Academic Program
Spanish Curriculum Overview
The Department of Spanish is located on the third floor of Kohlberg Hall, centrally located on campus and built in 1996, directly behind Parrish Hall—the historic stone structure that once housed the entire college.
The Spanish Department offers a major and minor designed to develop linguistic proficiency, foster critical analysis, and deepen understanding of the rich literatures and cultures of Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean, and U.S. Latino/a communities.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to guide students toward fluency in Spanish through a comprehensive linguistic and pedagogical progression. It begins with foundational language courses and builds toward advanced studies, culminating in advanced courses and Honors seminars that explore multifaceted topics and texts. The curriculum is organized into four tiers:
- Language courses: Our language courses give students ample opportunity for practice, encouraging the development of communicative proficiency and cultural competency.
- SPAN 001 Elementary Spanish (every fall)
- SPAN 002 Elementary Spanish (every spring)
- SPAN 002B Spanish for Advanced Beginners (every fall)
- SPAN 003 Intermediate Spanish (every semester)
- SPAN 004 Advanced Spanish (every semester)
- SPAN 014 Spanish Composition and Conversation [Writing Course] (every semester)
- Introductory courses: Our writing courses enable students to move toward writing proficiency in Spanish and provide a panoramic view of the literary and cultural histories of the Hispanic world.
Courses Taught in English: Additionally, courses taught in English provide a broader range of students the opportunity to explore this rich literary and cultural heritage:
- SPAN 015 - LITR 015S: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture [Writing Course; Taught in English] (Cross-listed as SPAN 015) (every fall)
- SPAN 025 – LITR 025S: Reading Borges: Labyrinths and Forking Paths (every spring)
- Additional courses taught in English.
Advanced Courses and Seminars: These courses delve into specific trends and topics related to the literatures and cultures of Spain, Mexico and Central America, South America, the Hispanic Caribbean, and U.S. Latino/a communities.
One of the Department of Spanish’s key strengths lies in its wide scope, encompassing both geographical and chronological breadth. Our offerings span literatures from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, as well as Early Modern Spain and Colonial Latin America.
