Hispanic Studies Major
Major Requirements
The Hispanic Studies major consists of 10 courses designed to develop strong language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and critical thinking skills. The major's core requirements include HISP 205 Advanced Spanish and HISP 210 Writing Spanish, providing a solid foundation in the language. Students then choose from a diverse array of electives, with the option to fulfill some of these requirements through approved off-campus study programs in Spanish-speaking countries. For their capstone experience, students may select either a seminar option, requiring completion of at least three 300-level Hispanic Studies seminars, or a thesis option, which involves two 300-level seminars and a senior thesis project. This flexible structure allows students to tailor their studies to their individual interests while ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the Spanish language and the cultural productions of the Spanish-speaking world, ultimately preparing them to navigate and engage with an increasingly interconnected global community.
Core
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP 205 | Advanced Spanish |
| HISP 210 | Writing Spanish |
Advanced Spanish may be waived for heritage learners or for students who have completed part of their secondary education in a Spanish-speaking country. In either case, students must complete 10 courses.
Electives
Complete five courses from among the following:
At least one 200-level course from the Hispanic Studies department beyond HISP 210 Writing Spanish:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP 222 | Short Narrative in the Spanish-speaking World |
| HISP 223 | Drama and Performance in the Spanish-speaking World |
| HISP 224 | Protest and Justice |
| HISP 226 | Race and Nation in the Ibero/American World |
| HISP 228 | Screen and Media |
One First Year Seminar offered by the Hispanic Studies department:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| FYS 404 | On the Road to Spain |
One Short Term course offered by the Hispanic Studies department:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP S31 | The Spain of Pedro Almodóvar |
One course in English offered by the Hispanic Studies Department
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| LALS 309 | Visions of Freedom Before 1619 in the Iberian Black Atlantic |
Students who complete 1 semester of study in an approved off-campus study program in a Spanish speaking country may receive up to 3 credits towards the 200-level electives requirement.
Students who complete 2 semesters of an approved off-campus study program in a Spanish speaking country may receive up to 4 credits towards the 200-level HISP electives, and 1 credit towards the 300-level seminars required for completion of the elected capstone sequence.
Capstone Sequence
The Hispanic Studies capstone sequence offers two options: Seminar or Thesis. Both options require students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken Spanish and competency in Humanities approaches to textual and cultural analysis.
Students for whom Hispanic Studies is their only major should choose the Thesis Option in order to fulfill the [W3] requirement.
Double majors may select either the Seminar Option or the Thesis Option, provided the capstone or thesis in their other major satisfies the Bates General Education [W3] requirement.
Senior Seminar
Complete at least three 300-level Hispanic Studies seminars:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP 304 | Poesía de resistencia: From Antipatriarchy to Anti-imperialism |
| HISP 305 | Law and Justice in Contemporary Spanish Cinema |
| HISP 308 | Poéticas del género y la memoria |
| HISP 315 | Novelas Noir: Latin American Women Write Crime |
| HISP 317 | Screening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film |
| HISP 347 | Building Memory: Narratives of the Spanish Civil War |
| HISP 368 | Realismo |
| LALS 304 | Poesía de resistencia: From Antipatriarchy to Anti-imperialism |
| LALS 317 | Screening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film |
Thesis Option
Complete two 300-level Hispanic Studies seminars:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP 304 | Poesía de resistencia: From Antipatriarchy to Anti-imperialism |
| HISP 305 | Law and Justice in Contemporary Spanish Cinema |
| HISP 308 | Poéticas del género y la memoria |
| HISP 315 | Novelas Noir: Latin American Women Write Crime |
| HISP 317 | Screening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film |
| HISP 347 | Building Memory: Narratives of the Spanish Civil War |
| HISP 368 | Realismo |
| LALS 304 | Poesía de resistencia: From Antipatriarchy to Anti-imperialism |
| LALS 317 | Screening Citizenship: Jewish Latin American Film |
Complete one course from the following:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| HISP 457 | Senior Thesis |
| HISP 458 | Senior Thesis |
The thesis may be a literary or cultural analysis of a topic related to the Spanish-speaking world, a creative project, a translation, or a digital portfolio. Thesis writers register for HISP 457 Senior Thesis in the fall, HISP 458 Senior Thesis in the winter, or HISP 457 Senior Thesis and HISP 458 Senior Thesis if completing an honors thesis.
Courses Taken Outside of Bates
Majors are encouraged to gain proficiency in the language through the experience of studying in a Spanish-speaking country. For the major, a maximum of three credits is normally recognized for one semester, and five credits for two semesters of study in an approved program. Students are encouraged to speak with their major advisor regarding course offerings before going abroad; otherwise, credit toward the major is not guaranteed. Courses taken at other institutions in languages other than Spanish are not given credit by the department.
Pass/Fail
The use of the Pass/Fail option is restricted to one course within the major but may not be elected for the required 300-level courses.
Restricted Declarations
Students who have declared the Hispanic Studies major may not declare the following:
- Hispanic Studies minor
- Post/Colonial Issues in French and Spanish (C032)
Other Considerations
Only one course from the Latin American and Latinx Studies major may be applied toward the Hispanic Studies major.