Hispanic Studies
A major in Hispanic Studies at Wabash College provides students an interdisciplinary and integrative approach to the study of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), Latin America, and the Philippines. The major recognizes that the complexity and diversity of Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula do not fall under the purview of any one academic department. This makes Hispanic Studies an interdisciplinary, liberal arts area of study.
Student Learning Goals
Content: to acquire a degree of mastery of both essential factual material and conceptual, thematic and comparative knowledge in the Hispanic world, with an emphasis on diverse cultures, and different time periods in human history.
Comparison: to learn to compare the patterns of political and economic development of diverse societies in Latin America.
Scholarly Discourse: Evaluate the arguments that scholars make regarding Hispanic Studies, developing the skill to make one’s own scholarly argument orally and through written work.
Self-expression: to be competent in written and oral discourse in discussing issues related to Hispanic Studies.
Interdisciplinary connections: to identify and express academic connections related to Hispanic Studies with an emphasis on multiple liberal arts fields.
Requirements for the Major
The Major in Hispanic Studies consists of nine course credits distributed as described below. Students may not double count courses toward both a Hispanic Studies major and a Spanish major or a Spanish minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | ||
| SPA-201 | Intermediate Spanish 1 | 1 |
| SPA-202 | Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures 1 | 1 |
| SPA-301 | Conversation & Composition 1 | 1 |
| or SPA-321 | Spanish Conversation & Composition | |
| SPA-312 | Studies in Hispanic Culture 2 | 1 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Four credits from the following: | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| World Lit in Translation | ||
| Topics Art History | ||
| Topics in Philosophy | ||
| Int Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Spec Topic: European Econ | ||
| Art & Arch of Ancient Americas | ||
| Topics Latin American History | ||
| Peoples & Nations of Latin America | ||
| Special Topics: Lit/Fine Arts | ||
| Spec Topic: Latin America Econ | ||
| Adv Topics:World&Comp History | ||
| Studies in Hispanic Language | ||
| Studies in Hispanic Culture | ||
| Studies in Hispanic Literature | ||
| Adv Topics:Med&Early Mod Eur | ||
| Adv Topics: Modern Europe | ||
| Advanced Topics: American History | ||
| Adv Topics Comparative PoliticsýAdv Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Adv Topics in International Relations | ||
| Capstone | ||
| HSP-400 | Senior Capstone | 1 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
offered every semester
- 2
offered every year
Hispanic Studies students who begin Spanish language study at Wabash in SPA-202 or higher will substitute other courses in Spanish or Hispanic Studies, with approval of the Hispanic Studies chair, to replace the required language courses from which they have been exempted.
Comprehensive Exams
Written comps created and administered by qualified members of the Spanish and History Departments, or other appropriate departments. Orals will include a major examiner drawn from the same pool.
Course Descriptions (Per Subject)
HSP-107 Special Topics
Enrollment through Instructor and Program Chair. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-109 World Literature in Translation
This course focuses on world literature translated into English. Topics vary by semester, but themes in the course include national identity, exile, colonialism, gender inequality, political and religious conflict, and globalization. This course is offered in the spring semester. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-210 Topics Art History
The objective of this class is to develop the student's understanding of art history. Through the analysis of a particular theme or topic, students will gain a greater understanding of visual communication and its history. Since the content of this course varies from year to year, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Examples of course topics: Building for the Spirit; Religious Architecture from Antiquity to the Present; Women in Art; The Image of Man; Monumentality; Introduction to African Art; African American Art; The Art of the Ancient Americas; and Latin American Art. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-217 Topics in Philosophy
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-220 International Topics in Comparative Politics
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-228 Special Topics: European Economy
It may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: ECO-101
Credit: 1
HSP-240 Art & Architecture of Ancient Americas
This course will explore the art and architecture of the great civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andean region of South America from around 1500 BC until the arrival of Europeans in the New World. Similarities and distinctions in such aspects as urban planning, architecture, monumental sculpture, and portable arts will be explored among the great cultures of the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, Aztec, Nazca, Moche, and Inca.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-250 Topics Latin American History
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
HSP-252 Peoples & Nations of Latin America
A survey of the history of Latin America from Pre-Columbian times through the Wars of Independence and the national period to the current day. This course will examine the various internal dynamics and external influences that have shaped the experiences of the countries of Latin America since independence. Emphasis on socioeconomic structures as the conditioning environment for political and cultural developments. A major focus will be historical analysis of scholarly monographs and primary source documents.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
Equated Courses: HIS-252
HSP-270 Special Topics: Lit/Fine Arts
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-277 Special Topics: Latin America Econ
It may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: ECO-101
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-300 Adv Topics: World & Comparative History
It may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: One previous course in History at Wabash
Credit: 1
HSP-302 Intro to Literature This first course in the study of Hispanic literature examines the workings of style, form, structure, genre, symbolism, allusion, and metaphor. It also includes and introduction to the lexicon of literary criticism and the principles of literary theory. This course is taught in Spanish. All readings are in Spanish. Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321 Credit: 1 Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
Equated Courses: SPA-302
HSP-311 Studies in Hispanic Language
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321
Credit: 1
Distribution: Language Studies
HSP-312 Studies in Hispanic Culture
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements. Required for the major.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, and SPA-302
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
HSP-313 Studies in Hispanic Literature
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 or SPA-321, and SPA-302
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
HSP-320 Advanced Topics: Medieval & Early Modern Europe
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: One previous course in History at Wabash
Credits: 0.5-1
HSP-330 Advanced Topics: Modern Europe
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: HIS-230, HIS-231, or HIS-232
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
HSP-340 Advanced Topics: American History
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning's section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: HIS-240, HIS-241, HIS-242, HIS-244, or HIS-245
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
HSP-372 Advanced Topics: Comparative Politics
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning’s section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-374 Advanced Topics: International Relations
Topics vary with each scheduled offering. Refer to Student Planning’s section information for descriptions of individual offerings, and applicability to distribution requirements.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-400 Senior Capstone
Hispanic Studies Senior Capstone.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Hispanic Studies Oversight Committee
The Oversight Committee for the Major in Hispanic Studies consists of the chairs of Modern Languages, History, and a faculty member who teaches Latin American or Iberian content in another department appointed by the Dean of the College. The Committee will track students in the major, add and subtract courses from the list delineated below, and coordinate with faculty in all interested disciplines.
Matthew Greenhalgh, Modern Languages, chair
Aiala Levy, History
Dan Rogers, Modern Languages