Majoring in Hispanic Studies
The Hispanic Studies department offers and administers the Hispanic Studies major and minor. These courses of study look comprehensively at the Hispanic world, including Spain, Latin America, and Latino communities in the US. Spanish is the means of communication that guides your experience in the major (9 courses) or minor (6 courses) because it is the fourth most spoken language in the world of native and non-native speakers. Major in Hispanic Studies and you will frame questions through a global, interdisciplinary lens. Our selection of courses explores a variety of fields for diverse interests and linguistic abilities from beginning, intermediate and advanced second-language learners to heritage and native speakers. You will understand how Hispanic Studies partners impactfully with the sciences, economics, history, international relations, the arts, sociology, anthropology, human development and psychology. An FYS or one course related to Spain, Latin America or Latinos in the US taken in English may be substituted for one of the Hispanic Studies courses when enrolled in the accompanying FLAC section in Spanish. The Hispanic Studies major prepares you for a global environment where educated individuals speak at least two languages and can meet society’s needs (85% of employers who interview bilingual candidates hire those accomplished in Spanish, ACTFL “Making Languages our Business”).
The Hispanic Studies major encourages you to reach your potential with the critical skills needed to acquire proficiency in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All majors are required to take one course in each of the following areas: 1) linguistics or professional development, 2) cultural studies, and 3) literature and literary analysis. Whether it is the language of your grandparents, favorite novelist, singer or high school teacher, there is a place for you in Hispanic Studies and the Spanish-speaking world. Study, volunteer, and complete research projects or internships abroad in Spanish (the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain and the US) through approved programs and CC centers. The department intentionally supports these investigative opportunities and encourages the integration of global, community-based or domestically focused research projects into the senior essay 400-level course. Two comparable courses taken abroad may count toward the major in consultation with department advisors. All courses taken in Spanish, regardless of level, count toward Connecticut College’s World Languages and Cultures requirement and many count toward the Writing, Conncourse and SDP requirements.
International opportunities and study abroad
You can go abroad through the College's own Study Away/Teach Away program (SATA Sevilla, SATA Puebla, SATA Lima, for example) or through study-abroad programs approved by our department and the College. Certain Connecticut College courses integrate short TRIPS (Travel Immersion Programs) supported by Spanish into your coursework for short research trips to Spain, Latin America or the U.S.-Mexico border. On campus, you will practice your conversational Spanish with friends in the dorms, at cafés and the Spanish language table over lunch.
Personalized learning
Hispanic Studies will open doors to a range of opportunities that require critical analysis and problem-solving skills. World languages and cultures are a major part of the Connections program, and you may choose an Integrative Pathway or Center that enhances your major with a series of interconnected classes designed to help you think about a problem or animating question from multiple perspectives. Your academic experience will give you a competitive edge for a career in education, business, government, social work, health care, law, media, travel and many other fields. If you are considering a major in Hispanic Studies, please contact the members of the department who serve as advisors: Profs. Heredia, González, Kuder, Koehler and Kushigian.
All courses taken in Spanish, regardless of level, count toward Connecticut College’s World Languages and Cultures requirement, and many of our courses also count toward the Conncourse, Writing and SDP requirements. See the college catalog for course descriptions and the requirements for the major and minor in Hispanic Studies (HS): College Catalog Hispanic Studies Major.
