Chicano Studies, Languages, and Linguistics
Return to: College of Liberal Arts
The Department of Chicano Studies, Languages, and Linguistics is committed to excellence in teaching and scholarship that prepares students to fully understand the nature, importance, and multiple roles of language, literature, and culture. We offer undergraduate degrees and minors in Spanish, French, and Linguistics and a master's degree in Spanish and Linguistics. We also have a minor in Translation and Interpretation and a graduate certificate in Bilingual Professional Writing. In addition to Spanish and French, we have an ever-expanding menu of language courses--Portuguese, Italian, German, Latin, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, and Hebrew. Many of our graduates go on to successful careers in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education; in law and law enforcement; in business; and in government. Others utilize their UTEP training in pursuing terminal degrees and a successful academic career in research and teaching.
We recognize our significant responsibility to serve the El Paso and surrounding communities. Indeed, our location on the U.S.-Mexico border makes the Department of Chicano Studies, Languages, and Linguistics at UTEP the ideal place not only to study but also to experience daily realities about language acquisition and cultural diversity. Moreover, we reach out to the Paso del Norte Community through public lectures, conferences, and international festivals.
Placement Examinations
Spanish
Courses at the elementary and intermediate level in Spanish are of two types: Spanish for Non-Native Speakers:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 1301 | Spanish One | 3 |
| SPAN 1302 | Spanish Two | 3 |
| SPAN 2301 | Interm Spanish One Non-Nat Spk | 3 |
| SPAN 2302 | Interm Spanish Two Non-Nat Spk | 3 |
Spanish for Spanish Speakers:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 2303 | Spanish For Spanish Spkrs One | 3 |
| SPAN 2304 | Spanish for Spanish Spkrs Two | 3 |
All students interested in Spanish MUST take the Spanish Placement Exam before enrolling in any Spanish course. Failure to comply in taking the exam will cause a delay in the enrollment process. The Placement Exam is offered by the Student Assessment and Testing Office, 127 Academic Advising Center (Telephone 915.747.5009 to check on the schedule testing date). The Department of Languages and Linguistics reserves the right to rectify errors in placement caused by a student's failure to observe these guidelines, including the option to drop a student enrolled in an inappropriate course.
French
Students who have acquired a significant knowledge of French through high school study (usually two years or more) or by some other means are urged to take the French Placement Exam before enrolling. The Exam is offered by the Student Assessment and Testing Office, 127 Academic Advising Center (Telephone 915.747.5009 for testing schedule). The Department of Languages and Linguistics reserves the right to rectify errors in placement caused by a student's failure to observe these guidelines, including the option to drop a student enrolled in an inappropriate course. For further information, including information about the CLEP and AP exams, students should consult the French advisor.
Arabic, Chinese, German, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Persian, Portuguese, and Russian are also taught in the department and may be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement in the College of Liberal Arts.
Students who have acquired a significant knowledge of any of the aforementioned languages through high school study (usually two years or more) or by some other means are urged to consult the department chair for advising. Students with no or inadequate knowledge of either of these languages should enroll in the first-semester course.
ESOL
Regarding English for Speakers of Other Languages, a placement exam is required of all students who were admitted to UTEP based on TOEFL (with a score of less than 600), PTE (with score of less than 44), or PAA scores. Information about testing schedules is available from the Student Assessment and Testing Office, at 915.747.5009.
Bilingual Professional Writing Certificate
Students in any major who have some fluency in both English and Spanish are eligible to pursue certification. They are required to pass, with a B or better, a combination of two English classes and two Translation classes. They then pass an exit exam to receive the certificate. For further information, consult either the Department of English or the Department of Latin-US and Linguistics.