The Minor in Spanish, Portuguese or Hispanic linguistics
We offer three minor programs within the department. The first is in Spanish Language and Literatures and requires 5 upper-division Spanish courses (details below). The second is Spanish Linguistics and requires 5 upper-division Spanish linguistics courses (see below) and the final is Luso-Brazilian Language and Literature (see below), which is a minor in Portuguese. A student must take 5 upper-division Portuguese courses beyond Portuguese 102 in order to complete this minor.
All courses must be taken for a letter grade, including all pre-requisites. 3 of the 5 upper-division courses must be taken in residence here at UC Berkeley. Our summer travel study courses are counted as courses in residence. No formal declaration of enrollment in the minor program is required.
Upon completion of the program, however, students must file with the undergraduate advisor of the department the Petition for Confirmation of the Minor Completion form, which you can download as a .pdf from the following web site. http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/fp/00minor.pdf . For more details on the procedures for confirming the minor, see below.
For some frequently asked questions (FAQs), see below .
Minor in Spanish Language and Literatures
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, and 25 (or their equivalents).
The Minor: Any five upper division courses in Spanish/Spanish-American language, linguistics, literature, or culture, selected from the offerings of the department. Courses numbered 140-149, 197 and 199 do not count.
Minor in Spanish Linguistics
Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4, and 25 (or their equivalents).
The Minor: Spanish 100 (Introduction to Spanish Linguistics) and four other upper-division Spanish linguistics classes, from among Spanish 161, 162, 163, 164, 165AC, 166 and 179.
Minor in Luso-Brazilian Language and Literature
Prerequisites: Completion of Portuguese 11 and 12 or Portuguese 101 and 102 (or their equivalents).
The Minor: Any five upper division courses in Portuguese/Brazilian language, linguistics, literature, or culture, selected from the offerings of the department (excluding the prerequisites of Portuguese 101 and 102).
Procedure for Confirming the Minor
If you've taken all five upper-division courses at UC Berkeley, during your final semester here
- Print out a BearFacts transcript.
- Fill out a Confirmation of the Minor Program Completed form.
- Turn these in to staff Undergraduate Advisor in 5317 Dwinelle. Do this even if you're enrolled in a Spanish or Portuguese course at the time.
Note: If you've taken one or two of the five upper-division courses outside of UC Berkeley, you must obtain written approval from the minor faculty adviser. When you go to see the adviser, please take along the transcript showing the letter grade, syllabi for the courses you took and coursework (papers and exams). Submit this approval with above.
Frequently asked questions about the Spanish minors
Q: I've heard from other students that for the Spanish language and literature minor, you must take Spanish 102A and 102B. Are they required?
A: No they're not. The minor is made up of any 5 of our 3-unit, upper-division courses, providing that they are taught in Spanish. We will allow one of our courses if it's taught in English.
Q: How many courses can I count if I study abroad?
A: For the minor, you can count two 3-unit courses. You must take three of the upper-division courses here at UCB.Q: Can any courses that I take abroad that are taught in Spanish or Portuguese (for the Luso-Brazilian minor) count for the minor?
A: No. They must be like courses that we would teach within our department, such as Spanish linguistics, Spanish or Spanish American literature, Advanced Grammar & Composition, or in the case of the Luso-Brazilian minor, Portuguese literature, Portuguese linguistics, Brazilian literature or Advanced grammar & composition in Portuguese. So, if you took a history of Spain course, this would not count toward the Spanish minor.
Q: How do I get my courses approved while I am abroad?A: Final approval is only given upon your return, but tentative approval can be given via email. Email the Undergraduate Advisor at spanua@berkeley.edu and she'll pass it by the appropriate advisor and get back to you.
Q: Where will my minor show - on my diploma, on my transcript, on both?
A: The minor will be posted to your transcript (not your diploma). See the procedures above for how to do this.
Q: Do I have to take the pre-requisites for a letter grade?
A: Yes, Spanish 1 through 4 and 25 must be taken for a letter grade.
Q: If I've taken Spanish in high school or at a community college, will I still have to start with Spanish 1?
A: No. The requirement is that you take Spanish 1 through 4 and 25 or their equivalents. Please see the information about placement to determine at which level you should begin. If you begin at Spanish 3, you need only take Spanish 4 and Spanish 25 before you begin the courses for the minor.
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