Spanish Major

The major in Spanish is designed to immerse students in the complexity and diversity of literary and intellectual traditions in Latin American and Iberian cultures while they achieve language fluency. Students are encouraged to focus on particular interests, such as literary and cultural history, Latina and Latino studies, Lusophone studies, race and ethnicity, film, and cultural history. Many students fulfill some of the major requirements through courses taken in study abroad programs.

Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.

NOTE: This Catalog describes Weinberg College BA requirements that pertain to students who matriculated at Northwestern after spring quarter 2023. Refer to the Archives if you are following BA requirements described in the 2018-2019 through 2022-2023 editions.

Course Title
Prerequisite
SPANISH 121-3
Intermediate Spanish
or SPANISH 125-0
 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish
or SPANISH 127-0
 Accelerated Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Language Learners
or score of 4 on AP Spanish Language and Culture or AP Spanish Literature and Culture. AP score of 5 fullfills prerequisite and additionally places students ahead in major courses. 1
or placement by the online Spanish Language Placement Exam (www.spanish-portuguese.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/language-placement/spanish/online-placement-test.html)
Major in Spanish Requirements (15 units)
2 courses (unless placed out): 1
SPANISH 201-0
& SPANISH 204-0		Advanced Spanish I: Contemporary Latin America
and Advanced Spanish II: Artivism in Times of Political Change
or SPANISH 200-0 Advanced Spanish for Heritage Language Learners
3 literature courses at the 200-level chosen from:
SPANISH 250-0
Literature in Spain before 1700
SPANISH 251-0
Literature in Spain since 1700
SPANISH 260-0
Literature in Latin America before 1888
SPANISH 261-0
Literature in Latin America since 1888
7 300-level courses in the department chosen from: 2
SPANISH 301-0
Topics in Language
or SPANISH 302-0
 Advanced Grammar
SPANISH 323-0
Cervantes' Don Quixote
SPANISH 333-0
The Spanish Civil War: The Good Fight
SPANISH 335-0
Modern Fiction in Spain: Studies in Genre
SPANISH 340-0
Colonial Latin American Literature
SPANISH 341-0
Latin American Modernismo
SPANISH 342-0
Race and Representation in Latin America
SPANISH 343-0
Latin American Avant-Gardes
SPANISH 344-0
Borges
SPANISH 345-0
Reading the 'Boom'
SPANISH 346-0
Testimonial Narrative in Latin America
SPANISH 347-0
Literature and Revolution in Latin America
SPANISH 348-0
Readings in Latin American Short Fiction
SPANISH 350-0
Visual Culture in Latina/o America and Spain
SPANISH 360-0
Spain: Studies in Culture and Society
SPANISH 361-0
Latin America: Studies in Culture and Society
SPANISH 362-0
Citizenship and Urban Violence in Latin America
SPANISH 363-0
Topics in US Latina/o Literary and Cultural Studies
SPANISH 364-0
Cultural Borders/Border Cultures
SPANISH 380-0
Topics in Film in Latin America and/or Spain
SPANISH 395-0
Topics in Latin American, Latina and Latino, and/or Iberian Cultures
3 elective courses at the 200 or 300 level
Electives at the 200 or 300 level related to the Latin American, Iberian, or US Latino/a historical, literary, and/or cultural traditions taken in the department (no more than 1 with readings and discussion in English). Courses may be taken in another department or in study abroad programs with prior approval of an undergraduate adviser.
1

Students who take SPANISH 200-0 only, or skip one or both of SPANISH 201-0 & SPANISH 204-0 based on a score of 5 on AP Spanish exam(s), may take additional 200-level or 300-level department courses as approved by the department adviser to complete a total of 15 units for the major. For details about Advanced Placement see AP Exam Info on the Department of Spanish and Portuguese webpage.

2

The 7 300-level courses must include:

  • At least 1 that deals with a period before 1800
  • At least 1 that deals with the literature and/or culture of Latin America
  • At least 1 that deals with the literature and/or culture of Spain

Honors in Spanish

Majors with strong academic records and an interest in pursuing honors should apply for the honors program during the quarter before independent study for honors is to begin. Students approved by the department enroll in 2 quarters of SPANISH 399-0 during either fall-winter or winter-spring of senior year and complete a senior thesis; the 2 quarters of SPANISH 399-0 count toward the 15 units required for the major.

Students whose theses and grades meet department criteria are recommended to the college for graduation with honors. For more information see the department website, contact a faculty adviser, and see Honors in the Major.