Letters of Specialization

Take five classes from this list: 

Span 306 – Spanish Pronunciation 

Span 311 – Advanced Grammar 

Span 382 – Spanish in the US 

Span 470 – General View of Hispanic Linguistic 

Span 471 – Linguistic Varieties and Pluralism 

Span 472 – Phonological Evolution from Latin to Spanish \ 

Span 474 – Caribbean Spanish 

Two required courses:

1. Span 312 - Oral and Written communication (required) 
2. Span 415 or 417 Culture and Civilization of Spain/ Spanish America (at least one of them)

Three more courses from this list:

1. Any course numbered between Span 320 to 324 
2. Span 357 – Spanish for the Professions 
3. Span 372 – Intercultural understanding 
4. Span 384 – Iberian Cinemas 
5. Span 386 – Latin American Cinemas 
6. Span 424 – Latinx Popular Culture 
7. Span 431 – Contemporary Theater in Spain and Catalonia 
8. Span 433 – Bad Lovers 
9. Span 436 – Fighting Fascism: Spanish Civil War 
10. Span 440 – Journey of the Hispanic Caribbean: Literature, Art, and Culture 
11. Span 465 – Spanish Business 
12. Span 490S – Iberian Soundscapes: Music, Lyrics, and Society 
13. Cat 315 – Catalan Culture 

Take five classes from this list: 

1. Span 324 - Introduction to Latino/a Literature (required)
2. Span 314 – Spanish for Heritage Speakers 
3. Span 382 – Spanish in the US 
4. Span 322 – Introduction to Spanish-American Literature 
5. Span 323 – Spanish American Literature II 
6. Span 350 - Translation Today: Spanish-English 
7. Span 351 – Hispanic New York 
8. Span 386 – Latin American Cinemas 
9. Span 424 – Latinx Popular Culture 

1. Span 350 -Translation Today: Spanish-English (required)
2. One course chosen among Span 320, Span 321, Span 322, Span 323 or 324 

Three courses from this list:

1. Span 351 – Hispanic New York 
2. Span 356 - Spanish for Medical Professions 
3. Span 357 – Spanish for the Service Professions 
4. Span 382 – Spanish in the US 
5. Span 455 – Community, Storytelling, Translation 
6. Span 456 – Spanish Translation for Community Health Services 
7. Span 465 – Business Spanish 
8. Span 514 – Practicing Literary Translation: Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan 
9. Catalan 246 – Intensive Intermediate Catalan 
10. Portuguese 246 – Intensive Intermediate Portuguese 
11. Portuguese 457 – Brazil in Translation 

We recommend you choose one based on your interests and career goals. It's a good idea to check with your advisor or ask professors who teach the classes you are currently taking. 

You need to be a Spanish major to have a letter of specialization. You can make an appointment with an advisor to identify classes that count for your major and discuss study abroad options.  

It's easy! Make an appointment with a Spanish advisor. 

They are very similar. Both confer an official paper certificate, which is signed by the Director of Spanish and Portuguese Studies and the HFA Dean. Both require you to complete a set of courses that meet certain requirements. The main difference is that a certificate or concentration will show up on your transcript, whereas a letter of specialization does not.