Introduction
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers three concentrations in our major and a minor in Spanish through a wide selection of courses about the language and cultural production of Spain, Latin America and Latinx communities of the United States. In addition, independent study and research are available every semester. Unless otherwise indicated, all courses are conducted in Spanish. Study abroad is strongly encouraged. Students planning to major in Spanish should consider studying during their junior year at Dickinson programs in Málaga; Spain or in South America (Cuenca, Ecuador, and Mendoza, Argentina); or in our partner program in Brazil. Generally, students study abroad during their junior year, although exceptional students are encouraged to obtain special permission to study abroad during their sophomore year. Permission may also be granted for seniors to study abroad during the fall semester.
Spanish Studies Minor
Portuguese and Brazilian Studies Minor
Courses appropriate for prospective majors
All students who wish to take Spanish at Dickinson should follow the placement exam link on the Orientation page for instructions on taking the online placement exam. The department, upon having received the test score, will notify the Registrar of the student's course placement and the Registrar will enable the student to enroll in that course. (Students will see this information when they log on to Banner.) Students should take the placement test online before July 1, 2020.
Test scores and credits that may affect course selection.
Advanced Placement scores: course credit and/or placement
A student who has achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test in Spanish will be granted credit for SPAN 201 (previously SPAN 116). Those students who wish to continue the study of Spanish at Dickinson MUST take the ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app placement exam to determine appropriate course placement. To determine whether you need to take the placement exam, please refer to the Spanish Placement Test Flow Chart.
For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the .
Courses that fulfill distribution requirements
Language Requirement:
Completion at the intermediate level, SPAN 201 or above
Humanities (Division I B):
One course in Spanish literature OR Latin American literature OR Latinx literature
U.S. Diversity:
SPAN 239, Spanish for the Health Professions (offered fall only)
SPAN 295, Introduction to U.S. Latinx Literatures and Cultures
SPAN 385, Topics in Latinx/Chicanx Studies
Writing in the Discipline (WID):
SPAN 231, (titles vary but focus is on writing process in Spanish; students may only take and receive credit for this course one time)
Suggested curricular flow through the major
Majors must take a total of 11 courses for the Language and Culture and the Hispanic Studies concentrations, 12 for the Brazilian and Hispanic Studies concentration. If students place higher than SPAN 202, they will still be required to complete 11 or 12 courses depending on the concentration they choose.
A maximum of 5 courses at the 200-level (SPAN 202 and above) will count toward the major with a language and culture concentration, and a maximum of 4 SPAN courses at the 200 level will count for the Hispanic Studies concentration and the Hispanic and Brazilian Studies concentration.
Both the Hispanic Studies and the Brazilian and Hispanic Studies concentration have an additional requirement of SPAN 401, which is offered in the fall semester. This enables eligible students to pursue an honors project in the spring semester of their senior year.
The Brazilian and Hispanic Studies concentration requires 12 courses and proficiency in both Portuguese and Spanish. Students are encouraged to study abroad in Brazil and in a Spanish-speaking country.
Students in all concentrations should note that SPAN 299 is a prerequisite for many 300-level courses.
a. LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CONCENTRATION
| Route #1 | Route #2 | Route #3 |
|---|---|---|
| First Year SPAN 102 SPAN 201 |
First Year SPAN 201 SPAN 202, 229 |
First Year |
| Sophomore Year SPAN 202, 229 SPAN 231 SPAN 200-level courses |
Sophomore Year |
Sophomore Year |
| Junior Year SPAN 200-level or 300-level courses Study abroad (1 semester) PORT electives Electives outside dept. |
Junior Year |
Junior Year Study abroad (1 or 2 semesters) SPAN 200-level or 300-level courses Electives outside dept. |
| Senior Year SPAN 200-level or 300-level courses PORT electives Electives outside dept. |
Senior Year SPAN 200-level or 300-level courses PORT electives Electives outside dept. |
Senior Year |
b. HISPANIC STUDIES CONCENTRATION
| Route #1 | Route #2 | Route #3 |
| First Year SPAN 102 SPAN 201 |
First Year SPAN 201 SPAN 202 / 229 |
First Year SPAN 202 / 229 SPAN 231 SPAN 299 |
|
Sophomore Year |
Sophomore Year |
Sophomore Year |
| Junior Year Study abroad (1 or 2 semesters) SPAN 299 (or equivalent abroad) SPAN 200-level or 300-level (if not studying abroad, 3 preferred) |
Junior Year |
Junior Year |
|
Senior Year |
Senior Year |
Senior Year |
c. BRAZILIAN AND HISPANIC STUDIES CONCENTRATION
| Route #1 | Route #2 | Route #3 |
|
First Year |
First Year |
First Year |
|
Sophomore Year |
Sophomore Year |
Sophomore Year |
|
Junior Year |
Junior Year |
Junior Year |
|
Senior Year |
Senior Year |
Senior Year |
Honors
Spanish majors wishing to graduate with honors in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese should speak with the department chair during the fall semester of the senior year. Honors will be awarded to students who successfully complete a significant scholarly essay (normally thirty to fifty pages in length) and defend the work during an oral examination given by a committee of departmental faculty. This project should be done in close collaboration with a department faculty member and cannot be undertaken before fulfillment of the senior seminar requirement. Essays done for the senior seminar or other advanced course will often be the starting point for the Honors project. Detailed are available on the department's web page.
Independent study and independent research
This is an opportunity to explore individually an area of special interest to the student within the discipline. It is normally arranged through individual contact between the student and the professor involved in the semester preceding the actual project, and approved by the department chair.
Co-curricular activities/programs
The department's co-curricular activities include: (1) a Spanish Club, which is open to majors and non-majors alike, sponsored lectures, field trips and other cultural activities, (2) the Spanish Table, held once a week in a private dining area of the Holland Union Building, where students and professors meet over dinner for conversation and informal discussions in Spanish, and (3) the Casa de Lenguas Romances, which offers a unique opportunity for the students to live in a Spanish-speaking environment, using the Spanish language as the main vehicle for daily communication.
International students from the University of Málaga and from the National University of Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina (where Dickinson students take classes when they study abroad) play a key role in these extra-curricular activities. These Overseas Student Assistants live in the Casa de Lenguas Romances and/or the International House during the school year, are in charge of the Spanish Table, and assist faculty with language courses and special events in the department.
Opportunities for off-campus study
Dickinson offers fall semester or full year programs at the University of Málaga, Spain. This program is intended to enhance and enrich the strong Spanish major the student has initiated on the Carlisle campus. Students wishing to study in Latin America may take advantage of Dickinson's South America program in Cuenca, Ecuador and Mendoza, Argentina. Dickinson also has a Partner Program in Brazil. Information is available from faculty in the Spanish department or the .
NOTE: Spanish majors going abroad should carefully plan their course schedule with the assistance of their faculty advisor.
Additional Remarks
Careers: Knowledge of the Spanish language and culture can be a major asset in professional schools and many positions in business and government. Most recent graduates in Spanish are currently employed in teaching, government agencies, social work, and private business. A number of our alumni are now doing graduate work in Spanish, and some have held teaching positions abroad. A list of careers of former Spanish majors is available in the Center for Advising, Internships, and Lifelong Career Development.
Note: Spanish and Portuguese and Portuguese and Brazilian Studies (PBST) are one department but have been filed individually and alphabetically for ease of access.