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 the spring of my junior year, I studied abroad in Málaga, Spain. Looking back, this is one of the best decisions I made in college, because it helped me look at my life in a completely different way. I could not believe how much my Spanish improved and how in-tune I felt with the Spanish culture by the time the program ended. 

Olivia Lowden '19 (Spanish, neuroscience)


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.