Department of Spanish & Portuguese

I. Spanish and Portuguese Studies Major

The Spanish and Portuguese Studies major consist of fourteen semester courses above the level of Intensive Intermediate Spanish and Portuguese for Spanish Speakers. At least eight of the fourteen courses must be upper division courses, numbered above 230, at least one numbered above 400 in Hispanic literature and Hispanic culture, Luso-Brazilian literature and culture and/or Spanish/Portuguese Linguistics. Some of the required courses will satisfy the requirement for the Certificate in Latin American Studies.

II. Required Courses

The new requirements will apply to students entering in Fall 2008 and beyond.

12 General Education Courses

Portuguese for Spanish Speakers I (students with background in Portuguese must take the placement exam given at the beginning of the academic year)

14 Spanish/Portuguese courses consisting of:

2 semesters Advanced Spanish (College Advanced Spanish).
2 semesters Advanced Portuguese
1 semester Portuguese Expository Writing
3 Survey literature courses (from among the following: Literature of Spanish America, Spanish Literature, and one of which must be in Luso-Brazilian literature)
2 Linguistics courses, one in Spanish and Portuguese languages. One semester Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics (satisfies one semester of the two-semester college General Education Requirement in Social Science). One semester Spanish Phonetics or Spanish Structure (satisfies one semester of the two-semester college General Education Requirement in Social Science).
2 Courses 300-level or above taught in Portuguese (may be cross-listed).
1 Courses 300-level or above taught in Spanish (may be cross-listed)
1 400-level course in Spanish or Portuguese

III. Transfer/AP Credit

A maximum of four courses taken at other institutions can be transferred toward the major. Transfer students must have the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in order to get credit for courses taken at another institution.

Students can receive AP credit for up to two courses (the students who have received AP credit equivalent of Intensive Advanced I and II) can therefore receive credit for a maximum of two courses taken abroad.

IV. Overseas Studies

Spanish and Portuguese Studies majors are required to study in Spain, Portugal or Latin America for a semester or, ideally, for an academic year. With the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Spanish and Portuguese Studies majors may substitute summer study in Georgetown University’s programs in Quito (Ecuador), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Lisbon (Portugal) or Barcelona (Spain), for a semester abroad. Students participating in overseas study may take courses in Luso-Brazilian or Hispanic Art, Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, and other appropriate related areas. These courses can be used to fulfill upper division Spanish and Portuguese Studies requirements. A maximum of four courses, with a total of two per semester, taken overseas may be counted toward the major and two, with a total of one per semester, for the minor. Students should consult their advisers to develop a well-balanced program.

V. Latin American Studies Certificate and Certificate in European Studies

For the undergraduate certificate in Latin American Studies, students must satisfy a language requirement and complete four core courses, one elective, and a senior honors thesis.

Certificate students must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese through completion of language coursework at the Advanced II level, successful completion of one 300 or 400 level course taught in either Spanish or Portuguese, or achievement of pass on Georgetown’s language proficiency exam (administered by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.)

VI. Accelerated Bachelor/Master Degree Program

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers qualified undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelors and a Masters degree at an accelerated pace by counting two graduate-level courses taken in the undergraduate program toward the masters degree. Students with a minimum of a 3.5 in the major are eligible to apply for the program at the end of their junior year. Interested applicants should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies. Applications are available in the Spanish and Portuguese Department.