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Spanish & Portuguese Studies



Spanish and Portuguese

Our department supports students in becoming global citizens, working to enhance their linguistic skills in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, deepen their intercultural competence and build their sense of civic responsibility.

We offer a wide range of language courses, including those geared toward the professions, and advanced multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary courses related to the Hispanic, Brazilian and Portuguese worlds. As active scholars and professors, our faculty carries out research and teaches in the areas of literature, cultures, history, linguistics, translation, visual arts, film, theatre and performance and creative and academic writing.

Beyond an advanced level of language proficiency, our graduates will have analytical and critical skills and the ability to think comparatively in a multilingual and increasingly interconnected world. These competencies are especially valued in the professional world and will help graduates thrive beyond Dickinson.

Students interested in Portuguese may also want to learn more about Dickinson’s Portuguese & Brazilian studies minor.

Contact Info

Chair

Erin DiazAssociate Professor of Spanish

Department Coordinator

Shana KitnerAcademic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1277

Fax

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Location

105, First floor, Bosler Hall Mailing Address

Department Features



Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

  • AmeriCorps
  • Global Strategic and Innovative Strategies (GSIS)
  • Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
  • United Nations Population Fund
  • Peace Corps
  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • Mujeres Unidas Avanzando
  • Madeira School
  • BAE Systems
  • SITE Program Lombardia
  • Teach for America
  • San Diego Padres
  • William J Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

Graduate Schools:

  • Georgetown University
  • Universidad de Málaga
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Virginia
  • Miami University
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Miami
  • Boston University
  • The University of Texas at Austin
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Vanderbilt University
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • House of Blues San Diego
  • Marie Claire
  • Milwaukee Magazine
  • National Defense Fund/Community Coalition
  • Newark Academy Summer Session
  • Nos sobran los motivos (We Are the Reason)
  • PA Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition; CASA
  • Planned Parenthood (Keystone)
  • Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism (RAC)
  • TripAdvisor
  • U.S. Army War College - Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
  • YSC Sports Marketing

Student Perspective

"During fall of my sophomore year, I took a class with Lecturer in Spanish Asunción Arnedo titled Spanish for the Health Professions. The course had a service-learning component through the Keystone Health Agricultural Workers Program; my peers and I traveled throughout the Cumberland Valley to serve as medical interpreters for Spanish speaking, migrant farmworkers. We often went directly to the farms where they live and work, staying late into the night to provide Covid-19 vaccines. It was gratifying to help people who may have struggled to access vaccination services otherwise. The workers helped me with my Spanish, while I helped them with their English; it was beautiful to build mutually beneficial, cross-cultural relationships with these individuals."

— Emerlee Simons ’24

"One of the best things about the Spanish major are the Spanish tables in the Caf. Students within and outside of the major can participate. It’s a great opportunity to socialize and practice your Spanish outside of the classroom while helping other students decide if they'd like to declare a major in Spanish."

— Christian Gonzalez ’24


Please take a look at a series of videos our students have made about their experience while in these programs


Spanish & Portuguese News

Student Snapshot: Emerlee Simons ’24

Student Snapshot: Emerlee Simons ’24

Meet Emerlee Simons ’24, an All-American student-athlete, Baird Sustainability Fellow and Dialogues Across Differences student-coordinator.

Changing the World ... With Chocolate

Changing the World ... With Chocolate

There's a craft chocolate boom in Peru, and anthropologist A.J. Wildey '13 plays a delectable part. Lonely Planet named her fair trade chocolate "library" a top 10 destination in the nation.

Carrying the Global Banner: Meet Brian Ruszczyk

Carrying the Global Banner: Meet Brian Ruszczyk '88

Decades into a globe-trotting finance career, this alum pivoted to the alt-protein sector. He's passing along lessons learned to a Dickinson student.

NEH and MLA Recognize Associate Professor of Spanish Mariana Past

NEH and MLA Recognize Associate Professor of Spanish Mariana Past

With a fellowship grant and an honorable mention, national organizations highlight scholarly edition and translation work.

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Supporting Digital Health Innovation

Former law & policy and Spanish major Vick Morris Tankle ’11, partner at Reed Smith LLP, supports her clients in navigating the intersection of health care and technology.

Student Snapshot: Christian Gonzalez ’24

Student Snapshot: Christian Gonzalez ’24

Meet Christian Gonzalez '24, a computer science major who interned with the College Farm to help develop a website that helps farms earn organic certification.