Spanish is the national language in 19 countries on four continents and is the fourth most spoken language world wide. Los Angeles is now the second-largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. In some areas of the United States, it is used in schools, courts, business, and every phase of daily life. In a few years, more than 35 percent of all Americans will speak Spanish as their first language. Our ties with Latin America continue to grow, and in the past decade, U.S. trade has grown faster in the Northern and Southern hemispheres than in any other part of the world. Because of the growing importance of Spanish in this country, career opportunities for majors are stronger and more varied than ever. Our graduates are working in businesses with Latin American connections, in law offices with Hispanic clients, and as health professionals, sociologists, teachers, coaches, and law enforcement personnel. Some continue their studies in graduate schools, Miami's well-regarded MA program in Spanish now offers a five-year BA/MA option for the strongest students who may apply to the program in their junior year.<br>Among the requirements for the Spanish major are courses in language skills as well as courses in Latin American and Peninsular Spanish literature and linguistics. These courses provide the broadest possible exposure to the many aspects of Hispanic language and civilization, from the medieval epic of the Cid through Cervantes and Sor Juana In's de la Cruz and such contemporary writers as Garca Lorca, Borges, Isabel Allende, Rosario Castellanos, and Garca Mrquez.<br><br>You will study subjects in their cultural and historical context. Courses are taught in related sequences. For example, if you take Spanish Literature in the (Spanish) Civil War, the text covers literature, art, history, and frequently film. Linguistics classes focus on the cultural influences of/on language, second-language acquisition, dialectology, and other areas. <br>You may be eligible for credit through advanced placement examinations. Check with the department for details. You can also apply for departmental honors, several department-sponsored scholarships, and an essay award.<br><br>Outside the classroom, you can get to know fellow students and professors and learn more about the culture and language through extracurricular activities sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. There are also films, guest lecturers, and picnics for students, faculty, and staff.