a local nonprofit distributing food to communities in need.
Why study Spanish at Warren Wilson?
- Matched to your Skill-Level: Start learning Spanish from the beginning or continue your learning by taking our placement test. Qualifying students can skip all four Spanish Language classes and be placed into the Topics in Advanced Spanish class.
- One-on-One: Small intensive classes allow for individualized and group learning and cohesion.
- A Cultural Focus: Classes are focused on emphasizing intercultural learning and cultural humility
- Community Engaged: Spanish classes are community engaged classes, working in a variety of settings according to student interest and choice. Students have the opportunity to work locally as individuals or in small groups with community partners within the Latiné community
Every student will complete community-engaged coursework, an internship, and original research as part of their major
A Sample of Our Partnerships
- Owen High School
- NC Virtual Academy
- Bounty and Soul
- Tierra Fértil
- Únete
- Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción
- Centro Unido/Marion, NC
- Western NC YMCA
- Asheville Humane Society
- Hearts with Hands
- Grace Covenant Church
See how Spanish students put our education into action
Community Engaged Course
Topics in Advanced Spanish: La escucha y la conexión is a project-based community engaged course based on practicing deep listening skills as students connect with Latiné youth in the local community. You’ll have opportunities for intercultural learning and sharing as you apply best practices while co-creating digital stories with community partners.
Work
You can work on any crew as a student but many Spanish students choose to be on crews such as:
- Spanish Assistant
- WIDE
- Bonner/Community Engagement
Study Abroad
Students worked with EcoMar, a non-profit conservation and research organization, assisting with behavioral psychology research with marine animals, while also learning about Belizean cultures, traditions, and languages. Students visited and learned about Mayan ruins and cultural heritage sites, stayed at a Belizean family-owned villa, and practiced their Spanish speaking skills. They also created and led a youth day for the community to play sports, do arts and crafts, and share their customs and traditions.
Popular Courses
Introductory Spanish: Language and Culture
In this course, you will explore the basics of communication in Spanish. You’ll improve your proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills while being mindful of cultural norms and practices. You’ll also engage with the Latiné(x) community to explore the intersection of culture, power, and place.
Language and Culture
You will study the role of languages in the social life of individuals and communities. We will analyze topics such as culture, gender, race, sexuality, and technology in relation to language.
Topics in Advanced Spanish
You’ll develop your interpretation, presentation, and production skills in Spanish areas such as film studies, literature, or podcasting. This class centers on engagement in the community and the topics taught change often so you can repeat the course to explore them all.
Christine LaRocque Swoap, MA
Research Interests
- Assessing Critical Reflection in the foreign language classroom
- Service-Learning and community engagement in the foreign language classroom
- Language acquisition
“At Warren Wilson, I see creativity, sensitivity and a willingness to engage with others in meaningful ways. Professors and students work collaboratively towards various educative goals, taking risks while being advocates for themselves and others. All of this inspires me.”
David Abernathy, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Geographic Information Systems
- Environment-society relations
- Geography of Panama
“Warren Wilson students crave a challenge. I am continually amazed at the enthusiasm with which our students throw themselves into an endeavor, whether it be a physically exhausting service trip or an intellectually stimulating research question. Wilson students tend to say “bring it.””
Ben Feinberg, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- The Politics of Representation and Identity
- Indigenous Cultures of Mexico
- Anthropology of Tourism
“At Warren Wilson, we have the time we need to know our students as real, complete, complicated human beings, not just a butt in a seat and a name on a paper.”
Susan Ortiz, Ph.D.
Research Interests
- Social Stratification and Inequality
- Intersectionality
- Privilege and Power
“Warren Wilson is the place where both academics and intellectual virtues matter. We are all on a journey together to build a more trusting, empathetic, patient, caring, and connected community, state, nation, and world.”
Where Our Spanish Graduates Go
- Teach for America
- Fulbright Scholarship program
- Spain’s Ministry of Education North American Language and Culture Assistants Program
- Freestore Foodbank
