Undergraduate Program
2012-2013 Undergraduate Concentration Advisor: Professor Beth Bauer
Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world and the second language of the United States. In our society, knowing Spanish is not just an asset; it is increasingly a necessity. The Hispanic Studies concentration enables students to develop advanced Spanish skills while acquiring a solid background in the complex history, literature, cultures, and intellectual traditions of Spain, Latin America, and the Latino-U.S. The department offers a variety of courses on topics related to literary history and theory; multicultural contact; linguistics and the history of the language; visual culture, film, and performance studies. Interdisciplinarity is a hallmark of the department, but students in this concentration are also encouraged to broaden their perspectives by taking relevant courses in other departments. Most choose to strengthen their academic preparation by participating in a study abroad program in Spain or Latin America and by engaging with Hispanic communities in the United States.
The Department of Hispanic Studies offers a standard concentration program in Hispanic Studies with a track in Hispanic Language, Literature and Culture. This program provides students with a comprehensive view of Hispanic (Spain and Latin America) language, literature and culture. Both introductory and upper-level courses offer opportunities to explore a particular author, genre, period, or special topic, and to learn and use diverse analytical approaches. The overall requirement is a minimum of ten courses.
Prerequisite |
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Advanced Spanish II (or placement) |
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Required courses |
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Early and Contemporary Writers of Spanish America 1 |
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Intensive Survey of Spanish Literature 1 |
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Select one of the following: |
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A course from the HISP 1900 series |
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Senior Conference (for students writing an honors thesis) |
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Elective courses |
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Select at least eight 1000-level courses which provide more specific preparation in major areas of Hispanic Studies. Students should consider taking one upper-level language course. 2 |
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Total Credits - 10 |
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1 |
Introduces students to standards and methods of interpretation in the field, as well as to major works, genres, and movement in the literatures and cultures of both sides of the Atlantic. |
2 |
Four of the 1000-level courses cover the principal areas of Hispanic Studies – from medieval and early modern works all the way to works in the twenty-first century. In consultation with the concentration advisor, students also choose from four 1000-level elective courses that best suit their specific needs and interests. Concentrators are reminded that courses from Comparative Literature, History and other disciplines may be applied toward the concentration in Hispanic Studies as long as they deal with Spanish or Latin American themes, or with questions or topics that are pertinent for the study of Peninsular or Latin American culture. Individual courses may be discussed with the Concentration Advisor on a case by case basis. Up to two courses from outside of Hispanic Studies may be counted toward the concentration. |
As many as four courses taken abroad may be applied towards the concentration in Hispanic Studies. These courses must meet the requirements of the concentration and be approved by the Concentration Advisor (note that they must first be approved for Brown University credit.) If you are planning to fulfill concentration requirements with courses taken abroad, please keep the syllabi and work (exams, papers) for evaluation.
Honors
Students are normally required to have an A average in their concentration courses before being considered for the Honors Program. Those interested in writing a Senior Thesis should discuss this possibility with the instructor they want as their thesis advisor during the spring semester of their junior year. Applications are due by the third week of a student's seventh semester at Brown.
Concentration Advisor:
Professor Beth Bauer is the Concentration Advisor for the Department.