Spanish and Portuguese

Program Offerings

Offering type
A.B.

More than half a billion people across five continents speak Spanish or Portuguese as their first language, and in the United States, with more than 42 million Spanish speakers, the Hispanic legacy is embedded in myriad aspects of American politics, arts and culture. Our community of scholars studies and highlights the importance and influence of the Spanish, Latin American and Luso-Afro-Brazilian histories, cultures and languages in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to our globalized present.

Our department is a critical pillar of Princeton's commitment to internationalization and scholarly excellence. We encourage and facilitate interdisciplinary work, and our faculty are active in many other departments and programs on campus, including the Program in Latin American Studies, International and Regional Studies, Brazil LAB, American Studies, Global Health, Media and Modernity, the School of Architecture, Comparative Literature, Renaissance Studies, History, Art and Archaeology, the Art Museum and the Environmental Institute.

Our mission is to help Princeton students flourish as global citizens, ready to face the challenges posed by an increasingly cosmopolitan and multilingual professional world. With this general purpose in mind, we offer a full range of language courses, advanced seminars on literature and culture, translation workshops and the opportunity for independent study. With the support and guidance of our talented faculty, students can study not only the Spanish and Portuguese languages, but also literatures, visual arts, music, urban cultures, as well as the complex political and social histories of the Hispanic and Luso-Afro-Brazilian worlds.

Students become familiar with renowned writers such as Miguel de Cervantes and Jorge Luis Borges; Nobel Prize laureates Gabriela Mistral, José Saramago and Mario Vargas Llosa; influential artists such as the painters Diego Velázquez, Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo; the architect Oscar Niemeyer; contemporary musicians Caetano Veloso, Gotan Project and Calle 13; as well as international filmmakers such as Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar, Kleber Mendonça and Alfonso Cuarón. To experience cultural and linguistic immersion, our students also can study abroad through our popular summer programs in Argentina, Portugal and Spain, or with other approved international programs.

Our majors and minors are provided with the high linguistic proficiency, cross-cultural literacy and critical and analytical skills that are key for careers in the humanities, law, medicine, government, international relations, international business, education and community-based initiatives today. They also enable students interested in the environment to communicate effectively when doing research or volunteering in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking regions. Our courses serve as passports for living and working in more than 30 countries, including some of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Goals for Student Learning

The mission of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese is to provide our majors and minors with a refined knowledge of the literatures, cultures, societies and politics of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds. To address the range of areas in which this expertise can potentially be deployed, the department offers four different tracks: 1. Spanish Language, Literature and Culture or Portuguese Language, Literature and Culture; 2. POR and SPA Language, Literature and Culture; 3. Interdisciplinary, which combines the target language and culture with another field; and 4. Creative Arts.

In response to the variety of interests and career goals of our students, we have expanded the range of course types and have opened perspectives for independent work. The diversity of the faculty’s approaches, as well as the preeminence of the multidisciplinary perspective represented by cultural studies, allow us to offer courses that include literary, cultural, visual and political analysis, translation theory and practice, studies on diversity and inequality, creative writing, etc. In recent years, our students have successfully defended senior theses of the most diverse nature: e.g., cultural and literary research, journalistic chronicles, ethnography, creative writing.

The academic itinerary of Spanish and Portuguese majors attends the following learning goals:

  • To acquire a sophisticated knowledge of the contextual and historical specificities of the target culture(s) and their linguistic circulation, as well as to understand their positioning and involvement in global cultural and social networks.
  • To master the necessary methodological tools to critically analyze the studied topics. These include but are not limited to literary close reading, film studies and cultural analysis.
  • To acquire the research skills that are necessary to produce original and sophisticated pieces of work on the target topics. These include but are not limited to quantitative and qualitative analysis, development of archival research and conduction of ethnographic work.
  • To become familiar with the main currents in critical theory, especially those produced and circulating in the regions studied. Also, to be able to apply critical theory and other secondary sources in the development of independent research, whether it is aimed at creative work or at a scholarly essay.
  • To use their acquired knowledge and skills to actively intervene in a field of expertise, whether in education, cultural institutions, public policy or any other sector.

Advanced Placement

An advanced placement examination in Spanish (language and/or literature) with a score of 5 or SAT Subject Test score of at least 760 is required to satisfy the A.B. foreign language requirement at entrance, or for admission to a 200-level course. A score of 7 on the higher-level IB test or a grade of A on the British A-level exam also fulfills the requirement.

Prerequisites

Students must complete the Spanish and/or Portuguese language requirements at Princeton or by taking the placement test. See the Spanish language sequence and the Portuguese language sequence. For a quick reference, check "How to Get Started" on the SPO website.

Declaration of Major

Before declaring a major in Spanish and/or Portuguese in April of sophomore year, please email the director of undergraduate studies to set up an appointment.

Majors automatically default into the Track 1 sub-plan. (See track descriptions below.) There will be an opportunity to elect a sub-plan during the declaration period, although the track may be changed at any time during junior or senior year by contacting the department's undergraduate administrator.

Early Major

Qualified students are encouraged to decide on their major as early as possible in their sophomore year. In this way they can benefit from departmental advising on course selection, summer plans, and on the possibility of spending a semester or the whole junior year studying abroad.

Program of Study

  • Spanish majors are strongly advised to take one advanced language course (SPA 204-209 and SPA 307), unless the director of undergraduate studies (in consultation with the language directors) determines that the respective student’s language skills do not warrant taking such a course.
  • Portuguese majors are required to take at least one 200-level POR course. Students cannot earn both a SPO major (in any track) and a SPO minor (regardless of the language of the major). Students interested in focusing on both Spanish and Portuguese may choose Track 2 for their major.
  • Study abroad: With the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, up to three courses taken during a semester abroad may count toward the major if the student is pursuing Track 1 or Track 2. Up to two courses per semester abroad may be counted toward the major if the student is pursuing Track 3 or Track 4.

Departmental Tracks

Departmental courses cover a wide array of literary, cultural, social, historical and political topics. Students are therefore able to pursue courses of study that are tailor-made to their own individual interests. The department offers four different tracks for majors.

Please note that an upper division course is any course above Spanish 209 or POR 209.

Track 1 in Spanish Language, Literature & Culture OR Portuguese Language, Literature & Culture

OPTION 1: Eight SPA or cross-listed courses 

  1. At the 200 level, students are expected to progress by taking one advanced language course (SPA 204-209) and one “topics course” above SPA 209. 
  2. At least four courses at the 300 level or above.
  3. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English (taught by a Spanish speaking faculty) can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Spanish.
  4. One course in pre-1800 literature. 
  5. University regulations limit to 12 the number of departmental courses allowed to each student in their major.
  6. Up to three courses per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

OPTION 2: Eight POR or cross-listed courses 

  1. For students who start the Portuguese track at the language-level classes, one intermediate language-level class (107-109) can count toward the major. 
  2. At least one at the 200 level. 
  3. At least one at the 300 level or higher.
  4. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English (taught by the Portuguese-speaking faculty) can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Portuguese.
  5. Princeton summer abroad courses in Portugal/Cape Verde or Brazil offered by SPO count toward the requirement.

Track 2 in Spanish and Portuguese Languages, Literatures & Cultures

Five SPA courses AND three POR courses OR five POR courses AND three SPA courses 

OPTION 1: Five SPA courses and three POR courses

  1. For SPA courses: students are expected to progress by taking one advanced language course (SPA 204-209) and one “topics course” above SPA 209. 
  2. At least two courses in SPA at the 300 level. 
  3. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Spanish or Portuguese.
  4. Note that all Princeton summer courses offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  5. Up to three courses per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

OPTION 2: Five POR courses and three SPA courses 

  1. For students who start the Portuguese track at the language-level classes, one intermediate language-level class (107-109) can count toward the major. 
  2. At least one at the 200 level. 
  3. At least one at the 300 level or higher.
  4. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Portuguese.
  5. Princeton summer abroad courses in Portugal/Cape Verde or Brazil offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  6. Up to three courses per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish or Portuguese course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

Track 3 Interdisciplinary Track in Spanish OR Portuguese

Major in Spanish or Portuguese with another related field (e.g., Urban Studies, Architecture, Global Health & Health Policy, Environmental Studies, Humanistic Studies, Sociology, European Studies, International Studies, Latino Studies, Latin American Studies, Comparative Literature, History, Politics, Anthropology).

OPTION 1: Five SPA courses and three courses in a secondary field 

  1. For SPA courses: students are expected to progress by taking one advanced language course (SPA 204-209) and one “topics course” above SPA 209. 
  2. At least two courses in SPA at the 300 level. 
  3. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Spanish.
  4. Note that all Princeton summer courses offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  5. Up to two courses in SPA per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.
  6. Up to one course in the secondary field per semester abroad will count toward the major with the DUS from the secondary major’s approval. Students must contact the DUS of the secondary field with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

OPTION 2: Five POR courses and three courses in a secondary field 

  1. For POR courses: one intermediate language-level class (107-109) can count toward the major. 
  2. At least one at the 200 level. 
  3. At least one at the 300 level or higher.
  4. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Portuguese.
  5. Princeton summer abroad courses in Portugal/Cape Verde or Brazil offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  6. Up to two courses in POR per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Portuguese course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.
  7. Up to one course in the secondary field per semester abroad will count toward the major with the DUS from the secondary major’s approval. Students must contact the DUS of the secondary field with the description and syllabus of the Portuguese course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

Track 4 Creative Arts Track in Spanish OR Portuguese

Major in Spanish or Portuguese with the creative arts (e.g., creative writing, theater, visual arts, translation).

OPTION 1: Five SPA courses and three courses in the creative arts

  1. For SPA courses: students are expected to progress by taking one advanced language course (SPA 204-209) and one “topics course” above SPA 209.
  2. At least two courses in SPA at the 300 level. 
  3. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Spanish.
  4. Note that all Princeton summer courses offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  5. Up to two courses in SPA per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.
  6. Up to one course in the Creative Arts per semester abroad will count toward the major with the approval of the DUS from the respective Creative Arts Program. Students must contact the DUS in the respective Creative Arts Program with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

OPTION 2: Five POR courses and three courses in the creative arts 

  1. For POR courses: one intermediate language-level class (107-109) can count toward the major. 
  2. At least one at the 200 level. 
  3. At least one at the 300 level or higher.
  4. Up to two cross-listed courses taken in English can count toward the major, provided that all written work is completed in Portuguese.
  5. Princeton summer abroad courses in Portugal/Cape Verde or Brazil offered by SPO count toward the requirement.
  6. Up to two courses in POR per semester abroad may be counted toward the major. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.
  7. Up to one course in the Creative Arts per semester abroad will count toward the major with the approval of the DUS from the respective Creative Arts Program. Students must contact the DUS in the respective Creative Arts Program with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted toward the major to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

Spanish Language Program

The normal program for beginners seeking a basic mastery of Spanish is the sequence 101, 102, 107, which satisfies the University's language requirement. Visit "How to Get Started" on the SPO website for a quick reference guide.

Students with a satisfactory score on the department's Spanish language placement test will be placed in either 103 or 105, and will proceed respectively to 107 or 108 to satisfy the University language requirement. They may also be placed directly into 108. Students who have successfully completed 107 may not take 108. Students cannot place into SPA 102 or SPA 107 through the department's placement test.

Course credit in 101-102, 103, 107, or 108 is also available through approved courses outside of Princeton University (see Study Abroad below). Students who take 100-level Spanish courses outside of Princeton University must take the departmental placement test after the completion of their courses to demonstrate that they have reached the necessary proficiency level.

Email Catalina Méndez Vallejo, associate director of the Spanish language program, for questions regarding the placement test.

Students who want to receive credit for a Spanish language course taken outside of Princeton, or have questions concerning summer language study, should email Mariana Bono, associate director of the Spanish language program.

Please contact Mariana Bono for the following:

  • Language assessment and proficiency evaluations (undergraduate and graduate students)
  • Pre-approval for 100- and 200-level Spanish language courses taken abroad. 

For upper-level Spanish literature and culture courses, please contact Director of Undergraduate Studies Christina Lee.

Contact Mariana Bono for questions regarding the Teacher Prep Program.

Portuguese Language Program

The sequence for beginners seeking a basic mastery of Portuguese is 101, 102, 107, which satisfies the University's language requirement. The sequence for students who have a previous knowledge of a Romance language is 106, 109, which also satisfies the University's language requirement. POR 106 is designed for, but not limited to, students who have already fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish, French or Italian. Students are encouraged to contact an instructor of Portuguese to find out whether they qualify to take 106. POR 199 is an intensive one-semester course and may not be used to fulfill the language requirement. Placement is handled on a case-by-case basis. All questions related to 100- and 200-level Portuguese courses can be addressed to the Acting Director of the Portuguese Language Program, Luis Gonçalves.  Visit "How to Get Started" on the SPO website for a quick reference guide.

The Portuguese faculty and instructors have created Lingua Viva, an online learning platform tailored to Princeton students, to support Portuguese courses. This website includes videos, music, news, literary works and more to maximize language acquisition, and promotes the diverse cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world. You are required to log into your Princeton University account in order to access the resources on the website.

For questions concerning placement and summer study, please contact Luis Gonçalves, Acting Director of the Portuguese Language Program.

Independent Work

The program of study in junior and senior years is generally more intensive in its focus, reflecting the requirements of the departmental major the student has chosen. Undergraduates declare their departmental major prior to the start of junior year and complete a program of study that combines a set of courses with junior and senior independent work. Independent work gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on library, laboratory and field-based research, and in sustained writing projects. The independent work requirement, culminating in the senior thesis, is the keystone of the Princeton academic experience. In senior year, students take a departmental examination that is focused on some aspect of their major or on the senior thesis.

Junior Papers

Majors are strongly advised to take SPA/POR 330 during the fall of their junior year. This course is designed to introduce students to research methods and to guide them in the production of their first junior paper.

Majors should discuss as soon as possible their area of interest with the director of undergraduate studies in order to find the most appropriate advisers for the junior papers (JPs). By the end of September (first JP), and by mid-February (second JP), all juniors should have contacted their advisers to discuss a plan of work.

The first JP (fall semester) should be about 4,000 words, and the second JP (spring semester) should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words. Both JPs may be written in English, in which case a three-page summary in the target language must be provided. Or, the JP can be written in the target language, in which case a summary is not needed. Any extensions beyond the University deadline date need preapproval from both the director of undergraduate studies and the residential college dean. All JPs must include the University's honor pledge.

Majors following two languages are encouraged to write one JP in each of the languages of the majors.

Senior Thesis

Majors should select a senior thesis adviser by the end of September at the latest. The senior thesis is normally written in English and should be between 15,000 and 20,000 words. Topics chosen in the past have ranged over the whole field of Spanish and Portuguese studies, from linguistic problems and literary techniques through close textual analysis to thematic and ideological studies. Students primarily interested in culture and civilization have written on art, political and economic issues, education and a variety of social questions. The senior thesis is a major commitment of a student's time and energy, and the most important yardstick for choosing a topic is willingness to spend many hours on a particular set of texts or problems. Please visit the Mudd Library website for inspiration and a listing of previous senior thesis topics over the years. More detailed information can be found in the Senior Thesis Handbook.

Any extensions beyond the University deadline date need preapproval from both the director of undergraduate studies and the residential college dean.

Resources are available to assist students with the costs of senior thesis research, including, when appropriate, travel abroad. The best time to use them is the summer preceding senior year.

Senior Departmental Examination

The senior departmental/comprehensive exam will consist of an oral presentation of the senior thesis. It will be followed by questions regarding the thesis content and bibliography, as well as questions related to the coursework done by the student in the department.

Study Abroad

The department strongly encourages its majors to spend as much time as they can in any country where their language(s) of concentration is (are) spoken. There are many ways of doing this within the four-year undergraduate degree: through study abroad for one or two semesters; through summer study abroad; and through a summer internship abroad. All students must visit the Office of International Programs to become acquainted with the administrative procedures related to study abroad.

Junior Semester / Junior Year Abroad

Students planning to spend a semester or their whole junior year abroad should seek advice from the director of undergraduate studies and from relevant faculty in choosing a suitable program of study. Further assistance is available from the Office of International Programs. Departmental and University approvals of programs abroad are required.

Grades awarded by overseas institutions for courses that are recognized in lieu of Princeton courses are not included in the consideration of departmental honors.

Students who study abroad are not exempted from independent work requirements. If necessary, the department will decide to find a JP adviser in the location where the student spends the semester or year abroad or will indicate a department adviser who will be in contact with the student by email throughout the term or year abroad.

Up to three approved courses taken abroad in one semester will normally count for up to three course credits toward the major. Students must complete the program abroad to the standards required by the foreign institution. For more information, please see Go Abroad and the International Travel Handbook which are available online or in the Office of International Programs.

Summer Language Study

All students interested in languages are encouraged to study abroad during the summer in one of the programs recommended by the department and the Office of International Programs. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese has summer programs in Toledo, Spain, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, for students with intermediate and advanced knowledge of Spanish, and a summer program in Lisbon, Portugal, for students with intermediate to advanced knowledge of Portuguese. The department offers several scholarships to attend those programs.

Study Abroad Course Approval

For courses not offered through or affiliated with Princeton University, Approval for a Course Taken at Another Institution forms must be approved by the department contacts noted below, depending on the course level. After meeting with the Office of International Programs, please email the appropriate faculty member for an appointment, and bring a form for approval along with the study abroad course description, syllabus or materials. Study abroad courses must be approved in advance.

Christina Lee, director of undergraduate studies: Upper-level Spanish and Portuguese literature and culture courses

Mariana Bono: Language-level Spanish courses

Luis Gonçalves: Language-level Portuguese courses

For proficiency evaluations, please see our Language Learning section.

International Internship Program

Princeton's International Internship Program (IIP) supports Princeton undergraduates who wish to undertake a summer internship abroad.

Offering type
Minor

Goals for Student Learning

Our mission is to help Princeton students flourish as global citizens, ready to face the challenges
posed by an increasingly complex, cosmopolitan, and multilingual professional world. With this
purpose in mind, we offer a wide range of language courses, advanced seminars on literature and
culture, translation workshops, and the opportunity for independent study. With the support and
guidance of our faculty, students who seek a minor can explore not only the Spanish and
Portuguese languages but also its literatures, visual arts, music, urban cultures, thinking
traditions, as well as the complex political and social histories of the Spanish-speaking and
Portuguese-speaking countries and its diasporas in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Admission to the Program

The program is open to all undergraduates in all departments. Students wishing to complete a minor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures must complete the minor application form. 

A separate application is required for each language in which a minor will be pursued. Please email the undergraduate administrator with general questions, and the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) regarding pre-approval for study abroad courses other than those offered by Princeton. 

Students who want to minor in both Spanish or Portuguese and the Program in Latin American Studies can do so with the permission of both program directors, which includes a conversation about course plans. In agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies (PLAS), one course can be used towards both a minor in SPA and a minor in PLAS.

Program of Study

The minor is available in Spanish or Portuguese and involves satisfactory completion of the following course requirements:

Minor in Spanish

1 - Five SPA or cross-listed courses (two at the 200-level and three at the 300-level or higher), and a 1500-word capstone assignment in Spanish

  • At the 200-level, students are expected to progress by taking one advanced language course (SPA 204-209) and one “topics course” above SPA 209. 
  • In agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies (PLAS), one course can be simultaneously used towards both a minor in SPA and a minor in PLAS.
  • Up to one cross-listed course taken in English can count towards the minor, provided that all written work is completed in Spanish.
  • Note that all Princeton summer courses in Spain and Argentina offered by SPO count towards the requirement.
  • Up to one course per semester taken abroad at another institution can count towards the minor with the pre-approval of the DUS. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Spanish course they intend to have counted towards the minor to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.

2 - A capstone assignment in Spanish consisting of a 1500-word reflection on how the student’s work in the minor has informed their learning in their major coursework and potentially their independent work. 

  • The assignment should be independently carried out during the student’s senior year. It must be submitted to the Undergraduate Administrator and the Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than one week after the Senior Thesis submission deadline.

Minor in Portuguese

1 - Five POR or cross-listed courses at the 200-level or higher (with at least one at the 300-level or higher)

  • For students who start the Portuguese track at the language-level classes, one intermediate language-level class (107-109) can count towards the minor. 
  • Princeton summer abroad courses in Portugal/Cape Verde or Brazil offered by SPO count towards the requirement.
  • Up to one course per semester taken abroad at another institution can count towards the minor with the pre-approval of the DUS. Students intending to study abroad must contact the DUS with the description and syllabus of the Portuguese course they intend to have counted towards the minor to make sure that such course is equivalent to a course offered at Princeton.
  • Up to one cross-listed course taken in English can count towards the minor, provided that all written work is completed in Portuguese.
  • In agreement with the Program in Latin American Studies (PLAS), one course can be used towards both a minor in POR and a minor in PLAS.

2 - A capstone assignment in Portuguese consisting of a 1500-word reflection on how the student’s work in the minor has informed their learning in their major coursework and potentially their independent work. 

  • The assignment should be independently carried out during the student’s senior year. It must be submitted to the Undergraduate Administrator and the Director of Undergraduate Studies no later than one week after the Senior Thesis submission deadline.

Additional Requirements

At the end of the senior year, students are required to complete a capstone assignment consisting of a 1500-words reflection on how the student’s work in the minor has informed their learning in their major coursework and potentially their independent work.

Faculty

  • Chair

    • Pedro Meira Monteiro

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies

    • Christina H. Lee

  • Director of Graduate Studies

    • Javier E. Guerrero

  • Professor

    • Marina S. Brownlee
    • Rubén Gallo
    • Javier E. Guerrero
    • Germán Labrador Méndez
    • Christina H. Lee
    • Pedro Meira Monteiro
    • Gabriela Nouzeilles

  • Associate Professor

    • Rachel L. Price

  • Assistant Professor

    • Natalia Castro Picón
    • Rafael Cesar

  • Associated Faculty

    • Aisha M. Beliso-De Jesús, Effron Center Study of America
    • João Biehl, Anthropology
    • Eduardo L. Cadava, English
    • Susana Draper, Comparative Literature
    • Irene V. Small, Art and Archaeology

  • University Lecturer

    • Alberto Bruzos Moro

  • Senior Lecturer

    • Anna Alsina Naudi
    • Gorka Bilbao Terreros
    • Mariana Bono
    • Nicola T. Cooney
    • Anais Holgado-Lage
    • Adriana G. Merino
    • Dunia Catalina Méndez Vallejo

  • Lecturer

    • Catalina Arango
    • Cloe Cavero de Carondelet
    • Nadia Cervantes Pérez
    • Maria F. Chiaramonte
    • Yvonne Gavela-Ramos
    • Luis Gonçalves
    • Iris I. Hauser
    • Raquel Mattson-Prieto
    • Paloma Moscardó-Vallés
    • Eduardo Negueruela Azarola
    • Eliot Raynor
    • Luana Reis
    • Cesar Adrian Romero Fernandez
    • Maria A. Saiz Angulo
    • Amina B. Shabani
    • Rodrigo Simon de Moraes

  • Visiting Professor

    • Laura Catelli
    • Lilia K. Moritz Schwarcz

For a full list of faculty members and fellows please visit the department or program website.

Courses

POR 101 - Introduction to Portuguese I Fall

Students will be taught the fundamental skills of oral comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, while gaining exposure to the Portuguese-speaking world through the media, literature, film and the music of Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa. L. Gonçalves

POR 102 - Introduction to Portuguese II Spring

A continuation of POR 101. Students will continue to develop skills of oral/aural comprehension, speaking, reading and writing, while gaining further exposure to the Portuguese-speaking world through the media, literature, film and music of Brazil, Portugal and Lusophone Africa. Students who successfully complete POR 102 will place into POR 107. L. Gonçalves

POR 106 - Introduction to Portuguese for Spanish Speakers Fall/Spring

Normally open to students already proficient in Spanish, French, or Italian, this course uses that knowledge as a basis for the accelerated learning of Portuguese. Emphasis on the concurrent development of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Three classes. Prerequisite: Spanish 107 or equivalent, or instructor's permission. L. Gonçalves

POR 107 - Intermediate Portuguese Fall

Students will continue to develop their speaking, reading and writing skills while being exposed to realia related to the Lusophone world, such as daily news, reports, short stories, chronicles, videos, films, critical reviews, etc. Through different communicative genres, students will learn not only the language but also the culture, art and lifestyle of a range of Portuguese-speaking societies. L. Gonçalves

POR 109 - Intermediate Portuguese for Spanish Speakers Fall/Spring

Students will continue to develop their language skills, especially those of comprehension and written and oral expression through grammar study, readings, film, music, and other activities. Students will read and discuss one novel in Portuguese and will gain further exposure to the cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world. Three classes. Prerequisite: POR 106 or instructor's permission. Staff

POR 199 - Intensive Portuguese Fall/Spring

An intensive course designed for students who have fulfilled the language requirement in Spanish or another Romance language. Knowledge of one of these languages provides the basis for the accelerated learning of Portuguese. This intensive one-semester course teaches fundamental communication skills of comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing and provides some exposure to cultural aspects of the Portuguese-speaking world. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 208 - Journeys in Portuguese: Studies in Language and Culture

Designed as a journey through the Portuguese-speaking world, this course seeks to present the Portuguese language in context by exploring historical, social, political, and cultural aspects of Brazil, Portugal, Portuguese-speaking Africa and Asia through media, literature, film, music, and other activities. Students will increase their fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken Portuguese, broadening their vocabulary and mastery of syntax through textual analysis, discussions, oral presentations, and grammar review. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: 109 or instructor's permission. L. Gonçalves

POR 209 - Portuguese Cultural Themes

An advanced language and culture course looking at a variety of themes pertaining to the contemporary Portuguese-speaking world. Discussions and compositions expand knowledge of grammar and increase fluency in written and spoken Portuguese, providing a solid foundation for further study of literature and culture. Prerequisite: POR 109 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 221 - Introduction to the Literature and Culture of the Portuguese-Speaking World (also LAS 223) LA

Through readings of selected texts and audiovisual materials, this course introduces students to the diverse cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world. Discussions focus on Portugal's expansion during early modern times, and the spread of the Portuguese language in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Contemporary issues in several geographic areas will be approached comparatively. Prerequisite: POR 208 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 300 - Luso-Afro-Brazilian Literary Traditions (also LAS 315) LA

This course focuses on works that have been key for shaping the literary tradition of the Portuguese language, from colonial to postcolonial times. Discussions will focus on the intersections between literature, social change, identity, and history in Brazil, Portugal, and Lusophone Africa. Prerequisite: POR 208 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 301 - Modern Brazilian Literature and Culture (also LAS 303) LA

A study of 19th- to 21st-century Brazilian texts with the aim of defining the place of Brazilian literature and culture within the context of Latin America and beyond. To include writers like Machado de Assis, Oswald de Andrade, Guimarães Rosa, Drummond, João Cabral, Clarice Lispector, and Caetano Veloso. Prerequisite: POR 208 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 304 - Topics in Brazilian Cultural and Social History (also LAS 311) LA

Through the analysis of literary texts, films, and music, the course will consider cultural responses to the construction of a Brazilian national identity. Possible topics include the Brazilian modernist tradition; contemporary culture and media; the city and literature; poetry and song. Prerequisites: POR 208 or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute classes. Staff

POR 319 - Brazilian Cinema (also LAS 319/VIS 346) LA

An introduction to the richness of Brazilian film, this course explores major cinematic movements: from the Cinema Novo, to critically acclaimed documentaries and more recent commercial successes like City of God. Recurrent and emerging trends will be discussed (e.g., the destruction of the Amazon, urban violence, literary adaptation, musical expressions). Prerequisite: POR 208 or instructor's permission. One three-hour class. Staff

POR 354 - Topics in Contemporary Literature in Brazil and Beyond (also GSS 327/LAS 334) Spring CD or LA

This course focuses on the works of individuals and collectives whose projects challenge traditional notions of women's writing and representation. From renowned authors like Clarice Lispector to contemporary figures such as Txai Suruí and Djaimilia Pereira, we will look at writers and artists with gender identities ranging from cisgender to transgender and non-binary, examining how their interventions reshape the feminist canon. By connecting words, bodies, and voices, and engaging with works from outside the Portuguese-speaking world, we will analyze how feminist ideas move and transform across languages, cultures, and experiences. P. Meira Monteiro

SPA 101 - Beginner's Spanish I Fall

An integrated approach to develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish in a cultural context to foster cultural awareness of the Spanish-speaking world. Class activities are devoted to acquiring and developing communicative and cultural competence through aural/oral practice, reading strategies, vocabulary acquisition, and language production. Audiovisual and other media resources are included. Five classes. A. Merino

SPA 102 - Beginner's Spanish II Spring

A continuation of SPA 101. The course continues to stress oral/aural practice with added emphasis on reading and communicative writing strategies. Students will read and analyze literary and cultural texts. Increased expression will be fostered through composition editing, videos, music, and film commentaries. Audiovisual and other media resources are included. Five classes. Prerequisite: SPA 101. The next course in this sequence is SPA 107. E. Raynor

SPA 103 - Intensive Beginner's and Intermediate Spanish Fall

An intensive course that combines 101 and 102 in one semester. Designed for students who have previously studied Spanish. An integrated approach that emphasizes developing and reinforcing language skills. Students will be introduced to various cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world through literary readings, videos, music, and films. Audiovisual and other media resources are included. Five classes. Prerequisites: satisfactory score on Princeton Spanish placement test and instructor's permission. Followed by SPA 107. E. Raynor

SPA 105 - Intermediate Spanish Fall

Specially designed for students with a good foundation in Spanish. Class activities reinforce language skills through aural/oral practice, grammar review, vocabulary acquisition, reading, editing, composition, oral presentations, and discussion of contemporary Spanish short stories, music, and films. Three classes. Prerequisites: a satisfactory score on the Princeton Spanish placement test. Normally followed by 108. N. Cervantes Pérez

SPA 107 - Intermediate/Advanced Spanish Fall/Spring

Designed for students who have successfully completed SPA 102 or SPA 103. An integrated approach to increase comprehension, and oral and written expression. Class activities reinforce language skills through aural/oral practice, grammar review, vocabulary acquisition, reading, editing compositions, oral presentations, and discussion. Students will develop their reading comprehension, oral proficiency, and writing skills through various multimedia activities. Five classes. Prerequisite: SPA 101-102 or SPA 103. Staff

SPA 108 - Advanced Spanish Fall/Spring

An intensive course designed to prepare students to enter 200-level courses, with an emphasis on reading, speaking, and writing. The course is aimed at developing advanced language skills through frequent writing exercises, oral presentations, discussions of current events, literary texts, music, and film. Three classes. Prerequisite: 105 or satisfactory score on the Princeton Spanish placement test. G. Bilbao Terreros

SPA 205 - Medical Spanish Fall/Spring SA

An advanced level Spanish course on health and medical topics. Its main purpose is to provide the students with vocabulary and linguistic skills to discuss medical issues, and to prepare them to interact with Spanish speakers in a healthcare environment in the U.S. or Latin America. The course is focused on both oral and written skills. It will also explore some aspects of the Spanish-speaking culture in the fields of health and medicine through authentic documents and the contribution of guest speakers. P. Moscardó-Vallés

SPA 206 - Legal and Business Spanish Spring SA

An advanced level Spanish course on legal and business language. The aim is to provide students with a new vocabulary for classroom discussions, readings and practice in a guided legal and business-related context. This course enables a deeper understanding of grammatical concepts previously presented as well as the syntactical and lexical challenges typical of this specific area of the Spanish language. Students will also be introduced to the basics of a completely different legal system and different business cultures, through texts, discussions, research, translation practice, situational case studies, and videos. A. Alsina Naudi

SPA 207 - Studies in Spanish Language and Style Fall/Spring LA

An advanced course in Spanish composition and conversation designed to give students increased fluency and expertise in written and verbal Spanish skills. Extensive review of grammar and vocabulary through written and oral exercises. Course material includes literary texts, news-related publications, and films. Three classes. Prerequisite: SPA 107 or SPA 108 or equivalent AP/SAT score. A. Holgado-Lage

SPA 209 - Spanish Language and Culture through Cinema Fall/Spring LA

Designed to enhance oral and written skills in Spanish while increasing familiarity with Hispanic cultures through cinema. Language skills development is connected to the content of films and will be combined with in-class debates on cultural topics and writing of compositions. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: SPA 107 or SPA 108 or equivalent AP/SAT score. R. Mattson-Prieto

SPA 210 - Introduction to Spanish-English Translation (also TRA 210) Not offered this year LA

This course offers an introduction to translation practice for the Spanish-English language pair, focusing primarily on the task of translating from Spanish into English. However, students will also carry out a number of brief English into Spanish translation tasks. The course is conducted entirely in Spanish and follows a communicative approach to translation, with a good balance between theory and praxis. It will provide students with a solid foundation in the field, and prepare them to take more specialized translation courses. Staff

SPA 211 - Varieties of Spanish (also LIN 211) Spring SA

Offered as an overview of sociolinguistic variation in the Spanish-speaking world, students will learn about social, political, and cultural aspects related to dialectal variation in Spanish and become acquainted with important linguistic features present in various dialects. Upon completion of the course, students become familiarized with particular features distinguishing one dialect from another, while gaining knowledge of the development of these differences. This course will greatly enrich a student's view of Spanish, either as a native/heritage speaker or Spanish learner, and allows for the development of analytical skills. D. Méndez Vallejo

SPA 221 - Introduction to Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Cultures LA

Major developments in Spanish literature and civilization from the Muslim conquest to the 17th century. Beliefs and attitudes underlying the rise of the Spanish empire and the ways in which the interaction (convivencia) of Christians, Jews, and Muslims brought about the cultural differentiation of Spain within the European context. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: 207 or higher, or instructor's permission. M. Brownlee

SPA 222 - Introduction to Latin American Cultures (also LAO 222/LAS 222) Fall CD or LA

Introduction to modern Latin American cultural and literary traditions with emphasis on the political uses of writing and art, national identity vis-à-vis popular and indigenous groups, memory and representation, the definition of modernity, and trans-American dialogues. The course may focus on national foundational fictions, the literary and artistic avant-gardes of the 1920s and 1960s, Mexican and Peruvian indigenismo, and memory art and cinema. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: SPA 207 or higher, or instructor's permission. Strongly recommended before 300-level courses. Staff

SPA 224 - Hispanic Studies: Introduction to Cultural Analysis LA

An introduction to textual analysis and interpretation of Hispanic literatures. The course will be organized on discussions of various genre (narrative, poetry, drama, essay). Readings will include authors from early and modern periods from Spain and Latin America, such as Garcilaso de la Vega, Cervantes, Calderón de la Barca, Miguel de Unamuno, García Lorca, Sor Juana, José Hernández, Rubén Darío, Jorge Luis Borges, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Margo Glantz. Popular music and film will also be studied. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: 107 or 108, or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 227 - Contemporary Issues in Spain (also EPS 227/URB 237) LA

This course will focus on current political, social, and cultural issues in Latin America and/or Spain, including social movements, new artistic developments, economic changes, environmental debates, globalization and culture, politics of memory, immigration and cultural conflicts, nationalist movements, etc. Each semester, the course will focus on one of two particular regions and countries, such as the Southern Cone, the Andean region, Central America, Brazil, Mexico and the borderlands, Spain, etc. This course will also strengthen the students' conversational skills through team discussion and oral presentations. G. Labrador Méndez

SPA 300 - The Literature and Culture of Spain and Colonial Latin America: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque (also LAS 300) LA

Through selected texts from Spain and colonial Latin America, the course will explore the formation of a literary tradition in Spanish. The main objective is to foster comparative studies within literatures and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world so as to identify points of contact and differentiation currently defining this field of studies. Two lectures, one preceptorial. Prerequisite: one 200-level Spanish course. Staff

SPA 301 - Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Culture (also COM 368/MED 301) LA

Poetry, prose, and drama of the Golden Age. Readings might include the works of authors such as Garcilaso, Saint Theresa, Saint John of the Cross, Góngora, Quevedo, Lope de Vega, and Calderón. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 302 - Medieval Spanish Literature LA

Spanish literature and culture from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the 16th century. Emphasis on both literary works (most read in modernized versions) and original documents. Special attention will be given to medieval Spain's pluralistic society of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Prerequisite: a 200-level course in Spanish or instructor's permission. Two 90-minute seminars. Staff

SPA 303 - Spanish Literature and Culture: Modern Spain 1700 to Present LA

Key literary works are analyzed in relation to main cultural, political, and social currents in Spain in the last three centuries. The course combines analysis of specific texts with a panoramic view of the complex articulation of cultural forces that have led to the present configuration of contemporary Spain. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. N. Castro Picón

SPA 306 - Cervantes and His Age (also COM 315) LA

Since 1605, Don Quixote has elicited passionate reactions: Faulkner read it once a year, as some read the Bible, while Malraux saw it as the most meaningful book for survivors of concentration camps. Quixote has been construed in disparate ways, from debating good and bad reading and writing, to mocking the medieval world view; from exploring the serious impact of the printing press, to benevolently satirizing the conquistadors; from being a study of deviant social behavior and the nature of madness, to a meditation on human sexuality and ageing. One lecture, two precepts. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or equivalent. M. Brownlee

SPA 307 - Advanced Reading and Writing in Spanish Fall/Spring LA

An advanced language course which develops and reinforces accuracy and fluency in both writing and speaking Spanish. Students will learn to identify linguistic features that characterize different genres, as well as social and cultural factors that aid in the interpretation and understanding of different texts and types of speech. The course also aims at providing the tools for discourse analysis, raising awareness of the social and ideological values that permeate discursive practices, and developing autonomy and proficiency as an advanced learner of Spanish language. Three classes. Prerequisite: One 200-level SPA course. D. Méndez Vallejo

SPA 309 - Translation: Cultures in Context LA

An introduction to the study and practice of translation, this course provides students with an awareness of the complex tasks involved in translating written materials from one cultural context to another. The cultural encounter between the Hispanic and the Anglo-Saxon will be explored through the translation of increasingly difficult texts--newspaper articles, interviews, economic reports, and scientific articles. Through the examination of the students' own translations, the course will study the process of cultural exchange between Spanish and English. Prerequisite: 307. One three-hour seminar. Staff

SPA 312 - The Dramatic Expression of the Golden Age LA

A survey of the major forms of Spanish drama of the Golden Age, including plays by Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, and Calderón. Emphasis on the development of the theater in relation to the rise of the absolutist state, the Counter-Reformation, and the impact of the Inquisition on Spanish society. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course. Two 90-minute classes. M. Brownlee

SPA 319 - Topics in Cinema and Culture (also LAS 354) LA

Major cinematic movements in Latin America and/or Spain: their influence and their relationship to literary and cultural issues. Possible topics include: the art of adaptation of narrative to film or Spanish surrealism. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: 207 or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 320 - Modern Spanish Fiction LA

The development of the novel and short story, as art forms, from 19th-century realism to the avant-garde of the 1920s and 1930s. An analysis of literary problems and their historical background, drawing on the works of Galdós, Clarín, Unamuno, Baroja, Valle-Inclán, Miró, and others. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or equivalent. Staff

SPA 326 - Modern Spanish Poetry LA

Poetry from the late 19th century to the Spanish Civil War, considering modernismo and the generations of '98 and '27 in relation to European symbolism and the avant-garde. One three hour seminar. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or equivalent. G. Labrador Méndez

SPA 331 - Modern Latin American Fiction (also LAS 331) LA

Major themes, forms, and techniques in Latin American novels and short stories. Close analysis of texts by Borges, Rulfo, García Márquez, Bolaño, Vallejo, and others. Consideration will be given to historical contexts and contemporary ideological currents. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 332 - Modern Latin American Poetry (also LAS 332) LA

An introduction to the major poets and poetic trends in modern Latin America and the Caribbean, with emphasis on Martí, Darío, Huidobro, Vallejo, Mistral, Neruda, Palés Matos, Borges, and Saer. Special attention also to the rich oral traditions represented by popular genres such as boleros, tango, nueva canción and rock, and particularly the work of Silvio Rodríguez, Violeta Parra, Rubén Blades, Tite Curet Alonso, and Charly García available in audio recordings or videos. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or equivalent. Staff

SPA 342 - Topics in Latin American Modernity (also LAS 342) Fall LA

The development of cultural patterns and literary forms in Spanish America since the late 19th century. Topics may include: the importance of oral traditions and popular music in forging identities; the literary and ideological import of modernismo, travel literature in the 19th century; and the avant-garde movements of the 1920s. Two 90-minute classes. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 343 - The Invention of Latin American Traditions (also LAS 343) LA

Fundamental texts of Spanish American literature from colonial times to the present. In a given semester the course could focus on works by Garcilaso, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Sarmiento, José Hernandez, Martí, Borges, Mariátegui, Palés Matos, Henríquez Ureña, or Lezama Lima. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 344 - Literature and Society in Early Latin America (also LAS 344) LA

This seminar studies literary, legal, and historical writings in relation to such topics as imperialism and colonialism, the image of the "Indian," cultural identities, and rhetoric and politics, from the writings of Columbus and the cartographic imagination to the formation of the new criollo culture in the vice-regal city. Texts from the following authors will be carefully analyzed: Cortés, Cabeza de Vaca, Las Casas, Garcilaso de la Vega, Huaman Poma, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 345 - Topics in Latin American Literature and Ideology (also LAS 345) LA

Latin American and Caribbean thought from 1800 to the present, focusing on the conflicting cultural and ideological assumptions of liberalism and nationalism. Topics might include slavery and literature, the writing of history, the intellectuals and power, or the writings of some major figures such as Bolívar, Hostos, Martí, Mariátegui, Fernando Ortiz, or Paz. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 346 - Modern Latin American Fiction in Translation (also COM 346/LAS 364) LA

Readings and discussion of authors such as Machado de Assis, Cortázar, Lispector, García Márquez, Vargas Llosa, and Puig, considered in relation to the cultures of Latin America and to trends of modern European and American fiction. Does not count as a departmental course for Spanish majors unless readings and papers are done in Spanish. Three hour lecture. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. R. Gallo

SPA 348 - Fictions and Communities in the Andes (also LAS 348) Not offered this year LA

How is the complexity of the Andes imagined or resolved in its literatures? This seminar will study the plurality of narrations and communities that constitute the Andean world, focusing primarily on Peru and two of its major intellectual movements in the 20th century: the indigenismo and the criollo urban literature. Aspects of the Afro-Peruvian narratives will also be studied. Major authors discussed include: Ricardo Palma, Clorinda Matto, González Prada, Mariátegui, Arguedas, Vargas Llosa, Bryce, Ribeyro, Gregorio Martínez. Conducted in Spanish. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 350 - Topics in Latin American Cultural Studies (also LAS 349) Fall LA

A course focusing on elements of Latin American culture that left a strong mark on the history, literature, and arts of the region. Recent topics include the representation of Che Guevara in novels, film, and photography; the literary response to Tango in Argentina; the impact of the invention of radio in avant-garde poetry. The course will emphasize the connections between history, literature, arts, and visual culture of the region. Two 90-minute seminars. Prerequisite: a 200-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

SPA 380 - Translation Workshop: Spanish to English (also TRA 380) Spring LA

This workshop-style course will focus on developing the student's skills in translating short texts from Spanish into English. Each week one or two students will present their translations from a selection of poems and short stories by writers like Octavio Paz, Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Julio Cortázar, and many others. Students will also read theoretical texts about translation. Several professional translators will visit the class during the semester and present examples from their own work to the class. Prerequisite: reading knowledge of Spanish. One three-hour seminar. N. Wimmer

SPA 381 - Topics in the Theory of Translation Not offered this year LA

An overview of recent debates about the practice of translation with special emphasis on how these ideas have been applied in translations of literary works by poets, novelists, and thinkers like Octavio Paz, Alfonso Reyes, Jorge Luis Borges, José Lezama Lima, and José Ortega y Gasset. Readings include essays on translation by Walter Benjamin, Vladimir Nabokov, Georges Steiner, and Lawrence Venutti. Students will be asked to translate a literary text from Spanish to English. Prerequisite: 307. One three-hour seminar. Staff

SPA 401 - Topics in Hispanic Culture (Europe and America) (also LAS 428) LA

Possible topics might include: modernity, empire, and colonialism, European travel literature in Latin America, the encounter of Latin America, and North American cultural traditions. One three-hour seminar. Prerequisite: a 300-level Spanish course or instructor's permission. Staff

COM 309 - The Lyric (also ENG 420/SPA 349) Not offered this year LA

The lyric as a form of literary art, as distinct from narrative or drama. Readings encompass a variety of lyrical forms and a number of different cultures. Translations will be used. One lecture, one two-hour seminar. S. Bermann

ECS 321 - Cultural Systems (also COM 389/SPA 333) Spring LA

Symbolic systems and social life in specific historical eras. Topics will vary. Recent courses include, for example, magic, art, and science in Renaissance culture, political discourse and nationalism, culture and inequality, history of technology, and the rhetoric of new media. R. Gallo

LAS 401 - Latin American Studies Seminar (also LAO 401/SPA 412) Not offered this year LA

The seminar will concentrate upon themes and topics in Latin American history, politics, society, literature, and/or culture. The focus will vary from year to year. Staff

LAS 404 - Latin American Studies Seminar (also POR 411/SPA 410) Not offered this year LA

The seminar will concentrate upon themes and topics in Latin American history, politics, society, literature, and/or culture. The focus will vary from year to year. Staff