Spanish Minor
College of Arts and Sciences
Minor Requirements
The minor promotes a broad understanding of Hispanic and Lusophone cultures, literature, and societies; it also encourages students to refine and practice their language skills. In order to complete the minor, students must take a minimum of 5 courses (each of which must be a minimum of 3 credits), distributed as follows:
- Language competence must be demonstrated by successfully completing SPAN 2180 Advanced Spanish Writing Workshop or SPAN 2130 Advanced Spoken Spanish.
Students pursuing a minor must furthermore complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPAN 2205 | Perspectives on Latin America in Spanish | 3 |
| SPAN 2150 | Contemporary Latin American Survey | 3 |
| SPAN 2200 | Perspectives on Latin America | 3 |
| SPAN 2140 | Modern Spanish Survey | 3 |
| or SPAN 2235 | Perspectives on Spain in Spanish | |
| or SPAN 2230 | Perspectives on Spain | |
| PORT 2800 | Perspectives on Brazil | 3 |
In addition, students must take three elective courses. Among those electives (minimum 3 credits each), students are strongly encouraged to take at least one course at the advanced 3000- or 4000-level, and at least one must be a minimum 3-credit course taught in Spanish. No prerequisite coursework (including elementary and intermediate language courses at the 2095-level and lower) may be applied toward the elective requirement. The minimum grade for a course to be applied toward the Spanish minor is B-. No courses taken for S/U grades may be applied toward the minor.
Students wishing to enroll in the minor must register their intent by contacting the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Study Abroad
Fall and Spring Semesters in Spain and Latin America:
Cornell formed part of the CASA Consortium based in Seville, Barcelona, Havana, Santiago, and Buenos Aires. For example, students who attend the Seville program spend the first month before the semester begins in an orientation session at the University of Seville, where they take courses in Spanish language and culture and take advantage of special lectures and field trips. Once the semester begins, students enroll in regular classes at the University of Seville and at the program’s center facility. Center courses are designed for the program and include a seminar offered by the resident director, from the faculty of either Cornell or Pennsylvania. Other center courses typically include history of art, history of the Mediterranean region, a literature course, and Spanish composition and syntax. In Seville, students live in private homes and a rich array of cultural activities and excursions are organized every semester. To find out more about the programs, visit the Office of Global Learning.
Applicants are expected to have completed SPAN 2095 Spanish Intermediate Composition and Conversation II before departure. Completion of SPAN 2180 Advanced Spanish Writing Workshop is highly recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad for the entire year rather than one semester. Students interested in the study abroad program should visit the Office of Global Learning.
Summer Program in Madrid
A six-week intensive summer program in Madrid, designed to enhance language skills in a cultural context. The 3-credit courses offered satisfy the language requirement of Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, and SPAN 2230 Perspectives on Spain may be counted either toward the Perspectives requirement or as an elective for the minor in Spanish; it can count as an elective for the Spanish major. Courses are taught by Cornell faculty, Cornell graduate students, and sometimes by a faculty member from another U.S. institution; they are complemented by field trips in and outside Madrid. Interested students should contact the Office of Global Learning or Cecelia Lawless at cbl6@cornell.edu.