Spanish Major
A major in Spanish provides students with the analytical skills necessary to undertake linguistic, cultural and literary investigation. Students perfect their language skills so that they are able to communicate their views effectively in written and spoken Spanish and Portuguese. All students majoring in Spanish are required to choose an emphasis in one of the following areas:
Hispanic Linguistics
An emphasis in Linguistics provides students with a scientific study of the Spanish language. In these classes, students explore how language is formulated and organized in our brains, what Spanish structures are possible and why, and how sounds are organized, produced, and perceived.
Hispanic Literature
An emphasis in Hispanic literature is a comprehensive and innovative program in the writings and cultures of the Hispanic world.
Spanish Generalist
The Spanish General Emphasis offers students innovative courses in Spanish that help them improve their skills in intercultural communication. Our professors are well-known scholars who specialize in a variety of fields, such as: visual art, music, cinema, culture, literature, urban spaces, borders/migration, translation, interpretation, and linguistics.
Spanish & Portuguese
Students in the Spanish & Portuguese emphasis complete coursework in language, literature, linguistics, and culture in both languages. Students begin at whatever level is deemed appropriate based on a placement exam.
Translation & Interpretation
An emphasis in Translation & Interpretation provides students the academic resources and practical skills necessary for professional development as an interpreter and translator, focusing on healthcare and legal fields.
Additionally, a mimimum of two semesters of Portuguese (PORT 305a and 325a) are required for all Spanish majors. Students who want to become middle or high school Spanish teachers must complete 24 units of upper division coursework in Spanish and be admitted into the College of Education. For specific requirements, please see the Degree Requirements page.
Many Spanish majors have double majors or dual degrees and benefit from generous double-dipping policies. To learn more about these policies, please schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Advisor for Spanish & Portuguese
Minor in Spanish
We offer two minors: a minor in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese.
The Spanish Minor requires 18-20 units of coursework - minimum of 6 courses. Depending on proficiency, additional SPAN 300 and 400 electives may be needed to meet this total
Minor in Portuguese
Here is the roadmap of undergraduate requirements for a Portuguese minor:
Start
The first step is to take PORT 101 and 102 for a total of 8 units. If you already speak Spanish, please start with PORT 305A and PORT 325A. If you believe you are at a higher level of Portuguese proficiency, please contact Ana Carvalho (anac@arizona.edu) for a placement exam and proceed to the next step.
Next
The minor requires a minimum of 18 units beyond the two 100-level language courses and includes taking PORT 350. Please note that students who began with PORT 305A can use this course towards the minor requirements.
Required Courses
There is only 1 course required for the Portuguese minor. All students pursuing a Portuguese minor must complete PORT 350 – Introduction to Genres and Literary Analysis
Elective Courses
The remaining 15 units can be chosen from the following list (9 of these units need to be on the 300-level or above).
LANGUAGE CLASSES:
- PORT 425 – Third Semester of Portuguese: Advanced Grammar, Composition, and Writing Skills
LITERATURE CLASSES:
- PORT 401 – Luso-Brazilian Literature - 1900
- PORT 430 – Brazilian Civilization
- PORT 463 – Topics in Luso-Brazilian Literature
LINGUISTICS CLASSES:
- PORT 440 – Portuguese Phonetics and Phonology
- PORT 452 – Introduction to Portuguese Linguistics
- PORT 498 Senior Capstone
- PORT 399/499 Independent Study (as appropriate)
Portuguese Minor Complete!
Muito bem parabéns!
Minors are chosen in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish. The Department strongly encourages majors to pursue a minor in Portuguese. Majors in Spanish are encouraged to take courses in areas related to their area of study such as Latin American Studies or Mexican and Mexican American Studies. For specific requirements, please see the Degree Requirements page.
Questions? Contact the Undergraduate Advisor for Spanish and Portuguese.