For a man to attain to an eminent degree in learning costs him time, watching, hunger, nakedness, dizziness in the head, weakness in the stomach, and other inconveniences.
Don Quijote de la Mancha
—Miguel de Cervantes
The curriculum in Hispanic Studies offers instruction in 1) the skills required to comprehend and communicate in Spanish and 2) the cultures and literatures of the Spanish-speaking world. Except for the occasional bilingual seminar on Latino/a Studies, our courses are taught in Spanish.
Every year the department hires a recent university graduate from Spain or Latin America to serve as the Spanish Language Fellow. The Language Fellow directs the conversation sessions of our intermediate-level language classes, hosts the weekly Spanish table in the student dining hall, offers individual tutoring and assists with the department’s cultural activities, such as film festivals and social gatherings. Tutoring is also provided by the Academic Intern, a senior major selected by the department.
Virtually all Hispanic Studies majors and correlates spend at least one semester of study in a Spanish-speaking country. Many majors elect to combine their interest in Spanish language and culture with a second major in another academic department or multidisciplinary program; recent double majors include Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Economics, English, History, Psychology and other foreign languages. Our graduates have earned advanced degrees in Spanish, comparative literature, international studies, social work, education, law and medicine or have pursued careers in business, social agencies, the arts, publishing, and teaching.
Requirements for Concentration: 10 units beyond the introductory level. These 10 units must include 3 units from the group Hispanic Studies 226, 227, 228, 229 and 3 units at the 300 level, including one Latin American Seminar (387) and one Peninsular Seminar (388). Two units must be elected in the senior year. After declaration of the major or correlate, all courses in the department must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken in Spain or Latin America or during the summer may be substituted with department approval.
Senior-Year Requirements: Two units at the 300-level. Students who wish to be considered for departmental honors must complete a senior thesis (Hispanic Studies 300).
Teaching Certification: Students who wish to obtain Secondary Certification in Spanish must complete, in conjunction with the program of study outlined by the education department, 8 units of 200-level courses and above in Hispanic Studies.
Correlate Sequence: 6 units beyond the introductory level, 3 of which must be taken at Vassar, including at least one 300-level course.
Study Away: Majors are expected to study, usually during the junior year, in a Spanish-speaking country. The department sponsors two study away programs: the Vassar-Wesleyan Program in Madrid (academic year) and the Vassar Summer Programs in Mexico or Peru, open to all qualified students. The courses offered in each of these programs are included below.
Advisers: The department.
Students who major or pursue the correlate sequence in Hispanic Studies are strongly encouraged to study in a Spanish-speaking country during their Vassar career.
The Vassar Study Away office maintains a list of approved programs in Central America and Latin America.
^Top