Hispanic Studies

Course Placement

Breadcrumb

Course Placement

We recognize that proficiency is multifaceted, encompassing different types of knowledge and skills depending on students’ individual backgrounds and experiences. You will find a place in our Spanish program whether you have little or no familiarity with the language, took several years of it in high school, spoke Spanish at home but haven’t studied it formally, or otherwise have had extensive experience with Spanish outside of an academic setting. 

All Hispanic Studies courses encompass authentic Spanish-language texts, music and films, though our primary literature and culture curriculum begins with HISP0650, “Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film,” and continues into the 700- and 1000-levels.

Placement Guidelines

  • If you have no experience with Spanish or knowledge of another Romance language, you should sign up for HISP 0100, Basic Spanish I.
  • If you have experience with Spanish (more than one year in middle or high school or significant personal experience through your family or community), please complete the placement exam online. Note that you must take this exam without outside help, in whatever form, as this may skew your results, and you might end up in the wrong course. 

We realize that placement tests do not capture all aspects of proficiency and may not be fully accurate, but they provide an important baseline. 

  • If you’re not sure what category you fit in or have any questions or concerns regarding your placement, please contact our language faculty:

 

Placement Chart

Course Placement    Experience Level

HISP0100

Basic Spanish I

You have never taken Spanish (you do not need a placement test).

Brown placement score: Below 240

Note that this course earns credit independently from completion of HISP0200. 

HISP0200

Basic Spanish II

You have completed HISP0100

Brown placement score: 241 - 340

Note that this course earns credit independently from completion of HISP0100. 

HISP0300

Intermediate Spanish I

You have completed HISP0200 or HISP110

Brown placement score: 341 - 410

HISP0400

Intermediate Spanish II

You have completed HISP0300

Brown placement score: 411 - 490

HISP0490 

Spanish for Healthcare Professions

You have completed HISP0400

Brown placement score: 491 - 570

HISP0550

Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers

Note that there is flexibility in placement in this course intended for speakers of Spanish who can understand and speak Spanish to some degree, but may not have had previous formal education in the language. If interested, please contact Prof. Eva Gómez García (eva_gomez_garcia@brown.edu) for further guidance.

HISP0500

Advanced Spanish I

You have completed HISP0400 OR HISP0490

Brown placement score: 491 - 570

HISP0600

Advanced Spanish II

You have completed HISP0500

Brown placement score: 571 - 650

HISP0650

Advanced Spanish Through Literature and Film

You have completed HISP0600*

Brown placement score: 651 and above*
   *students with a placement score of 651 or above, or who have completed HISP 0600, can also enroll in courses at the 700 level, but are encouraged to take HISP 0650 first if they may be interested in the concentration, which requires HISP 0650.