Learning Goals in the Hispanic Studies Major

Hispanic Studies offers flexible majors adaptable to varied student interests and needs. The traditional focus on language and literature is a departmental strength, which is complemented by offerings in cultural studies, interdisciplinary Latin American studies, and Latino studies.

Language

Students demonstrate sufficient written and oral proficiency in Spanish to express analytical thought, to understand non-dialectical speech, and to read literary and scholarly works. They also show an emerging ability to function linguistically in an environment of native speakers.

Content

Students demonstrate a breadth of knowledge, with depth in some areas, of the literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world (Spain, Latin America, and Hispanics in the United States). This cultural competence is supported by basic knowledge of historical, political, social, geographic, and economic situations and conditions in the Spanish-speaking world.

Skills

Critical Thinking. Students demonstrate the ability to analyze texts, make connections, compare perspectives, think independently, identify writers’ (and readers’) biases, identify and understand the uses of rhetorical devices, evaluate evidence and identify fallacies, argue in favor or against a particular viewpoint, and coherently synthesize information from diverse sources in social difference and power.

Research. Students demonstrate an ability to gather, organize, and present information from diverse sources; and an advanced competence in the use of libraries and electronic resources.

Life Skills. Students demonstrate biliterate and bicultural skills conducive to living and working among diverse populations in the United States and abroad.