Spanish & Linguistics

Learning Goals

The joint major in Spanish & Linguistics provides an opportunity for students to combine the study of Spanish language, literature, and culture with the study of linguistics. Students graduating with a major in Spanish & Linguistics will be able to demonstrate:

  • an understanding of the fundamental questions that drive modern linguistic research concerning formal structure, universals, acquisition, historical change, variation, and social dimensions of use, along with foundational knowledge in the core areas of linguistic theory
  • the ability to identify and describe with precision the empirical patterns found in sets of language data, and to construct well-reasoned linguistic analyses by formulating, testing, and refining hypotheses about these patterns
  • linguistic mastery of some aspect of modern-day Spanish (e.g., phonetics, phonology, variation) or of the historical development of the language
  • proficiency in the Spanish language at an advanced level, with respect to reading, writing, speaking, and understanding of spoken Spanish
  • critical and analytical engagement with Hispanic cultural and literary traditions, practices, genres, and great works.
Major Requirements

The major consists of 13 courses, including 6 in Spanish, 6 in linguistics, and 1 in Spanish linguistics. In addition to the requirements for the major, students must also satisfy general requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). An advisor can assist you in designing your program of study.

Note: for Spanish linguistics courses cross-listed with CAS LS and CAS LX numbers, the LS and LX courses will satisfy exactly the same requirements, regardless of whether the student has registered for the LS or LX course.

6 Spanish Courses
  • 1 advanced Spanish language course (300+ level)
  • CAS LS 350 Introduction to Analysis of Hispanic Texts
  • 2 CAS LS 400-level literature courses (including 1 Peninsular and 1 Latin American literature course)
  • 1 CAS LS 500-level literature course
  • 1 additional CAS LS elective (300+ level) in Spanish language, literature, or linguistics (e.g., CAS LX 381 / LS 420, LS 504, LX 386 / LS 505, LX 383 / LS 507, LX 384 / LS 508)
6 Linguistics Courses
  • CAS LX 250 Introduction to Linguistics
  • CAS LX 301 Phonetics & Phonology: Introduction to Sound Systems
  • CAS LX 321 Syntax: Introduction to Sentential Structure
  • CAS LX 331 Semantics & Pragmatics: Introduction to Linguistic Meaning
  • 1 advanced linguistics elective (300+ level)
  • 1 advanced general linguistics or Spanish linguistics elective (300+ level)
1 Spanish Linguistics Course, e.g.
  • CAS LX 381 / LS 420 Spanish in the United States
  • CAS LS 504 History of the Spanish Language
  • CAS LX 386 / LS 505 Topics in Spanish Linguistics
  • CAS LX 383 / LS 507 Sounds of Spanish
  • CAS LX 384 / LS 508 Structure of Spanish
Study Abroad

Students may also take courses to fulfill some of these requirements (with advance approval of their advisor) in the BU Study Abroad and Internship programs. For further information, see BU Study Abroad’s website:

BU Study Abroad
Honors Program

In addition to the standard joint major, we also have an Honors Program in Spanish & Linguistics. For further information, see the Honors Program page:

Honors Programs in Linguistics
Contact

Director of Undergraduate Studies

lingdus@bu.edu