The Minor

We offer three minor programs within the department (please see below for details about each option). All courses must be taken for a letter grade, including all prerequisites. Three of the five upper division courses must be taken in residence here at UC Berkeley.


Minor in the Languages, Literatures & Cultures of the Spanish-Speaking World

Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 1-4 (or their equivalents) and Spanish 25

The Minor: Any five upper division courses in Spanish/Spanish-American language, linguistics, literature, or culture, selected from the offerings of the department.


Minor in the Languages, Literatures & Cultures of the Portuguese-Speaking World

Prerequisites: Completion of Portuguese 50

The Minor: Any five upper division courses in Portuguese/Brazilian language, linguistics, literature, or culture, selected from the offerings of the department.


Minor in Hispanic Languages, Linguistics & Bilingualism

Prerequisites: Completion of Spanish 1-4 (or their equivalents) and Spanish 25,  Spanish 100 (Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics)

The Minor: Four other upper-division Spanish linguistics classes (Spanish 101, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 179)


Declaring the Minor

After completion of at least one upper-division course for the minor you can email the Undergraduate Advisor to declare a Spanish or Portuguese minor: spanua@berkeley.edu. Please include your name, SID, and which minor you intend to complete. Your intended minor will then appear on your CalCentral dashboard below your major.

You must declare your minor no later than the semester before your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). If the semester before EGT is fall or spring, the deadline is the last day of RRR week. If the semester before EGT is summer, the deadline is the final Friday of Summer Sessions.


FAQs

Q: I’ve taken Spanish in high school or at a community college. Do I still have to start in Spanish 1?

A: No, the requirement is that you take Spanish 1-4 or their equivalents. Please see the placement guidelines to determine your starting level. For example, if you begin at Spanish 3, you need only take Spanish 4 and Spanish 25 before you begin the five upper-division courses for the minor.

Q: How many courses can I count towards the minor if I study abroad?

A: For the minor, you can count two upper division courses. You must take three of the upper-division courses here at UCB.

Q: Can I take any course abroad that is taught in Spanish or Portuguese to count for the minor?

A: No, they must be equivalent to courses that we would teach within our department.

Q: How do I get my study abroad courses approved for the minor?

A: When choosing study abroad courses to count for your Spanish or Portuguese minor you must email the Undergraduate Advisor for approval: spanua@berkeley.edu.

Q: Where will my minor appear—on my diploma, on my transcript, on both?

A: The minor will be posted to your transcript, not your diploma.