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.
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Requirements for Concentration: 10 units of courses numbered Hispanic Studies 205 and above, which must include three of the following: Hispanic Studies 226, 227, 228, 229, and at least three units at the 300-level taken on campus, including one unit each of Hispanic Studies 387 and 388. Two units must be elected in the senior year. After declaration of the concentration or correlate, all courses in the department must be taken for a letter grade.
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 in the department at the level of Hispanic Studies 205 and above. At least one of these units must be a 300-level course taken at Vassar.
Special Program: Vassar College and Wesleyan University sponsor jointly a program of study in Spain. A major in Hispanic Studies is expected to participate in this program or a comparable program in Latin America during either the sophomore or junior year. Students concentrating in other fields are also accepted, within the regulations of their various departments and the dean of studies office. Courses offered in the Spain program 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.
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