Major

The B.A. in Spanish has three tracks, for non-native, heritage and native speakers of Spanish. These categories refer to a student’s linguistic ability and are determined by the Spanish area adviser. As such, tracks and appropriate courses are selected in consultation with the Spanish area adviser. Study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country is strongly recommended.

Spanish Courses

First and Second Year Language Courses SPAN 1401, SPAN 1402, SPAN 1502, SPAN 2401, SPAN 2421, SPAN 2302, SPAN 2310, SPAN 2323
3000-level Courses SPAN 3310, SPAN 3311, SPAN 3312, SPAN 3313, SPAN 3355, SPAN 3357, SPAN 3358, SPAN 3359, SPAN 3373, SPAN 3374, SPAN 3375, SPAN 3377
4000-level Courses SPAN 4301, SPAN 4302, SPAN 4303, SPAN 4304, SPAN 4305, SPAN 4310, SPAN 4311, SPAN 4329, SPAN 4331, SPAN 4332, SPAN 4385
4000-level Advanced Courses in Linguistics SPAN 4340, SPAN 4341, SPAN 4342,SPAN 4343
4000-level Advanced Courses in Peninsular Literature SPAN 4356, SPAN 4357, SPAN 4359, SPAN 4360, SPAN 4361, SPAN 4363, SPAN 4364, SPAN 4365, SPAN 4367, SPAN 4368, SPAN 4369
4000-level Advanced Courses in Spanish-American Literature SPAN 4373, SPAN 4374, SPAN 4377, SPAN 4378, SPAN 4379, SPAN 4380, SPAN 4382, SPAN 4383


Track for Native Speakers. Native speakers will start coursework at the 4000 level. In consultation with the Spanish area chair, they should begin with SPAN 4301 or SPAN 4302, with one exception: native speakers who have not had formal academic training in written Spanish may begin coursework with SPAN 3359.

Track for Heritage Speakers:Depending on initial placement exam results, heritage speakers should take SPAN 2421, SPAN 2323 and SPAN 3359 instead of SPAN 2401, SPAN 2302 and SPAN 3358. From the second category of additional SPAN 3000-level courses, they may select from SPAN 3373, SPAN 3374, or SPAN 3375 only.

Track for Non-Native Speakers:Depending on initial placement exam results, non-native speakers should take SPAN 2401 and SPAN 2302 before taking any SPAN 3000-level course. After taking SPAN 2302, non-native speakers may take SPAN 3310, SPAN 3311, SPAN 3312, SPAN 3313, SPAN 3355, SPAN 3357 or SPAN 3358. For students in the non-native track, SPAN 3358 is a pre-requisite for SPAN 3373, SPAN 3374, SPAN 3375 and for any SPAN 4000-level course.

SMU Degree Requirements

An SMU undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours and must include completion of the University’s Common Curriculum, one major and a combination of electives and/or other majors or minors. Completion of certain majors requires more than 120 hours to finish the degree. The credit hours within this curriculum are distributed as follows:

Requirements for the Major

The requirements below reflect the non-native and heritage tracks.

Core Language Courses (6 Credit Hours)

One course from the following: (3 Credit Hours)

Advanced Literature and Linguistics Courses (6 Credit Hours)

Elective Courses (15 Credit Hours)

Five courses from the following, with at least three SPAN courses at the 4000 level:

Note: Once enrolled in an Advanced Linguistics/Literature Course (SPAN 4303 - SPAN 4383), students are no longer eligible to enroll in SPAN 3000-level courses.

Students on the non-native track may take up to one WL course about the Spanish-speaking world taught in English. Students on the heritage and native tracks may take up to two such WL courses. These courses may be taken from the following:

Total for the Major Only: 30 Credit Hours

Sequence of Course Requirements for the B.A. in Spanish (NON-NATIVE SPEAKER) Track 

Explanation of Renumbered Courses