Spanish & Portuguese Advising Guide

Introduction

The department offers a major and a minor in Spanish through a wide selection of courses in the language, civilization and literature of Spain, Latin America and United States Hispanic populations. In addition, independent study and research are available every semester. Unless otherwise indicated, all courses are conducted in Spanish. Study abroad is strongly encouraged. Students, including First-Years, planning to major in Spanish should consider studying in Dickinson programs in Málaga, Spain; Medoza Argentina; or Cuenca, Ecuador their Junior year. Generally, students study abroad their Junior year, although with special permission, a student may: 1) study in Málaga the Fall of their Senior year, or 2) study a semester or full year in their sophomore year. Spanish majors and minors often find it desirable to acquire a supporting field of expertise through their candidacy for the Latin American Studies Certificate.

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

All students who wish to take Spanish at Dickinson should follow the placement exam link on the Orientation page for instructions on taking the on-line placement exam. The department, upon having received the test score, will place each student in the appropriate Spanish class and will let each student know by email where he/she has been placed. Students should take the test online before July 1, 2013.  

Test scores and credits that may affect course selection
Advanced Placement scores: course credit and/or placement  

A student who has achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test in Spanish will be granted credit for SPAN 116.  Those students who wish to continue the study of Spanish at Dickinson MUST take the Dickinson College placement exam to determine appropriate course placement. 

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Language Requirement:
Completion at the intermediate level, SPAN 116 or above. 

Division IB:    
One course in Spanish literature, OR Latin American literature OR Latino literature. 

U.S. Diversity:      
Spanish 239: Spanish for Health Professionals 
Spanish 350: Latino,-a Literature

Writing Intensive Courses:      
Spanish 231: Spanish Composition
Spanish 305: Introduction to Literary Analysis and Theory

For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Spanish and Portuguese. 

Co-curricular activities 
The department's co-curricular activities in Spanish include: (1) a Spanish Club, which is open to majors and non-majors alike and sponsors parties, field trips and other cultural activities, (2) the Spanish Table, held once a week in a private dining area of the Holland Union Building, where students and professors meet over dinner for conversation and informal discussions in Spanish, and (3) the Casa Luso-Hispánica, which offers a unique opportunity for the students to live in a Spanish-speaking environment, using the Spanish language as the main vehicle for daily communication.  

A key role in such activities is played by three foreign students who are brought every year by the department, in collaboration with the Center for Global Study and Engagement.  These Overseas Student Assistants, native speakers from Málaga, Spain, and Querétaro, Mexico, live in the Casa Luso-Hispánica during the school year, are in charge of the Spanish Table, and assist faculty with language courses in the department.  

Independent study 
This is an opportunity to explore individually an area of special interest to the student within the discipline.  It is normally arranged through individual contact between the student and the professor involved in the semester preceding the actual project, and approved by the Department Chair, Elise Bartosik-Velez. However, an independent study is not a tutorial designed to replace courses regularly offered by the department but rather an opportunity to do in-depth study in areas not covered by regular courses.

Two other considerations should be taken into account in this regard: (1) the student should not impose on a professor to offer an independent study that is outside the professor's area of expertise within the discipline, and (2) the student should have acquired a sound general background in the given area of interest before engaging in the study of a specialized topic within such area.  A study of the poetry of Garcia Lorca, for instance, would be undertaken by a student who has already acquired a background on 20th century Spanish poetry.

Opportunities for off-campus study 
The 1985-86 academic year marked the inauguration of Dickinson's first full year or fall semester program at the University of Málaga in Málaga, Spain.  A Dickinson director is in residence and the program there is intended to enhance and enrich the strong Spanish major the student has initiated on the Carlisle campus.   

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese strongly encourages qualified students to participate in our programs in Málaga, Medoza, or Cuenca.  Although not required, it is generally expected that Spanish majors will spend at least one semester, and preferably the entire junior year, at one of our centers. Exceptional students who begin Spanish at the 200 level should consider doing this during their sophomore year.

Students who have completed SPAN 116 are encouraged to participate in the summer immersion program in Málaga (SPAN 200). 

There are two partner programs affiliated with Dickinson, one in Buenos Aires, Argentina (IES) in the fall, and one in São Paulo, Brazil (CIEE).  Consult the Center for Clobal Study and Engagement for more information. 

Additional remarks

Careers: Knowledge of the Spanish language and culture can be a major asset in professional schools and many positions in business and government. Most recent graduates in Spanish are currently employed in teaching, government agencies, social work, and private business. A number of our alumni are now doing graduate work in Spanish, and some have held short-term teaching positions abroad. A list of careers of former Spanish majors is available in the Career Center.

Flowchart for Placement Information
Flowchart for Those Retaking Placement Exam

Portuguese

At this point neither a major nor a minor program is offered in Portuguese (though this is subject to change pending committee approval).  Students may take significant course work on the language, culture, and literature of the Luso-Brazilian world through occasional courses, tutorial, and independent studies.  Any student who has studied Portuguese should contact the department for appropriate placement.

Students interested in taking Portuguese should consult with Professor Carolina Castellanos.