CU: Home | Search | A to Z | Map

Department of Spanish and Portuguese
 

Undergraduate Major: Spanish Language and Literature

The undergraduate degree in Spanish language and literature emphasizes knowledge and awareness of the fundamental outlines of the history of Spanish literature or of Spanish American literature; the major creative writers in either Spanish or Spanish American literature; basic critical methodologies in the study of poetry, drama, narrative fiction, and the essay; and the social and historical contexts in which particular literary traditions developed.

In addition, students completing the degree in Spanish language and literature are expected to acquire the ability and skills to read sophisticated Spanish texts at a level at which literary analysis can be performed; write and speak Spanish sufficiently to participate in critical discussions and write critical essays; analyze and interpret literary texts in terms of themes, characters, structure, style, and overall textual strategies; relate analysis and interpretations of different texts to one another; and communicate such interpretations competently in written form in Spanish.

This major in Spanish consists of the following requirements:

From the Spanish Department: 32 hours of courses numbered 3000 or above, including 3000, 3100 and 3120 (the last two may be taken concurrently or as recommended by your faculty advisor), 3 hours in Hispanic Linguistics (3050, 4430 or 4440), and at least 12 hours in courses at the 4000 level or above (with at least 9 hours in literature courses, of which at least 3 hours must be chosen from either 4150 or 4160, and at least another 3 hours must be chosen from either 4170 or 4180). No more than 3 independent study credit hours may count toward the major. All Spanish majors are required to complete at least 12 upper-division credits at CU-Boulder, 6 of which must be from the masterpiece courses (4150 & 4170 or 4160 & 4180). No pass/fail courses allowed in major credit hours. No Spanish course with a grade lower than "C-" will be counted in the major requirement.

NOTE: Spanish 4150/4170 or 4160/4180 must be taken at CU-Boulder. There are two excep-tions: students may take 4150/4160 as part of the CU Study Abroad Program in Santiago de Compostela; they may also take 4220/Special Topics during the summer in place of one of the masterpiece courses. THERE ARE NO OTHER EXCEPTIONS. Students will not be given credit for other masterpieces courses taken as part of Study Abroad Programs, except for the Santiago de Compostela program.

In addition to the 32 hours in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, an additional 6 hours in courses from outside the Spanish Department in one or more related field. Please see your faculty advisor for a list of specific courses.



University of Colorado at Boulder