Academics
Study Spanish with peers on campus and around the world
When you choose to study Spanish language and culture at DU, you're embarking on a global journey that will help you broaden your understanding of the Spanish-speaking world. Majors who meet the academic qualifications can also apply for distinction by writing an honors thesis in Spanish. Alternatively, you can add a Spanish major or minor to another degree program to diversify your academic portfolio and make yourself a more attractive job candidate post-graduation. For students joining us with a family background of Spanish language skills, our Spanish for Heritage Speakers program offers robust study to complement and enhance your proficiency.
As part of a private university dedicated to the public good, we ensure that students are active in the Spanish-speaking community both in Colorado and beyond through internships at local organizations and service-learning opportunities.
Spanish Major and Minor
DU offers both major and minor courses of study within the Bachelor of Arts program in Spanish. Through the Spanish major, you'll develop advanced language skills in both oral and written Spanish, including the distinct traits of the language as spoken in Europe, Latin America and the United States. Students can expect to complete the program with high confidence in their speaking abilities and a robust understanding of the cultural and historical context of the language as well as a well-rounded experience of literature written in Spanish.
The Spanish minor offers the chance to add Spanish language skills to your professional toolkit while you focus on another area of study for your major. The Spanish minor couples language learning with cultural and literary study. Whether you're majoring in the natural sciences, international studies or arts and culture, a second language can broaden your appeal to employers and help you navigate an increasingly globalized world.
Explore Spanish at DUHonors and Distinction Program
Students wishing to dive deeper into their Spanish studies are encouraged to enter our honors and distinction program. Those wishing to graduate with honors and departmental distinction work closely with a faculty member to produce a senior thesis of original research, written entirely in Spanish.
Explore Spanish Honors and Distinction ProgramSpanish for Heritage or Bilingual Students
To address the educational needs of our increasingly diverse student population, we've developed a program aimed at students entering college with a foundation in the Spanish language. The program includes two courses that help heritage or bilingual speakers develop their skills for use in academic and professional settings, also helping to build an understanding of the unique cultural forces that Spanish speakers experience in the modern world.
Learn MoreSpanish Language Media Production
This micro-credential program allows students to explore a range of courses that will prepare them to produce media in Spanish, including an internship in the community. Earning the microcredential requires taking three courses.
Learn MoreAdditional Academic and Program Resources
Check our knowledge base for more detailed information, guides and resources. Can’t find what you’re looking for? You can also use the knowledge base to contact our staff.
Knowledge Base
Our faculty and students extend their work beyond the classroom and engage with the community.
Featured Courses
SPAN 2350
Latin American Culture and Societies
About this Course
An introductory and interdisciplinary course on the political, historical and cultural dynamics that have shaped Latin America, the Caribbean and U.S. Latinos. An examination of the political and intellectual movements and economic forces embedded in relations of power from pre-Colombian civilizations, colonialism, independence, nation building and imperialism to the struggle for democracy. Analysis of diverse cultural practices such as literature, music, film and visual art within a national and transnational context. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
SPAN 3500
Interrogating 'convivencia': Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Iberia
About this Course
This course proposes to critically interrogate the complex relationship between the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula, and the lasting impact of the historical relationship between these communities on the culture, literature, art, politics and economy of Spain, with particular emphasis on the period 711–1700. Special attention is paid to problematizing the notion of ‘convivencia’ and to considering how diverse representations of the ‘three cultures’ are appropriated in the construction of national(ist) ideals that are overtly reflected in literature and art, both in Medieval and Early Modern Iberia and in contemporary Spain.
SPAN 3600
Caribbean Blackness: Conflictive Identity
About this Course
Introduces the student to the Caribbean region, particularly examining cultural characteristics of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, with an emphasis on race relations and the contributions of peoples of African descent. The focus is interdisciplinary and includes readings on anthropology, religion and history among other subjects, together with close readings of literary texts.
