Hispanic Studies

Undergraduate Concentration

The concentration requires a minimum of ten courses: one required course, HISP 0650 Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film; up to six courses at the 700 level; and at least three courses at the 1000 level. HISP 0650 gives students fundamental tools for critical analysis while also specifically targeting the development of advanced grammar and writing skills.

Breadcrumb

Undergraduate Concentration

The concentration requires a minimum of ten courses: one required course, HISP 0650 Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film; up to six courses at the 700 level; and at least three courses at the 1000 level. HISP 0650 gives students fundamental tools for critical analysis while also specifically targeting the development of advanced grammar and writing skills.

Course Levels

HISP 0650 Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film is a required course (unless waived) that provides fundamental tools for critical analysis while continuing to emphasize grammar and writing development. 

The courses HISP 0550, “Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers” and HISP 0600  “Advanced Spanish II” can also be counted toward the 10 required courses for the concentration.

700-level courses provide fundamental tools for critical analysis and opportunities for developing advanced skills in the Spanish language. The 700 level encompasses panoramic courses in the literary and cultural histories of Spain, Latin America, and the Latinx USA, as well as introductory courses on professional and literary translation and Spanish linguistics, all of which place emphasis on continued refinement of written and oral expression in Spanish.

In courses at the 1000 level, students explore particular authors, genres, periods or special topics and continue to hone their skills in literary and cultural analysis. Courses at the 1000 level focus on particular authors, genres, periods or special topics and introduce students to major critical voices and scholarly perspectives on the materials studied.

Concentrators must take at least one Hispanic Studies course with the WRIT designation.

Courses Taught in Spanish

The Hispanic Studies Literatures and Cultures concentration is designed to encourage and support language-specific study, for we believe that the linguistic cultural products of the Spanish-speaking world are most deeply appreciated in the original language. Hispanic Studies courses are therefore generally taught in Spanish, unless otherwise specified in the course description.

Up to two courses taken in English or another language, whether in the department or outside, can count toward the concentration. Students may apply up to four related courses from outside the department toward the  concentration, with prior approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). These courses may come from study abroad, transfer credit, and other departments and programs at Brown (e.g., Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Comparative Literature, History, Ethnic Studies, Anthropology), as long as they deal with themes related to the literatures, histories, languages, and/or cultures of Spain, Latin America, or the Latinx USA. 

Up to two courses in languages other than Spanish that are spoken in or are closely related to Spain and/or Latin America can count towards the concentration. As with all courses taken outside the department, students must petition the DUS in advance to have these courses counted, demonstrating their direct link to the student’s interests, for instance, for Honors Thesis research.