Program Overview
The Spanish minor offers students a dynamic and interdisciplinary experience in the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Through a range of courses, students develop competence in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Spanish. A focus on examining various Spanish-speaking cultures is also integral to the Minor.
Beyond the classroom, students can enhance their learning through local community-based experiences that connect them with the Hispanic/Latino community of the Des Moines metro area They can also attend Spanish conversation hours (open to all levels) and participate in student organizations like La Fuerza Latina.
Extensive study abroad opportunities are available, including a semester-long program at the University of Seville in Spain, where some classes are taught by Drake faculty. This program and others offer immersive cultural and linguistic experiences.
The Minor in Spanish enhances and complements a variety of majors, including business, communication, health science and pharmacy, psychology, sociology, international relations, and other world languages. It prepares students to
Course List Code | Title | Hours |
| 15 |
| 3 |
| INTRO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY | |
| ANTHROPOLOGY OF BORDERS AND BOUNDARIES | |
| DEVELOPING ECONOMIES | |
| URBAN EDUCATION IMMIGRATION | |
| GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: CULTURE OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA | |
| READING RACE AND ETHNICITY | |
| LATINO/A LITERATURE | |
| MODERN MEXICO | |
| AZTECS INCAS MAYAS | |
| COLONIAL LATIN AMERICA | |
| MODERN LATIN AMERICA | |
| SEX, POWER, AND WAR: THE AZTEC EMPIRE | |
| US-MEXICO BORDERLANDS | |
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN LAW, POLITICS, AND SOCIETY (GLOBAL SOUTH AND LPS) | |
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN LAW, POLITICS, AND SOCIETY (DETENTION AND DEPORTATION SYSTEMS) | |
| COMPARATIVE POLITICS | |
| TRAVEL STUDY SEMINAR 1 | |
| |
| LATINO/A LITERATURE | |
| INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION | |
| TOPICS | |
Total Hours | 18 |
Students may earn up to six credits and apply them as electives to the minor requirements through AP, CLEP, or IB taken while in high school. More specifically, students earn:
- 3 credits for an AP placement of 4 on the language exam
- 6 credits for an AP placement of 5 on the language exam
- 6 credits for an AP placement of 4 or 5 on the literature exam
- 3 credits for a CLEP placement over 50 for the Level One exam
- 6 credits for a CLEP placement over 50 on the Level Two exam
- 6 credits for having completed an IB program and successfully passed the exam
- 3 credits for having completed the Seal of Biliteracy
Note: A minimum of 12 hours in Spanish coursework must be completed at Drake.