Spanish Language, Literatures, and Cultures Major

Spanish is one of the world’s great languages of commerce and diplomacy, and has rich literary and cultural traditions.

Graduates who receive a B.A. in Spanish have a diverse array of opportunities in many different fields, especially those with an international focus, including further specialized studies in literature, language and cultures, or careers in other fields such as education, public service, business, law, environmental policies, social services, medicine or the arts. The undergraduate major in Spanish consists of 36 credits of coursework beyond the prerequisite courses, with an additional 9 credits in a supporting area. Students can choose from 3 major tracks, including: 1) Spanish and Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media; 2) Spanish Linguistics, Culture, and Education; and 3) Spanish Language, Culture, and Professional Contexts. To declare a major in Spanish, students should meet with the undergraduate advisor to begin the process. After this advising session, prospective majors will also need advising from the College of Arts And Humanities in 1120 Francis Scott Key.

With courses covering art, literature, film, performance and cultural studies, this track prepares students to connect with their local and global communities. Focusing on cultural competence, students are given opportunities to read, listen to, watch, and discuss the best works the Spanish-speaking world has to offer.

SPAN103, 203, 204 or equivalent AP/IB credit, transfer credit or WLP score.

Required core courses (12 credits - 4 courses)

SPAN207 Reading and Writing in Spanish; or SPAN206 Spanish for Heritage Speakers
SPAN301 Advanced Grammar and Composition I; or SPAN306 Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
SPAN303 Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World
SPAN311 Advanced Communication I or 316 Spanish Translation I; or SPAN307 Oral Communication Skills for Heritage Speakers

Choose one sequence of 3 courses (9 credits)

Spanish Culture, Civilization, and Literature

SPAN331 Medieval Times
SPAN332 Renaissance and Baroque
SPAN333 Modern Times

OR

Latin American Literatures and Cultures

SPAN361 From Pre-Columbian to Colonial Times
SPAN362 From Independence to Nation Formation
SPAN363 From Modernism to Neo-Liberalism

Choose four courses (12 credits)

SPAN400 courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media.

Please check the schedule of classes to see what courses are offered during any given semester.

Choose one course (3 credits)

SPAN300 or 400 courses in Spanish Linguistics, Cultures, and Education or Spanish Language, Cultures, and Professional Contexts.

Please check the schedule of classes to see what courses are offered during any given semester.

It is not permitted to take SPAN 301 and SPAN 303 simultaneously; this is possible only by permission of the undergraduate advisor.
Span 311 or 316 can be substituted for another class by permission of the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor.
Span 311 can be substituted for Span 307 for heritage learners.
Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level should speak with the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor for course substitutions.
Students who undertake an honors thesis will take two semesters of Span 479 (6 credits). See Departmental Honors requirements at SPAP website.
All Spanish students are required to take the World Language Placement (WLP) to ensure that they are placed into the best course for them. Information about the WLP
For questions about the Spanish Major or course placements contact: spap-advise@umd.edu.

A group of students standing outside of the library

For students excited about careers in education or with special interests in going beyond the basics of Spanish conversation to understand how a language works! This track offers students the opportunity to gain an understanding of today’s interrelated world through actively studying language use in unique, authentic, and real-life contexts.

SPAN103, 203, 204 or equivalent AP/IB credit, transfer credit or WLP score.

Required core courses (12 credits – 4 courses)

SPAN207 Reading and Writing in Spanish; or SPAN206 Spanish for Heritage Speakers
SPAN301 Advanced Grammar and Composition I; or SPAN306 Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
SPAN303 Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World
SPAN311 Advanced Communication I; or 316 Spanish Translation I; or SPAN307 Oral Communication Skills for Heritage Speakers

Choose one sequence of 3 courses (9 credits)

Spanish Cultures, Civilization, and Literature

SPAN331 Medieval Times
SPAN332 Renaissance and Baroque
SPAN333 Modern Times

OR

Latin American Literatures and Cultures

SPAN361 From Pre-Columbian to Colonial Times
SPAN362 From Independence to Nation Formation
SPAN363 From Modernism to Neo-Liberalism

Choose two courses (6 credits)

SPAN400 courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Cultures, and Media.

Please check the schedule of classes to see what courses are offered during any given semester.

Core courses (9 credits)

SPAN325 Hispanic Linguistics I: Grammar and Society
SPAN425 Hispanic Linguistics II: Structures of Spanish
SPAN426 Hispanic Linguistics III: Language in Use

It is not permitted to take SPAN 301 and SPAN 303 simultaneously; this is possible only by permission of the undergraduate advisor.
Span 311 or 316 can be substituted for another class by permission of the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor.
Span 311 can be substituted for Span 307 for heritage learners.
Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level should speak with the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor for course substitutions.
Students who undertake an honors thesis will take two semesters of Span 479 (6 credits). See Departmental Honors requirements at SPAP website.
All Spanish students are required to take the World Language Placement (WLP) to ensure that they are placed into the best course for them. Information about the WLP
For questions about the Spanish Major or course placements contact: spap-advise@umd.edu.

female student standing in front of a poster presentation

This track is designed for students who are planning to engage with Spanish speaking communities in practical contexts and daily tasks in their occupations. Ideal for students with clear career interests that are looking for the specialized language practice for their chosen field.

SPAN103, 203, 204 or equivalent AP/IB credit, transfer credit or WLP score.

Required core courses (12 credits – 4 courses)

SPAN207 Reading and Writing in Spanish; or SPAN206 Spanish for Heritage Speakers
SPAN301 Advanced Grammar and Composition I; or SPAN306 Spanish for Heritage Speakers II
SPAN303 Approaches to Cultural Materials in the Hispanic World
SPAN311 Advanced Communication I; or 316 Spanish Translation I; or SPAN307 Oral Communication Skills for Heritage Speakers

Choose one sequence of 3 courses (9 credits)

Spanish Culture, Civilization, and Literature

SPAN331 Medieval Times
SPAN332 Renaissance and Baroque
SPAN333 Modern Times

OR

Latin American Literatures and Cultures

SPAN361 From Pre-Columbian to Colonial Times
SPAN362 From Independence to Nation Formation
SPAN363 From Modernism to Neo-Liberalism

Choose two courses (6 credits)

SPAN400 courses in Spanish or Latin American Literature, Cultures, and Media.
Please check the schedule of classes to see what courses are offered during any given semester.

Choose two courses (6 credits)

SPAN318 Translation of Technical Texts
SPAN370 Spanish for Business I
SPAN371 Spanish for the Health Professions
SPAN372 Spanish and the Law
SPAN373 Spanish in the Media
SPAN374 Spanish in the Community
SPAN375 Spanish in the Life Sciences
SPAN470 Spanish for Business II

Choose one course (3 credits)

SPAN422 Intercultural Communication and Negotiation
SPAN470 Spanish for Business II

It is not permitted to take SPAN 301 and SPAN 303 simultaneously; this is possible only by permission of the undergraduate advisor.
Span 311 or 316 can be substituted for another class by permission of the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor.
Span 311 can be substituted for Span 307 for heritage learners.
Native speakers and all others with the ability to begin coursework at a higher level should speak with the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor for course substitutions.
Students who undertake an honors thesis will take two semesters of Span 479 (6 credits). See Departmental Honors requirements at SPAP website.
All Spanish students are required to take the World Language Placement Assessment (WLP) to ensure that they are placed into the best course for them. Information about the WLP
For questions about the Spanish Major or course placements contact: spap-advise@umd.edu.

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers several courses specifically designed for Spanish heritage learners.

Spanish heritage learners are students who have a linguistic and cultural connection with the Spanish language. This may be because they come from homes where Spanish is spoken, their heritage is linked to a country or area where Spanish is spoken, or they live or have lived in a community that speaks Spanish.

The courses we offer recognize the diverse cultural and linguistic profiles of our students. Our classes can accommodate students who are exposed to Spanish-speaking environments in a variety of social and/or professional environments but understand or speak little Spanish. We can also help Spanish heritage learners who seek to strengthen their skills in professional or academic registers of Spanish. In general, our goal is to help students develop their Spanish skills so they feel more confident when using Spanish in different contexts.

Our courses for Spanish heritage learners focus on strengthening and expanding students’ communicative competence in a variety of contexts and texts and fostering an appreciation for and understanding of the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Spanish-speaking world, including the United States.

All students majoring in Spanish are encouraged to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking environment. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers exciting opportunities for Spanish majors and minors to fulfill requirements abroad. See Education Abroad for more information.

Many successful students choose to double major in Spanish and another chosen field. If the two majors do not belong to the same college, the requirements of both colleges must be met. The courses for the other major will fulfill the Spanish Supporting Courses requirement. A double major may be earned with completion of all requirements and a total of 120 credits. A double degree may be awarded with completion of all requirements and a total of 150 credits. The student must decide on a primary and a secondary major. Academic decisions for each student are made by the primary college.

Students may combine the Spanish linguistics option with a second major in foreign language education to earn teacher certification. Students must take the California Achievement Test to become eligible for admission to the College of Education's World Languages Concentration. Information and Declaration of Major Forms can be found in room 1210 of the Benjamin Building. A graduate program in education for teacher certification is available to students who receive a B.A. in Spanish from our department.

Quick Links

Track 1: Spanish and Latin American Literature, Culture, and Media

About

Prerequisites

Course Requirements

Notes

Track 2: Spanish Linguistics, Cultures, and Education

About

Prerequisites

Course Requirements

Notes

Track 3: Spanish Language, Cultures, and Professional Contexts

About

Prerequisites

Course Requirements

Notes

Courses for Heritage Speakers

Study Abroad

Double Major/Double Degree

Combination of the Spanish Major and Teacher’s Certification

Spanish Undergraduate Advisor

Christopher Lewis

Heritage Students Advisor

Evelyn Canabal-Torres