Hispanic Studies
Why take courses in Hispanic Studies?
Oberlin's Department of Hispanic Studies invites students to develop a broad and intimate understanding of the languages, literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
What kinds of questions does Hispanic Studies explore?
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How does history and politics influence Spanish and Latin American film, fiction, music, and art?
- How were indigenous voices and cultural expressions recorded, mediated and transformed before and after 1492?
- How does Spanish and Latin American (speculative, historical, realist, avant-garde) fiction imagine alternative realities?
- How does a text become "world literature"? Who decides, and how?
- How have gender and race been conceptualized and represented in the Spanish-speaking world?
- How have ethnic, national, linguistic, and regional identities emerged in the Spanish-speaking world? What role do they play today and how have they changed?
What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Hispanic Studies?
It is possible to complete a major in Hispanic Studies even if you have no background in the language when you arrive at Oberlin.
We highly recommend that students not wait too long to begin to learn, or to get back into, Spanish, as language proficiency (both skill, and a feeling of ease and skillfulness in speaking, listening, reading, and writing) is practice-based. The sooner you get back into the Spanish-speaking context, the less you will forget, and the better your chances for enduring fluency.
Spanish fluency is necessarily a requirement of all HISP courses. As an interdisciplinary area of study, Hispanic Studies also offers some courses in English on topics related to the Spanish-speaking world and its diasporas.
Taking Courses
Course placement
We require every student with a prior knowledge of Spanish (that does not have AP/IB credit) to take the placement exam if they wish to enroll in a class. Please see the Language Placement Tests page for additional information.
Students with previous experience in Spanish should take the placement test ASAP. We will notify you of your placement result so you can register for the right level.
For heritage and native speakers
Students who identify as heritage or native speakers, please contact the HISP chair, Ana María Díaz Burgos. Different definitions of these terms exist. We usually think of a heritage speaker as someone who was raised for a majority of their lives in the United States, in a home where Spanish is spoken and who understands and speaks the language to some degree. By native speakers we mean speakers of Spanish who grew up in a context in which Spanish was the predominant language. Both of these terms are fluid. If in doubt, ask us!
Courses for non-majors or general interest
- HISP 100 (When World Literature “Discovered” Latin America) and HISP/ARTH 157 (Approaches to the Arts of the Americas) are taught in English and appropriate for new students. Additionally, some upper-level HISP courses are taught in English. Check the course description for language of instruction.
Getting started in the major
Students who receive a placement of HISP 102, 202, or 203 should prioritize language acquisition. For the major, at least 7 of the 9.5 courses must be courses conducted in Spanish. Language courses taken at the 100- and 200-level do not count toward the Hispanic Studies major or minor, but they do count toward the Spanish minor.Students who receive HISP 300 credit (Advanced Placement) are encouraged to consider taking HISP 304 before taking further 300-level courses.
Advanced Placement Credit
Majors may transfer AP Spanish Language, or Literature (score of 5), or HL-IB Spanish (score of 6, or 7) toward the major requirements as HISP 300. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores.
Majoring in Hispanic Studies
Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. However, you can complete the major starting at any level, and with considerable flexibility in the order of courses. Please talk to any professor in the Hispanic Studies department, and see the catalog for additional details about major requirements.
Sample Four-Year Plans
| Starting from HISP 101 |
Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | HISP 101 | HISP 102 |
| Y2 | HISP 202 | HISP 203 Elective* |
| Y3 | HISP 304 Elective* |
Study Away |
| Y4 | HISP 3XX HISP 4XX |
HISP 501 HISP 4XX |
| Starting with HISP 300 |
Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Y1 | HISP 304 | HISP 3XX |
| Y2 | HISP 3XX | HISP 4XX |
| Y3 | Elective* | Study Away |
| Y4 | HISP 4XX | HISP 501 |
*Elective courses are related to Latin American, Spanish, or Latine cultural production, taught in English. Departments include: HISP, LATS, ANTH, POL, SOC, CAST, ARTH, and many more!
Related Areas of Study
Latin American studies; Classics; other modern languages; Sociology; Anthropology; Comparative Literature; Art History; History; Comparative American Studies; Politics; Biology; Neuroscience; Computer Science; Law and Society.
Learn More
Hispanic Studies Major Requirements
Hispanic Studies Department