Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies

Graduation & Life After

Graduation Seminar Information

From October 19 through November 5, please come to 34 Folwell during walk-in hours in order to take care of the following steps that will allow you to register for Span 3972: Graduation Seminar.

  1. Obtain a current copy of your unofficial transcript from OneStop. You are allowed to take one Spanish elective concurrently with Span 3972, but priority will be given to those students who have completed all electives if space becomes an issue.

    During Spring 2010, section 001 of 3972 will be taught by Prof. Jaime Hanneken, and it will meet on Tuesdays from 11:15am to 12:30pm. Section 002 will be taught by Prof. Raul Marerro-Fente and it will meet on Wednesdays from 11:15am to 12:30pm. Section 003 will be taught by Prof. Nicolas Spadaccini and it will meet on Thursdays from 12:45 to 2:00pm.

  2. Prepare a typed summary (in Spanish or Portuguese) of 1-2 paragraphs describing the topic you intend to pursue.  For a list of past thesis titles, see Past Thesis Titles Span 3972: Graduation Seminar (.pdf document)

    Include the following information in your proposal:

    • Your name, student ID, e-mail address, phone number, and term in which you will take Span 3972 at the top. 
    • When did you first hear of this topic?  Why does it interest you?  How do you plan to research the topic: through interviews? research?
    • List the courses that you have taken both in Spanish or Portuguese Studies and in other departments that have prepared you for this topic.

  3. Submit the written summary in person during walk-in hours.  This must be done by November 5, 2009 .  Permission for enrollment will be granted through e-mail at a later date.

  4. Students taking SPAN 3972 MUST ATTEND the corresponding faculty information session.  Dates will be announced soon, but will be scheduled the week of November 15th. Students studying abroad will be required to view these sessions online. Videos will be posted the week after the sessions.
    • Section 001 with Prof. Hanneken will be on Wednesday, November 18 from 12:15-1:15pm in 113 Folwell.
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    • Section 002 with Prof. Marrero-Fente will be on Friday, November 20 from 3-4pm in 113 Folwell
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    • Section 003 with Prof. Spadaccini will be on Tuesday, November 17 from 9-10am in 113 Folwell
  5. ALL STUDENTS taking Span 3972 in the Summer or Fall must attend a mandatory Senior Paper Works in Progress Series (SPWiPS) session during the current semester.  During these sessions current students taking Span 3972 will discuss their projects, provide tips for future students, and answer questions about the class. The dates for SPWiPS are Thursday, Decebmer 10 at 2:00pm in 131 Folwell Hall; and Friday, December 11 at 11:00am in 104 Folwell Hall. Students studying abroad are exempt from this requirement.

  6. HONORS STUDENTS seeking summa status must form a thesis committee during the term prior to taking Span 3972.  This committee is automatically chaired by the faculty member teaching the course and must also include a second faculty member from the Department as well as a third faculty member outside of the Department (.pdf document). This third member must be competent to read and review a work in Spanish or Portuguese.  This can be difficult for those students writing  their thesis during the summer.

Preparing for Graduation

At least one term before a student plans to graduate, s/he must meet with departmental advising concerning all aspects of the major, making sure that all requirements will be met by the anticipated graduation date. In addition, s/he must meet with their College Office concerning all aspects of the overall degree and to formally apply for graduation.

NOTE: Majors and Minors may need to obtain and file an official Program Clearance Form with their College Office in order to graduate with a Major or Minor in Spanish or Portuguese. This form should be completed with departmental advising staff.

Planning for Life After Graduation

Jobs

In today’s job market, language skills are extremely valuable. Studying Spanish and/or Portuguese will greatly increase your marketability. Job possibilities for Spanish and Spanish-Portuguese majors include, but are not limited to, high school teaching (generally requiring College of Education, post-baccalaureate training and certification), foreign trade, government or Peace Corps work, airline work/foreign travel, library work, social service, bilingual education, health sciences and paralegal work. The Department’s strong recommendation concerning a double major or minor outside the Humanities is intended to enhance a wider range of professional opportunities.

The best resource for current students in planning for and seeking an internship or job is the Career & Community Learning Center, 135 Johnston Hall, 612-624-7577. Current students can search for internships, full-time positions and volunteer experiences and even post their resume on line through CCLC’s CLA-link. CCLC also offers many resources and workshops for students as they prepare for life after graduation. Current unsolicited job postings for full or part-time work opportunities using Spanish and or Portuguese are posted on the departmental undergraduate listserve sent via email every week. In addition, CCLC offers informational sessions on career options for language majors (contact CCLC for current information).

Graduate study

Students majoring in Spanish and Spanish-Portuguese Studies receive a liberal arts education that prepares them for graduate study or professional programs in the field of their choice. The Department offers interdisciplinary degree programs for the M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish and Hispanic-American literature, Hispanic Linguistics, and Lusophone literature and culture. Additional information about departmental graduate programs is available by visiting the Graduate Information section.

Resources for U of M Students:

Also see Student Resources

Along with the Department Advising office, The Career Development Center in 109 Eddy Hall (part of University Counseling and Consulting Services) offers assistance in education and career planning, including workshops on job searching and assistance with resumes. These services are open to U of M students and alumni.

Relevant Professional Organizations

American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)
Modern Language Association of America (MLA)
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is dedicated to promoting the study of foreign languages and cultures as an integral component of American education and society.

American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP)
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Last modified on November 4, 2009