About the Undergraduate Major and Minor

Studying Portuguese provides the knowledge base to study the literary, cultural, and linguistic heritage of the Portuguese-speaking world. Portuguese is one of the most commonly spoken languages with over 200 million speakers. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers a Major in Portuguese (Bachelor of Arts) and a Minor in Portuguese, open to students from any major across campus.
At the introductory level, students build fluency in speaking and writing through a carefully designed sequence of language courses.
At the advanced level, students take courses in the history of the language, linguistics, and the literatures and cultures of Brazil, Portugal, and Lusophone Africa. Majors can choose to focus on language, literature, culture, or a combination of these areas.
We also offer two concentration tracks within the Portuguese Major: Brazilian and Portuguese Studies and Spanish and Portuguese Studies. These tracks allow students to tailor their coursework to their academic and professional interests, whether focusing on the diverse cultures and literatures of Brazil, Portugal, and Lusophone Africa or combining their study of Portuguese with advanced work in Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.
Many students pair their Portuguese major with a second major in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences, enriching their academic and professional pathways.
 

Requirements for the Major in Portuguese 

Preparation for the major: PORT 1–PORT6 (or PORT16A, PORT16B, PORT4, PORT5 and PORT6)

Upper-Division Major: 40 Units

  • PORT 102A (Advanced Grammar and Composition)
  • PORT 145 (Portuguese for STEM Students) or PORT 147 (Business Portuguese)
  • PORT 105 or 105E (Survey of Portuguese Literature)
  • PORT 106 or 106E (Survey of Brazilian literature)
  • 24 Elective Courses, either:
    • A) 24 Portuguese Elective Courses; or
    • B) 6 Elective Portuguese Courses from Concentration I: Brazilian and Portuguese Studies and 6 Elective Spanish Courses from Concentration II: Spanish and Portuguese Studies

 

Requirements for the Minor in Portuguese 

Preparation for the minor: PORT 1–PORT6 (or PORT16A, PORT16B, PORT4, PORT5, PORT6)

Upper-Division Minor: 20 Units

  • PORT 102A (Advanced Grammar and Composition)
  • PORT 145 (Portuguese for STEM Students) or PORT 147 (Business Portuguese)
  • PORT 105 or 105E (Survey of Portuguese Literature)
  • PORT 106 or 106E (Survey of Brazilian literature)
  • 1 Elective Portuguese Course 

 

Advising

Undergraduate Staff Advisor: Elena Báez

Location: Online

Advising Hours: 

  • from Monday to Friday 9am – 11:30am via Zoom 
  • from Monday to Friday1:30pm – 4pm by appointment

Contact Info: ebaez@hfa.ucsb.edu | Shoreline | Zoom Personal Meeting ID: (805) 893-3161

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I declare a major/minor? Come to the Department Office, Phelps Hall 4206B, and fill out either a “Petition to Change Major” or a “Petition to Declare the Minor.” If you’re a minor and your expected quarter of graduation changes or you decide to drop the minor please, let Elena Báez know.

When should I declare a major/minor? As soon as you are sure you want to pursue this field of study, you should declare the major/minor. This way we can advise and guide you as you complete the requirements. The only way for the major/minor to show up on your diploma is if you declare it. If you have any questions about what it means to declare the major/minor, please contact Elena Báez, or by dropping by our office in Phelps Hall 4206B.

How long does it take for my major/minor to appear on GOLD? Majors usually take two or three weeks, minors about one week.

How do I know which classes to take for my major or minor? You can find the requirement sheets for the year you added the major or minor here on UCSB Registrar's website. Every student should meet with the undergraduate advisor for the department in Phelps Hall 4206B at least twice while at UCSB: once when you add the major or minor, and again approximately a year before you plan to graduate. This way you can be sure to take all the required classes for your course of study. Meeting with an advisor in the College of L&S is not enough.

How can I find out what classes will be offered in future quarters? Pick up a tentative list of course offerings for the current academic year in front of the department office at Phelps Hall 4206 or see here.

How do I know what the course is about? Read the General Catalog, either online or in print. Once a quarter's courses are posted on GOLD, you can also find a short course discription there.