Spanish Major Requirements

The coursework plan needed to earn a B.A. degree in Spanish at Dickinson College is rigorous but achievable. Designed to create a global atmosphere, the Spanish department faculty taps into the student's specified areas of study and research as well as their individual interests. Courses range from Medieval Spanish Literature to Contemporary Latin American Literatures. The all-encompassing design of the Spanish major allows each student to focus on the requisites and to expand her or his interests while exploring the world of the Spanish speaker, historically, culturally, narratively, and orally.

Important!

If you declared your Spanish major before March 5, 2007, the rules below apply to you. See also previous course descriptions and numbers here. 

If you declared your Spanish major after March 5, 2007, then please see the online Bulletin here.

Also see the revised curriculum changes below, plus new course descriptions and numbers.

Rules for Spanish majors declared before March 5, 2007:

Eleven courses numbered 200 and above (including 241 or 261, 242, 243 and 410), at least ten of which must have been conducted in the Spanish language. No more than two language skill courses may be applied to the major. (i.e. 200 and 231, language tutorial in Málaga.) Only one course in English related to Hispanic themes can count towards the major. This course can be taken with a FLIC option. Before taking the Topics or the Seminar, the student should complete two courses in the 300 level.

** Special notice for those students that started the major before the changes became effective:

  • students who are taking 300 level courses do not need to go back and take 230
  • 241 and 242 are no longer required and any 200 or 300 level course can be substituted for them towards the major and minor (if not taken before the change became effective).
  • 243 is now 305 and can be considered in the 300 level, even if the student took it when it was numbered 243.
  • please see your advisor and/or department chair if you have questions about any courses that you have taken that you are unsure about.

200 Level courses

(Language Skills courses, no more than two count towards the major):

200 Málaga Summer Immersion (Prerequisite: 116 or the equivalent)

231 Conversation and Composition (Prerequisite: 116 or the equivalent)

240 Advanced Grammar (Prerequisite: 116 or the equivalent)

251 Language Tutorial (offered only at the Dickinson Study Center in Málaga)

Required courses (4 required):

241 Aspects of the Spanish Civilization or 261 (Prerequisite: 231 or 240, or permission of the instructor)(No longer offered after Spring 07)
242 Aspects of the Latin American Civilization (Prerequisite: 231 or 240, or permission of the instructor) (No longer offered after Spring 07)
243 Introduction to Literary Criticism in Spanish (Prerequisite: 231 or 240, or 241 or 242 or permission of the instructor) (now 305)
410 Seminar (Prerequisite: two courses in the 300 level)

300 and 400 level courses:

310 Studies in Spanish Medieval Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
311 Studies in Pre-Colombian and Colonial Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
320 Studies in Spanish Golden Age Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
321 Studies in Late Colonial and 19th Century Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
330 Studies in 18th and 19th Century Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
331 Studies in Modernismo and Vanguardia (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
340 Studies in Contemporary Spanish Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
341 Studies in Contemporary Latin American Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
350 Studies in Latino Texts (Prerequisite: 243 or the equivalent)
400 Topics (Prerequisite: two courses at the 300 the level)
410 Seminar (Prerequisite: two courses in the 300 level)

Only one course in English related to Hispanic topics taken in another department with a FLIC option may count toward the major. Remember a total of 11 courses count toward the major.

Complete course description for majors who declared before March 5, 2007.

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Rules for Spanish majors declared after March 5, 2007:

The Spanish major consists of a total of eleven courses numbered 200 and above. Required courses are 230 (Advanced Grammar), 231 (Spanish Composition), 305 (Introduction to Literary Analysis and Theory) and 410 (Seminar in Hispanic Literature). A maximum of 4 of the courses may be at the 200 level. A minimum of ten courses must be conducted in the Spanish language; only one course in English related to Luso-Hispanic themes can count towards the major. This course should be taken with the FLIC option if it is available. Before taking a 400-level course students should complete at least two courses at the 300 level. SPAN 410 must be taken in the senior year.

For Majors Intending Off-Campus Study and Transfer Students: Regardless of the amount of transfer credit or off-campus study credit earned, a student majoring in Spanish must complete a minimum of five courses on campus. Of these five, at least two regular courses must be completed during the senior year.

Suggested four year program:

First Year: 116, 230, 231
Second Year: 200-level courses not taken in the first year, 305 if not taken in first year, and/or 300-level
Third Year: Junior Year Abroad, or 300-level courses not taken in second year. 300-level courses may also be taken in the third year.
Fourth Year: 300 and 400-level courses, including 410
NOTE: The courses for the Spanish major should be carefully planned in consultation with the student's major adviser.

Complete course description for majors who declared after March 5, 2007.

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