Minor in Spanish Arts and Culture

Spain offers a unique link between the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Americas. Spanish culture and society have developed through a constant conversation between these areas. The results of these dialogues range from flamenco to Latin pop, from Picasso to Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, from Luis Buñuel to Isabel Coixet, and from the Mediterranean diet to María Marte or Ferran Adrià. Through the Spanish arts and culture minor, students enter into this conversation by exploring the music, arts, culture, and language of Spain and positioning this knowledge in its societal and global context. The Spanish arts and culture minor prepares students to become active and knowledgeable members of an intersecting and interdisciplinary music industry with a global impact. Students choose one of three tracks in this minor: arts and culture, liberal arts, or musicianship, and must spend at least one semester abroad at Berklee's campus in Valencia, Spain.

Entrance Requirements

Students must take LENG-111: Introduction to College Writing, HR-112: Harmony 2, ET-112: Ear Training 2, and AR-111: Arranging 1 before declaring this minor. Students must follow the regular declaration of minor procedure as outlined in the Registration Guide. This minor is managed by the Liberal Arts Department.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a minor in Spanish studies, students will:

  • explain the sociocultural context of Spain;
  • analyze the influence of Spain and Spanish culture on other regions and cultures;
  • apply and utilize Spanish traditional artistic languages;
  • evaluate critical perspectives on Spanish culture, society, and artistic expressions;
  • develop a global perspective on the performance and evolution of musical skills through the Spanish context; and
  • use Spanish to communicate at a basic level.
Curriculum and Courses

Required Courses for All Tracks (two courses; 6 credits)

*Students who are native Spanish speakers or who have a level of Spanish that exceeds available Spanish offerings must select three additional credits from any category.

Arts and Culture Track

Choose at least 5 credits from the following list:

  • CW-227: Flamenco Music Composing and Arranging (2 credits; offered in Boston or Valencia)
  • ENGB-404: Middle Eastern/Flamenco Ensemble (1 credit; offered in Boston or Valencia)
  • PSW-425: Flamenco Rhythm Styles (1 credit; offered in Valencia)
  • ENGB-220: Contemporary South American Folkloric Music (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • ENLT-200: Introduction to Latin Jazz (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • ENLT-300: Latin Pop Ensemble (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • ENMX-221: Latin Jazz with Vocals (1 credit; offered in Boston and Valencia)
  • ILPD-273: Cajón Playing Styles (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • LHIS-223: History Topics: History of Spanish Film (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LVIS-223: Art History Topics: Visual Art, Patrimony, and Culture of Valencia (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LVIS-223: Art History Topics: Ephemeral Structures: Festivals, Fairs, and Fire (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LENG-223: Literature: Crossing the Atlantic (3 credits; offered in Valencia)

Liberal Arts Track

Choose a minimum of 5 credits from the following:

  • LHIS-223: History Topics: History of Spanish Film (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LVIS-223: Art History Topics: Art, Patrimony, and Culture of Valencia (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LVIS-223: Art History Topics: Ephemeral Structures: Festivals, Fairs, and Fire (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LENG-223: Literature: Crossing the Atlantic (3 credits; offered in Valencia)
  • LSPN-XXX: Spanish (any additional language course beyond what is taken for minor core—3 credits; offered in Boston or Valencia)

Musicianship Track

Choose a minimum of 5 credits from the following:

  • CW-227: Flamenco Music Composing and Arranging (2 credits; offered in Boston or Valencia)
  • ENGB-404: Middle Eastern/Flamenco Ensemble (1 credit; offered in Boston or Valencia)
  • PSW-425: Flamenco Rhythm Styles (1 credit; offered in Valencia) 
  • ENGB-220: Contemporary South American Folkloric Music (1 credit; offered in Boston or Valencia)
  • ENLT-200: Introduction to Latin Jazz (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • ENLT-300: Latin Pop Ensemble (1 credit; offered in Boston)
  • ENMX-221: Latin Jazz with Vocals (1 credit; offered in Valencia) 
  • ILPD-273: Cajón Playing Styles (1 credit; offered in Boston)