In its full range of courses, the Spanish section of the Modern Languages Department seeks to develop student proficiency in four areas:

• listening,
• speaking,
• reading, and
• writing.

Courses at all levels are designed to provide continued opportunities for use of the language in a variety of modes and settings, on campus, in the Ashland and Richmond communities, and abroad. In addition to imparting linguistic skills, the Spanish section of the Modern Languages Department nurtures critical thinking and synthesis in a program balancing language, civilization and culture, literary and linguistic skills, and professional skills. The Spanish faculty believes that a multifaceted study of another language and culture sensitizes students to realities other than their own, permits them to become less ethnocentric and more understanding of cultural differences, while also developing an appreciation for people of other cultures.

The department encourages students to learn more about the language and cultures through a study abroad experience. The Office of International Education offers a number of study abroad opportunities, and Spanish faculty members offer occasional January Term travel courses. In addition, through its affiliation with ISEP, the college has exchange programs with several universities in the Hispanic world.

The prerequisites for all 300-level courses are one Spanish grammar course and one Spanish reading course.

The prerequisites for the Capstone Seminar course are at least two courses at the 300-level in Spanish and junior standing.