2015-2016

Spanish, Bachelor of Arts

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

This undergraduate program produces students who are well versed in Spanish language, composition, and stylistics, with an exposure to Spanish-speaking cultures and literature. Spanish, one of the world’s great “lingua francas” (working languages) is also known for its richness of expression in vocabulary and nuance. The requirement of a minor enriches this plan.

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 36 units of major requirements
  • At least 18 units of minor requirements

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 2.0
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available
Student Learning Outcomes

  • Orally express ideas in Spanish through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)
  • Think critically and analytically in response to socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues and/or classic and contemporary literary texts related to the Spanish-speaking world. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
  • Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the Hispanic populations of Spain, Latin America, and the United States including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
  • Recognize, investigate, and produce Spanish written and oral discourse communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in Spanish-speaking countries and the United States.
  • Explore how historical, political, religious and economic forces have shaped the current world system with its power inequalities and efforts to address them with a focus on the Spanish-speaking world. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
  • Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
  • Explore and analyze the role of human interactions with the environment and its relation to the root causes of many global problems focusing on those occurring in the Spanish-speaking world. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)
  • Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.

Major Requirements

  • * You may not count SPA 100 or 200-level courses toward your major requirements; however, you may count up to 9 upper-division units, by examination. 

    You may only take lower-level SPA courses if you have not already taken advanced SPA coursework. For example, after you have completed 200-level SPA courses, you may not take SPA courses at the 100 level; after completing a 300-level course, you may not take 100- or 200-level courses.

Minor Requirements

  • You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.