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 Spanish language program offers a sequence of courses ranging from basic to advanced. Students at all levels develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while also studying the cultures and societies of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world. The Hispanic Literatures and Cultures 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 Latinx-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, and students in this concentration are 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 Latin American and Latinx communities in the United States.
Concentration Requirements and Overview of the Curriculum
The concentration requires a minimum of ten courses: one required course, HISP 0650 Advanced Spanish through Literature and Film (unless waived1); up to six courses from HISP 0550, HISP 0600 or at the 700 level; and at least three courses at the 1000 level (or equivalent with the approval of the concentration advisor). HISP 0650 gives students fundamental tools for critical analysis while also specifically targeting the development of advanced grammar and writing skills. The 700 level encompasses panoramic courses in the literary and cultural histories of Spain, Latin America, and the Latinx USA, as well as introductory courses on professional and literary translation and Spanish linguistics, all of which place emphasis on continued refinement of written and oral expression in Spanish. Courses at the 1000 level focus on particular authors, genres, periods, or special topics and introduce students to major critical voices and scholarly perspectives on the materials studied. Concentrators must take at least one Hispanic Studies course with the WRIT designation.
1 Students can waive this course with an AP of 5 in Spanish Literature; or an SAT II of 750 or above; or a Brown Placement Score in Spanish of 651 or above. For more information on placements go to: https://www.brown.edu/academics/hispanic-studies/language-placement
Students may count up to three related courses from outside the Hispanic Studies department toward their concentration. Eligible courses include: 1) courses that explore the literatures, histories, languages, or cultures of Spain, Latin America, or the Latinx USA, offered by other departments or programs at Brown, through study abroad programs2, or as transfer credits; 2) courses with relevant content conducted in another related foreign language such as Portuguese, Nahuatl, Quechua, Catalan, Euskera, or Galician, including both upper-division literature/culture courses and language instruction. Nota bene: A maximum of one language-learning course in a non-Spanish language, and a maximum of two courses conducted in English, may count toward the ten required concentration courses. All external courses must receive approval from the DUS, ideally obtained before enrolling.
2 For study abroad courses, students must consult with the DUS both before and after completing their study abroad program to confirm course equivalency and ensure that the courses can be applied toward the concentration.
The Hispanic Studies Literatures and Cultures concentration is designed to encourage and support language-specific study, for we believe that the linguistic cultural products of the Spanish-speaking world are most deeply appreciated in the original language. Hispanic Studies courses are therefore generally taught in Spanish, unless otherwise specified in the course description. Up to two courses taken in English or another language, whether in the department or outside, can count toward the concentration.
| Required Course: | ||
| Advanced Spanish Through Literature & Film | ||
| Up to six courses from HISP 0550, HISP 0600, or at the 700-level, such as: | ||
| Intermediate Spanish for Heritage Speakers | ||
| Advanced Spanish II | ||
| Hispanic Culture Through Cinema | ||
| Introducción a la lingüística hispánica | ||
| Introduction to Professional Translation and Interpretation | ||
| Encounters: Latin America in Its Literature and Culture | ||
| Intensive Survey of Spanish Literature | ||
| The Latin American Diaspora in the US | ||
| Wildeyed Stories | ||
| Health, Illness and Medicine in Spanish and Spanish American Literature and Film | ||
| At least three 1000-level courses, such as: | ||
| Fashion and Fiction in the Early Modern Hispanic World | ||
| History of the Spanish Language | ||
| Don Quijote de la Mancha | ||
| De abuelas a nietas: escritoras españolas y latinoamericanas de 1925 a 2025 | ||
| Short Forms: Major Works in a Minor Key | ||
| War, Revolution and the Cult of the Hero in Latin American Culture | ||
| Tropical Fictions: Geography and Literature in Latin American Culture | ||
| Visions and Voices of Indigenous Mexico | ||
| Hablan los hijos: A New Generation of Latin American Writers | ||
| “You Are Here”: Mapas, Pueblos Indígenas y Mundos Nuevos | ||
| Reimagining the Line: Contemporary Arts and Political Imagination at the Mexico-US Border | ||
| Theory and Practice of Translation | ||
| ¡Qué miedo! El cine hispánico de horror | ||
| Students can take up to two courses in languages other than Spanish, such as: | ||
| Latinx Literature | ||
| Modern Latin America | ||
| Beginning Nahuatl | ||
| Writing and Speaking Portuguese | ||
| Total Credits = 10 | ||
Capstone colloquium: Giving students an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate their achievements in the Hispanic Literatures and Cultures concentration, there is an annual colloquium with graduating seniors, faculty and friends. Each graduating senior shares a piece of work or a text, whether studied in class or produced as an assignment, that stands out as particularly significant to their time in Hispanic Studies. This can take several forms: it can be an extract from a poem, novel, play, or critical essay; it can also be a film or music clip or piece of art; or, a translation done by the student, or an original creative text.
Honors Thesis or Project
Students with an excellent record in their Hispanic Studies courses will be eligible to write an Honors Thesis or write and produce an Honors Project. Students pursuing honors must have a record of all A’s or a final grade of S with distinction in courses they have as S/NC. Typically, the Honors Thesis is a major research paper of approximately 40 to 80 pages in Spanish, depending on the topic and treatment necessary. Alternatively, a student may, with prior permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, present a film, gallery exhibition, or other appropriate project, together with a paper that clearly demonstrates the academic foundations and relevance of the project. For additional details regarding the Honors Thesis in Hispanic Studies, please refer to our website.