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Twin Cities Campus
Spanish and Portuguese Studies B.A.Spanish & Portuguese Studies
College of Liberal Arts
The program develops analytical skills and methodologies needed to explore Hispanic, Hispanic-American, and Luso-Brazilian languages and cultures. The department offers two majors (Spanish studies and combined Spanish-Portuguese studies) and two minors (Spanish studies and Portuguese studies).
It is important to note that department majors and minors are not simply Spanish and Portuguese language programs; rather, they are liberal arts programs concentrating on Spanish, Latin American, and/or Luso-Brazilian literary, cultural, and linguistics studies with language skills as 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/Lusophone literature, culture, and linguistics that prepare students to take advanced coursework in specific areas. The major options culminate in the completion of a capstone through a SPPT 5xxx course, a PORT 5xxx course, or SPAN 3972W.
The department strongly encourages majors and minors to study abroad in a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country or territory. Students who wish to complete department program requirements through study abroad must meet with the department advisor prior to departure. Detailed information regarding undergraduate Spanish and Portuguese studies academic issues is printed in the Undergraduate Advising Handbook (also available at https://cla.umn.edu/spanish-portuguese).
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
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 and Portuguese with a grade of C-, or better, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
The Spanish and Portuguese Studies BA requires 5-6 semesters of language above and beyond the CLA second language requirement.
CLA BA degrees require 18 upper division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Spanish and Portuguese Studies BA is SPPT.
The Spanish and Portuguese Studies BA is completed with a minimum of 32 credits and 10 courses:
-0-40 credits (0-8 courses) of preparatory coursework
- 32 credits (10 courses) beyond the preparatory courses
Majors are required to study abroad in a Spanish or Portuguese speaking country or territory for at least 6 weeks or take a semester-long service learning course.
At least 17 upper division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
The Spanish and Portuguese Studies BA may be combined with the Spanish Language Advanced Level Proficiency Certificate.
All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) must complete the First-Year Experience course sequence.
All incoming CLA first-year (freshmen) students earning a BA, BS, or BIS degree must complete the second-year career management course CLA 3002.
Preparatory Courses
Choose from the following two options: (1) complete the Spanish language sequence and PORT 3001, or (2) complete the Spanish language sequence and the Portuguese language sequence. Students may start above SPAN 1001 based on language placement.
Take 0 - 8 course(s) totaling 0 - 40 credit(s) from the following:
Option 1
or
SPAN 1022 - Alternate Second-Semester Spanish
(5.0 cr)
SPAN 1003 - Intermediate Spanish
(5.0 cr)
SPAN 1004 - Intermediate Spanish
(5.0 cr)
or
SPAN 1034 - Business Spanish
(5.0 cr)
or
SPAN 1044 - Intermediate Medical Spanish
(5.0 cr)
PORT 3001 - Portuguese for Spanish Speakers
(4.0 cr)
·
Option 2
or
SPAN 1022 - Alternate Second-Semester Spanish
(5.0 cr)
SPAN 1003 - Intermediate Spanish
(5.0 cr)
Advanced Language Courses
Students must complete PORT 3003 and one additional course from Advanced Language Courses.
PORT 3003 - Portuguese Conversation and Composition
(4.0 cr)
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3019W - Composition and Communication for Spanish Speakers of the U.S
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3015W - Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
SPAN 3015V - Honors: Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Critical Analysis and Cultural Foundation Courses
Students must take SPAN 3107W and one additional course from Critical Analysis and Cultural Foundation Courses
SPAN 3107W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Linguistics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3104W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
SPAN 3104V - Honors: 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)
or
SPAN 3105V - Honors: Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Cultures
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Spanish Studies Electives
1 of the 2 Spanish Studies Electives must have a Critical Analysis prerequisite (SPAN 3104W/V, SPAN 3105W/V, or SPAN 3107W). Students pursuing their honors thesis in Spanish and Portuguese Studies must take a PORT5xxx course (or SPPT 5xxx with coursework in Portuguese) as one of their electives and SPAN 3972V as their capstone. These students must also take SPAN 3994 Directed Research (3 cr.) or PORT 3994 Directed Research (3 cr.) the semester before they take SPAN 3972W.
Take exactly 2 course(s) totaling 6 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
Spanish Electives with a Critical Analysis prerequisite
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3211 - Interpreting Imperial Spain, 1492-1800
(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 3301 - Advanced Oral Proficiency Workshop
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3502 - Modern Spain
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3503 - Pre-modern Spanish Culture and Thought
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3510 - Issues in Hispanic Cultures
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3512 - Modern Latin America
(3.0 cr)
·
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 3708 - Spanish in the United States
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3730 - Topics in Hispanic Linguistics
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3800 - Film Studies in Spanish
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3807 - Medical Humanities and Latin American Film: Narratives of Health, Illness & Trauma
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3910 - Topics in Spanish Peninsular Literature
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3920 - Topics in Spanish-American Literature
(3.0 cr)
·
Spanish Electives without a Critical Analysis prerequisite
A course may only count towards this requirement if it was not used as a Critical Analysis Course.
Take 0 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3034 - Advanced Business Spanish
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3044 - Advanced Medical Spanish
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3104W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3401 - Latino Immigration and Community Engagement
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3403 - Latino Immigration on US/Mexican Border
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3404 - Medical Spanish and Community Health Learning
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3105W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Cultures
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
SPAN 3105V - Honors: Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Cultures
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Portuguese Studies Electives
Students pursuing their honors thesis in Spanish and Portuguese Studies must take a PORT5xxx course (or SPPT5xxx with coursework in Portuguese) as one of their electives and SPAN 3972W as their capstone.
Portuguese Electives
Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 9 - 12 credit(s) from the following:
·
PORT 3501W - Global Portuguese: 1300-1900
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PORT 3502W - Global Portuguese: 1900-present
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PORT 3800 - Film Studies in Portuguese
(3.0 cr)
·
PORT 3910 - Topics in Lusophone Literatures
(3.0 cr)
·
PORT 3920 - Topics in Lusophone Cultures
(3.0 cr)
Immersion Experience
Students must enroll in a minimum 6-week study abroad experience, or a semester-long SPAN service learning course.
Option 1 Study Abroad
The study abroad requirement must be fulfilled in a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking country or territory, involve at least one 3-credit course taught in Spanish or Portuguese, and include courses related to Spanish/Portuguese studies. Students must meet with the departmental advisor prior to departure.
or
Option 2 Service Learning
The service learning requirement must be fulfilled by one of the following courses, taught during a full semester.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
SPAN 3401 - Latino Immigration and Community Engagement
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3404 - Medical Spanish and Community Health Learning
(3.0 cr)
·
Other course with advisor consent (3.0 cr)
Capstone
A primary focus of the Capstone is sustained research. Students completing their Honors thesis in Spanish and Portuguese Studies must enroll in SPAN 3972W. Students not pursuing their honors thesis in Spanish and Portuguese Studies may fulfill their capstone by enrolling in either SPAN 3792W or a PORT/SPPT 5xxx course with instructor permission.
Students who double major in CLA and choose to complete the capstone requirement in their other major may waive the Spanish and Portuguese Studies BA capstone, but they do need to replace the 3 credits with another PORT 3xxx/5xxx elective (excludes PORT 3001). Students whose other major is outside of CLA must complete the Spanish and Portuguese Studies capstone.
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:
·
PORT 3501W - Global Portuguese: 1300-1900
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
PORT 3502W - Global Portuguese: 1900-present
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3015V - Honors: Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3015W - Spanish Composition and Communication
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3104V - Honors: Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
SPAN 3104W - Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
[LITR, 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)
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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] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
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: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Port 1102/Port 4102 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Port 1103/Port 4103 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Port 3003/4003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3015/Ecdr 3015/Span 3015/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3015/Ecdr 3015/Span 3015/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
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: | Argn 3104W/Span 3104W/Tldo3104 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3104W/Span 3104W/Tldo3104 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic 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 3105W/Span 3105V/Tldo 310 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic 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 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
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 3.0] |
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 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] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
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 9.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
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 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3104W/Span 3104W/Tldo3104 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
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 3105W/Span 3105V/Tldo 310 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
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] |
Course Equivalencies: | Port 3310/3910 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3972/3974 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Argn 3015/Ecdr 3015/Span 3015/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
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 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic 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 3107W/Tldo 3107W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Span 3972/3974 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |