Spanish Major

May be elected as a departmental major

A major in Spanish allows students considerable flexibility in developing a program of study leading to competence in the language and a broad knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literatures. Course offerings are grouped into four clusters from which students will select a program of study based on their interests and career plans:

• Hispanic Communities: For students interested in acquiring a broad knowledge of the diverse societies and cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Included in this cluster are courses on culture, literature, and cinema throughout Spain and Latin America, as well as community service and internship courses.
• Communication and Thought: For students who wish to focus on language, linguistics, translation, communication in literature and other media, as well as the relationships between language, religion, society, and politics.
• Power, Politics, and Cultural Production: For students interested in political and economic issues in the Spanish-speaking world, as expressed in film, literature, and music, historically and in the present-day.
• Race and Gender: For students who wish to explore issues of gender and race among the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

In selecting courses for a given area of specialization, students should refer to the RLL website and discuss their interests with a department advisor. No specific courses are required, nor is it necessary to declare an area of specialization.

Prerequisites to the Major

SPANISH 277 (or 275 & 276). The prerequisite will be waived for Residential College students who complete one RCLANG 324 readings course in Spanish. Students who complete a second and/or a third RCLANG 324 course will receive major credit for a Spanish elective at the 300 level. For eligible students, SPANISH 278, Spanish for Heritage Language Learners, can be substituted for SPANISH 277.

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 10 courses (30 approved credits), of at least 3 credits each, beyond the prerequisite.

SPANISH 308 does not count toward the major.

Required Courses in SPANISH

• 12 to 15 credits chosen from SPANISH  courses numbered 279 to 399
• 15 to 18 credits chosen from SPANISH  courses at the 400 level

Electives/Cognates

• Approved courses in other fields, if taught in Spanish, may also count as electives in Spanish.
• Students may count only one of ITALIAN 410 or PORT 415 toward the Spanish major
• One approved optional cognate course (3 credits), taught in English in the area of Hispanic studies, is allowed. 
• No more than one Independent Study and one internship course (6 credits) can be included in the major/minor.
• Students are encouraged to develop a balanced program of study that addresses the cultural production of various countries and historical periods.

Minimum Credit Requirement

Each course to be counted toward the major must be at least 3 credits.

A concentration in Spanish allows students considerable flexibility in developing a program of study leading to competence in the language and a broad knowledge of Hispanic cultures and literatures.  Course offerings are grouped into four clusters from which students will select a program of study based on their interests and career plans:

• Hispanic Communities: For students interested in acquiring a broad knowledge of the diverse societies and cultures in the Spanish-speaking world.  Included in this cluster are courses on culture, literature, and cinema throughout Spain and Latin America, as well as community service and internship courses.
• Communication and Thought: For students who wish to focus on language, linguistics, translation, communication in literature and other media, as well as the relationships between language, religion, society, and politics.
• Power, Politics, and Cultural Production: For students interested in political and economic issues in the Spanish-speaking world, as expressed in film, literature, and music, historically and in the present-day.
• Race and Gender: For students who wish to explore issues of gender and race among the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. In selecting courses for a given area of specialization, students should refer to the RLL website and discuss their interests with a concentration advisor. No specific courses are required, nor is it necessary to declare an area of specialization.

Minimum Credits = 30

Prerequisites:

SPANISH 277 (or 275 &  276).  The prerequisite will be waived for Residential College students who complete one RCLANG 324 readings course in Spanish. Students who complete a second RCLANG 324 course will receive concentration credit for a Spanish elective at the 300 level. For

 eligible students, SPANISH 278, Spanish for Heritage Language Learners, can be substituted for SPANISH 277.

Required Courses:

A minimum of 30 approved credits beyond the prerequisite, including:

• 12 to 15 credits chosen from Spanish courses numbered 279 to 399
• 15 to 18 credits chosen from Spanish courses at the 400 level

Approved courses in other fields, if taught in Spanish, may also count towards the concentration (for example, "Language Across the Curriculum Courses" at UM, and courses taken abroad).  One approved cognate course (3 credits), taught in English in the area of Hispanic studies is allowed.  No more than one Independent Study or Internship course (3 credits) can be included in a concentration.  Students are encouraged to develop a balanced program of study that addresses the cultural production of various countries and historical periods.

Residence Requirement:  A minimum of 15 of the required 30 credits for the concentration

must be taken either in residence or through a study-abroad program affiliated with the University of Michigan.

Electives:

One approved, optional cognate course (3 credits), taught in English in the area of Hispanic studies, is allowed.

Note: No more than one Independent Study or Internship course (3 credits) can be included in a concentration.

Honors:

Qualified students holding a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a Spanish concentration GPA of 3.7 may apply to the Honors program in Spanish at the beginning of the junior year. To apply students must fill out an application available on the department website at www.lsa.umich.edu/rll/concminors/sphonors.html, and submit a copy of their transcript, a one-page statement of purpose, and a sample essay in Spanish. After reviewing the materials, the Honors advisor will interview the applicant to discuss his/her interests and objectives. To graduate with an Honors concentration, a student must complete the normal concentration requirements in Spanish along with the following requirements:

1.    One additional course in SPANISH (3 credits) at the 400 level.

2.    Composition of a thesis in Spanish (a minimum of 40 pages). The thesis may consist of a critical study relating to Hispanic literature/culture, a creative writing project, or a multi-media project (in which case the page requirement may not apply). The research, planning, and execution will take place during two academic terms. After choosing a faculty member to direct the thesis, the student will enroll in SPANISH 490 and begin researching and drafting the thesis. By the end of the term in which the student elects SPANISH 490, the student will submit for a grade a complete bibliography and a prospectus. In the following academic term the student will enroll in SPANISH 491 and complete the thesis. SPANISH 490 and 491 will count within the seven course sequence of 400-level courses for the Honors degree.

3.    A presentation and discussion of the thesis with the director and one or two other faculty members at the end of the term in which the student elects SPANISH 491. The Honors student has the option of inviting other students to the event.

Teaching Certificate:

Students interested in obtaining a secondary teaching certificate should study the general requirements for professional preparation, which appears under the Teaching Certification Program in this Bulletin.  Specific subject-area requirements for a teaching certificate can be found on the School of Education website at: http://soe.umich.edu/academics/bachelors_degree_program/uste/