Hispanic Studies (BA in Spanish)
The Hispanic Studies Program
Our approach to Hispanic Studies transcends the traditional courses of Spanish studies that are limited to only literature and language. Our faculty believe that it is through the study of diverse forms of cultural production (film, art, popular culture, journalism) that students become fluent and learn about significant political and historical events, complex socio-cultural issues, and community engagement.
Our program also offers a number of opportunities for students to conduct faculty-mentored field research. Some students choose to do so through study abroad through our faculty-led summer program in Cadiz, Spain. For this program, students develop projects supervised by W&M faculty and take courses at a local university. Additional programming includes walking along Spain’s famed Camino de Santiago as part of Pilgrimage Studies and summer study abroad at a sustainable organic farm near Quito, Ecuador. We also offer two semester-long William & Mary programs, one in Seville, Spain, and another in La Plata, Argentina, that include internships and service-learning opportunities along with courses in literature, art, contemporary culture, and language. These are signature programs developed by William and Mary faculty for our students in collaboration with our international partners.
Major in Hispanic Studies
Students may declare a major at W&M after completion of 39 credit hours. To declare a Hispanic Studies concentration (major), you should download a Declaration of Major Form and request a meeting with the Hispanic Studies professor you would like to serve as your advisor. Prior to your advising meeting, complete the first page of the major form. Your professor will assist you in completing the rest of the form and sign off on your academic plan of study. You will then turn in the completed copy to the Office of the Registrar, Blow Hall.
Many Hispanic Studies concentrators declare two majors, often combining their Spanish language skills and their research background in Hispanic literary and cultural studies with a second major in another area. Combining Hispanic Studies with majors in the sciences, social sciences, business, education, or international relations can prove to be particularly useful for our students - well-trained in linguistic proficiency and cultural competency - who are interested in careers related to global markets, public service in either government-sponsored or NGO programs, the fine arts, teaching and research, law, and medical and health-related fields.
Hispanic Studies is an issues-based, interdisciplinary curriculum that seeks to make students proficient in the Spanish language and in the analysis of Hispanic cultures. All courses are taught in Spanish unless stated otherwise.Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HISP 101 & HISP 102 | Elementary Spanish I and Elementary Spanish II (HISP 103) | 4 |
| HISP 201 & HISP 202 | Intermediate Spanish I and Intermediate Spanish II (or HISP 203) | 3 |
| HISP 240 | Introduction to Hispanic Studies (formerly HISP 281) | 3 |
| Select 24 credits of Hispanic Studies courses above the 207 level 1 | 24 | |
| Select six credits of Hispanic Studies 400-level research courses, taken on campus 2 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 40 | |
- 1
May include HISP 208 La imaginación cultural: arte y literatura en el mundo hispanohablante, if taken at W&M, and before the end of the sophomore year; may include HISP 150 First-Year Seminar in Hispanic Studies if course taught in Spanish; may include up to three credits of HISP 389 Topics in Hispanic Studies in English, may include HISP 495 Honors, HISP 496 Honors, or HISP 498 Internship.
- 2
(excluding HISP 412 Teaching Practicum, HISP 492 Independent Study, HISP 495 Honors, HISP 496 Honors, and HISP 498 Internship); fulfills the Major Writing and Computing Requirement.
In accordance with W&M guidelines for graduation, a minimum of 15 credits of the major in Hispanic Studies must be taken in residence at W&M