Applied Spanish in the University Curriculum: A Successful Model for Community-Based Service-Learning

Abstract

In 2002 the Applied Spanish: Community Studies minor at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) was approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The Applied Spanish minor is a 21 credit-hour interdiscipli nary minor that melds community-based service-learning with traditional classroom methodology. This article presents a curricular model that other institutions may wish to follow. It describes the origin and development of the program, its courses and service-learning opportunities, and the results of a survey that evaluates benefits to students in the areas of cultural understanding and knowledge of Hispanics, language learning attitudes, leader ship skills, social responsibility, and career impact.