Spanish, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Spanish

The Spanish major gives students the skills to understand and relate to many cultures, empowering them to pursue meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings. In addition to developing advanced Spanish language skills and intercultural competence, Spanish majors can take coursework in linguistics, literature, and cultural studies. Many students also take courses that prepare them to use Spanish in professional settings including healthcare, business, and the non-profit sector. Our recommended study abroad programs in Spain and Latin America allow students to complete their major requirements abroad while also providing opportunities for internships and service-learning. Transfer students and ICT students must have earned credit for one SPAN course at the 200-level or higher to declare the major.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Spanish

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the Student Affairs Office before the end of the fourth semester (48-60 hours). Please see your adviser.

Departmental distinction: To be considered for departmental distinction, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and fulfill special additional requirements. See the department's honors adviser.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 48 hours, including 33 hours in Spanish courses at the 200-level or higher.  Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Major Requirements

33 hours of SPAN courses 133
SPAN 228
Spanish Composition
4 to 6 200-level SPAN courses
4 to 6 300- and/or 400-level SPAN courses
Supporting course work, a minor, or a second major in an area of study chosen by the student and approved by the advisor. 215-21
Total Hours48-54
1

 With permission of the adviser, students will be able to take up to two SPAN courses that are taught in a language other than Spanish. Or up to two 200-level SPAN courses can be substituted with any of the following: BASQ 401 and BASQ 402, CATL 401 and CATL 402, PORT 401 and PORT 402, and LAST 445. These courses do not count for advanced hours and do not substitute for  SPAN 228.

2

A minor generally consists of 16-21 hours.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Spanish

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHours
Free Elective course1
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
Composition I or General Education course4
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
First Year
Second SemesterHours
SPAN 200-level course3
SPAN 200-level course3
Language Other Than English (4th level)4
General Education course or Composition I3
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
SPAN 2283
General Education course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
SPAN 200-level course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Supporting coursework3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
First SemesterHours
SPAN 200-level course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Supporting coursework3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
SPAN 300-400 level course3
SPAN 300-400 level course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Supporting coursework3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
SPAN 300-400 level course3
SPAN 300-400 level course3
Supporting coursework3
Supporting coursework3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
SPAN 300-400 level course3
SPAN 300-400 level course3
Supporting coursework3
Supporting coursework3
Free Elective course2
 14
Total Hours 14

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Spanish

  1. Intellectual Reasoning and Knowledge
    • Definition: Students of Spanish will acquire and apply broad and deep knowledge about the Spanish language and the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
  2. Translingual competence
    • Definition: Students of Spanish will understand and analyze the nature of the Spanish language, “languages” in general, the social nature of languages and demonstrate intercultural communicative competence.
  3. Transcultural competence
    • Definition: Through critical reflection, students of Spanish will understand and analyze the products, practices and perspectives of their own culture, cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and the nature of “culture” itself.
  4. Communicative Competence in Spanish
    • Definition: In reading, writing, listening comprehension and speaking, students will acquire advanced proficiency in Spanish as described by the standards set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Spanish

Department of Spanish & Portuguese

Department of Spanish & Portuguese website
Spanish Faculty
Spanish Advising

span-port@lists.illinois.edu

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

College of LAS admissions and requirements
College of LAS website