Research Experience Program


Photo of a bookshelf containing many Spanish-language books

The Research Experience Program (REP) is based on the premise that, as a major research university, the University of Kansas should provide learning opportunities grounded in a research tradition that is not found in smaller universities or liberal arts colleges. All students should be familiar with the research methods of their respective disciplines and should have opportunities to participate in research experiences with the faculty and through their studies.

To receive the REP designation in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, students must fulfill the components as outlined below. If you have any questions, please contact the Chair of the Department, Margot Versteeg.

Research Competency

Research Competency: coursework in research/creative methods either alone (Option A) or in combination with research/creative experience under the supervision of a faculty member (Option B).

Option A: Three Courses

Student must complete at least three research/creative methods courses (200-level or above) with a grade of C or better. In addition, students must complete a research/creative project. Courses approved by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese for REP designation are:

  • PORT 394 Special Readings in Brazilian Studies
  • SPAN 494 Special Reading in Spanish
  • SPAN 496 Honors in Spanish
  • SPAN 540 Colloquium on Hispanic Studies
  • SPAN 550 Colloquium on Spanish Film
  • SPAN 560 Colloquium on Latin American Film
  • SPAN 570 Studies in Hispanic Linguistics
Option B: Coursework + Research

Coursework: A student must complete at least two research/creative methods courses (200 level or above) with a grade of C or better. Courses must be selected from the approved Spanish and Portuguese REP course list. Research/Creative Experience: A student must participate in a faculty-led research/creative experience for at least one semester.

Example Research Projects

Students must complete a research/creative project that produces one of the following:

  • Authorship or co-authorship of an academic publication
  • Work of art or performance
  • Thesis (e.g., Senior, Honors)
  • Paper or poster presentation at an international, national, regional, or local conference/symposium
  • Patentable object, procedure, etc.
  • Discipline-specific research project (Requires preapproval from relevant department), e.g., web-accessible database, technical report, search engine, etc.

Administration of the REP Designation

Students will be responsible for planning their REP program in consultation with their advisors and documenting completion of the REP components using the REP portfolio form. This form must bear the signatures of the student, the faculty supervisor for the Research/Creative Project, and the department REP contact. The REP contact for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese is Santa Arias.

To encourage timely progress on the REP designation, the Department suggests that the student and advisor establish a schedule of deadlines prior to the beginning of the senior year. Once the required courses are completed, the student should develop a research plan for the Research of the REP. This plan should provide details concerning the research project and deadlines for submission of the research paper. The faculty supervisor will work with the student to monitor the student's progress and to offer suggestions, comments, and feedback as needed.

Students should visit the Research Experience Program website and register to start the REP certificate. 

If you have any questions, contact

Center for Undergraduate Research
Strong Hall, Room 151
1450 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045

Email: cur@ku.edu 
Phone: 785-864-5733