Department of Hispanic Studies — The Department

The Hispanic Studies Department offers multidisciplinary courses in Spanish and Portuguese, in the languages, histories, literatures and cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. The department provides opportunities for students to major or minor in Spanish (or for non-majors to acquire proficiency in the language), to receive a certificate in Spanish-English translation, to meet the content area requirements to be certified to teach Spanish in Massachusetts, to study the Portuguese language, or to carry out a program in Latin American Studies.

The major consists of a strong and varied program in the languages, histories and cultures of Spain and Latin America. Majors may begin this study with survey courses in Spanish and Spanish-American literature and civilization and proceed to a more detailed exploration of selected areas. The department’s Portuguese language courses range from beginning to advanced levels; its courses in Luso-Brazilian culture and civilization include offerings conducted in Portuguese and in English. The interdisciplinary and broadly-based Latin American Studies Program provides a broad selection of courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. For a detailed description, see the Latin American Studies Program section of this publication.