Students who study Spanish are also encouraged to study Portuguese. Students who wish to major or minor in Hispanic Studies should see an advisor about the proper sequence of courses and other requirements. The major in Hispanic Studies requires fourteen courses in Hispanic Studies and four related courses in other areas. Each student, in consultation with an advisor, designs a concentration that represents a coherent pattern of study. Students may choose to concentrate on either the Literature and Culture of Latin America or on the Literature and Culture of Spain, or on an appropriate combination of courses from both areas.
Many students fulfill some of their requirements through courses taken abroad.
The Teaching of Spanish Weinberg students pursuing a major in Hispanic Studies who also wish to be certified for secondary teaching are urged to contact the Office of Student Affairs in the School of Education and Social Policy as early as possible in their academic careers to begin this process. The research project culminates in a senior thesis, which, together with the student's academic record, forms the basis for faculty decisions on the award of departmental honors. The award of honors is made by a committee of Weinberg College on the recommendation of the department. In the 399 taken in the Fall, students work with a professor in the department to prepare a bibliography and conduct research for an honors paper. In the 399 taken in the Winter, students organize the results of their research and write the paper.