Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Spanish Studies B.A.Spanish & Portuguese Studies
College of Liberal Arts
The program develops analytical skills and methodologies needed to explore Hispanic and Hispanic-American languages and cultures.
It is important to note that department majors and minors are not simply Spanish and Portuguese language majors or minors; rather, they are liberal arts majors and minors concentrating on Spanish, Latin American, and/or Luso-Brazilian literary, cultural, and linguistic studies with language skills at the foundation. All major and minor options in this department begin with prerequisite language courses, followed by advanced language skills courses (special arrangements may be made for native speakers of Spanish or Portuguese). These are followed by critical analysis skills courses in Hispanic literature, culture, and linguistics that prepare students to take advanced coursework in specific areas. The major options culminate in the completion of a senior project through a SPAN 5xxx course or SPAN 3972W.
Majors are required to enroll in a minimum 6-week study abroad experience, or a semester-long service learning course. The study abroad requirement must be fulfilled in a Spanish-speaking country, involve at least one three credit course taught in Spanish, and include courses related to Spanish studies. Students must meet with the department advisor prior to departure. The service learning requirement is fulfilled by semester-long SPAN 3401, or SPAN 3404, or other courses with advisor consent.
Detailed information regarding Spanish and Portuguese studies undergraduate academic issues is printed in the Undergraduate Advising Handbook (available at http://spanport.cla.umn.edu).
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language.
CLA degrees require students to complete 48 credits of upper division coursework taken at the 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx level. For a BA at least 18 of the 48 upper division credits must be outside of the major. For some specific majors, there are exceptions to this requirement.
This program requires 18 upper division credits outside the major. See your advisor for a list of courses that can or cannot be used to meet this requirement.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
Spanish.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
The Spanish Studies major is completed with a minimum of 54 credits and 15 courses, which includes 20 credits of preparatory coursework (SPAN 1001-1004 or equivalent), and 34 credits within the major. The major requires at least 5-6 semesters of language above and beyond the CLA second language requirement. Students pursuing a second CLA major may choose to complete the senior project requirement in their other major. These students are required to substitute 3 credits of advanced SPAN electives with a 31xx pre-req for SPAN 3972W. Students need to complete at least 6 of the upper level major courses in residence. Three of these courses can be fulfilled either on campus or through department sponsored study abroad programs. The other three courses must be advanced elective courses (at least two with a critical analysis prerequisite) and must be taken on campus (Span 3972w/Span 5xxx/Port 5xxx counts towards this requirement).
The department administers two allowable degree combinations: Spanish Studies B.A. and Portuguese Studies minor, or Spanish Studies minor and Portuguese Studies minor. No other departmental degree combinations are allowed.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.
Preparatory Coursework
These courses (20 credits), or equivalent, must be taken in sequential order. In select cases, students with advanced proficiency may be exempt from taking some or all of these courses. See the departmental advisor for more information.
Take 0 - 4 course(s) totaling 0 - 20 credit(s) from the following:
or
SPAN 1022 - Alternate Second-Semester Spanish
(5.0 cr)
SPAN 1003 - Intermediate Spanish
(5.0 cr)
Advanced Language Course
SPAN 3015W - Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Critical Analysis Courses
Take the following 3 courses for a total of 9 credits:
SPAN 3104W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
SPAN 3105W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Cultures
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
SPAN 3107W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Linguistics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Spanish Major Electives
Take 6 SPAN 3xxx courses. 4 of the 6 must have a Span Critical Analysis prereq. Of the 6, take 1 course from each area: culture, linguistics, and literature. As an elective, SPAN 3970 must be taken for 3 credits. Honors students must take at least 1 SPAN 5xxx course. Up to 1 approved course taught in English with coursework completed in Spanish can count toward the major as an elective without a Critical Analysis prereq. Written departmental consent is required during the first week of classes.
Take 6 or more course(s) totaling 18 or more credit(s) from the following:
Electives
Literature Electives
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3211 - Interpreting Imperial Spain, 1492-1800
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3212 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3221 - Interpreting Colonial Latin America: Empire and Early Modernity
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3222 - Interpreting Modern and Contemporary Latin America
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3910 - Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3920 - Topics in Spanish-American Literature
(3.0 cr)
Culture and Civilization Electives
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3502 - Modern Spain
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3510 - Issues in Hispanic Cultures
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3512 - Modern Latin America
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3800 - Film Studies in Spanish
(3.0 cr)
Linguistics Electives
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3701 - Structure of Spanish: Phonology and Phonetics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3702 - Structure of Spanish: Morphology and Syntax
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3703 - Origins and History of Spanish and Portuguese
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3704 - Sociolinguistics of the Spanish-Speaking World
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3706 - Spanish Applied Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3707 - Linguistic Accuracy Through Translation
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3730 - Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
SPAN 3970
Depending on the topic, this course may fulfill culture, literature, or linguistics requirement.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3970 - Directed Studies
(1.0-4.0 cr)
Additional Electives
Any courses not used to fulfill culture/literature/linguistics requirements may be taken as additional electives.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
PORT 3001 - Portuguese for Spanish Speakers
(4.0 cr)
Senior Seminar
Take a minimum of 3 credits. Majors fulfill the senior seminar requirement one of two ways: after all other major courses are complete, enroll in SPAN 3972W with departmental advisor permission, or enroll in a SPAN 5xxx with instructor permission. Students seeking Honors in Spanish must enroll in SPAN 3972W.
SPAN 3972W - Capstone Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
SPAN 5xxx
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3015W - Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3104W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3105W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Cultures
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3107W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Linguistics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3972W - Capstone Seminar
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 1001/Span 4001 |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Madr 1002/Span 1002/Span 1022/ |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Madr 1002/Span 1002/Span 1022/ |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Madr 1003/Span 1003 |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 1004/Span 1034/Span 1044 |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 1004/Span 1034/Span 1044 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 1004/Span 1034/Span 1044 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3015/Ecdr 3015/Span 3015/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3104W/Span 3104W/Tldo3104 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3105W/Span 3105V/Tldo 310 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3107W/Tldo 3107W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3211/Tldo 3211 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3221/Tldo 3002 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3222/Tldo 3222 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3502/Tldo 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3701/Tldo 3236/Venz 3705 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3702/3802 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3704/3804 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3022/Tldo 3022/Tldo 3023/ |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3044/ Tldo 3044 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3972/W/V/3974 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3015/Ecdr 3015/Span 3015/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3104W/Span 3104W/Tldo3104 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3105W/Span 3105V/Tldo 310 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3107W/Tldo 3107W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3972/W/V/3974 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |