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The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 34-50 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree.

This major can be completed with a minimum of 34 upper-division units.

Language Competence Prerequisite: 0-16 units

Only upper-division Spanish courses count toward the Spanish major. The prerequisite for all upper-division Spanish courses is SPAN 202 (Fourth Semester Spanish) or its equivalent language competence. Students with little or no previous language preparation or competence must complete some or all of the following courses.

0-4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SPAN 101 First-Semester Spanish   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 is not available for credit to students with two or more years of Spanish within the last three years.
Introduction to Spanish language and culture. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009113)
SPAN 102 Second-Semester Spanish   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 101 or equivalent.
Continuation of SPAN 101. Emphasis on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009118)
SPAN 201 Third-Semester Spanish   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 102 or equivalent.
Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101 and SPAN 102. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009121)
SPAN 202 Fourth-Semester Spanish   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or equivalent.
Reviewing and expanding of language skills and cultural concepts introduced in SPAN 101, SPAN 102, and SPAN 201. This course includes composition and reading. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (009120)

Note: Some or all of these courses may be waived by the Department through demonstrated language competence or previous high school or community college study. Students with one year of high school Spanish should enroll in SPAN 102; two years: SPAN 201; three years: SPAN 202. Please consult the department for proper level of placement.

Upper-Division Requirements: 34 units

5 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
SPAN 301 Grammar and Composition   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SPAN 202 or equivalent. May be taken concurrently with SPAN 321 and/or SPAN 303.
Intensive review of grammar and its application in composition. This course or its equivalent is a prerequisite for all other upper-division courses. Required of all majors and minors. 3 hours discussion. (009137)
SPAN 302 Reading and Composition   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Emphasis on fluency, style, and syntax. Required of all majors and minors. 3 hours discussion. (009139)
SPAN 341 Introduction to Latin American Literature   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. The works studied will be short stories, full-length plays, and Hispanic-American narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 341 and SPAN 342 are required of all majors and count as electives for the minor. Either fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009140)
SPAN 342 Introduction to Spanish Peninsular Literature   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: SPAN 301.
Introduces students to the study of Hispanic literature and culture, and develops their skills in language comprehension and analysis of prose, poetry, and drama. Works studied will be the novel, one-act plays, and Peninsular Spanish narrative and lyric poetry. SPAN 342 is required of all majors and fulfills the prerequisite for all other upper-division literature courses. 3 hours discussion. (009141)
SPAN 497 Spanish Exam and WP   1.0 FS  GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; upper-division standing.
To be taken concurrently with any upper-division Spanish course. The course includes two components, the Spanish Subject Matter Assessment Exam and the Writing Proficiency Research Paper. The comprehensive exam covers Spanish language, Spanish linguistics, and Spanish and Latin American literature and culture. The Writing Proficiency Research Paper is an investigative/analytical essay in English on a major work of Hispanic literature. Students show mastery of the major areas of study in Spanish as well as the ability to investigate, plan and write essays using correct English and in a style suitable to literary analysis. 1 hour discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009156)

21 units selected from:

Any other upper-division Spanish (SPAN) courses, except SPAN 354, not taken previously, to include at least two 400-level courses.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

  1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
  2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
  3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
  6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Catalog Cycle:12