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 |
| SPA-312 | Studies in Hispanic Culture 2 | 1 |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Topics Art History | ||
| Spec Topic: European Econ | ||
| Art & Arch of Ancient Americas | ||
| Peoples & Nations of Latin America | ||
| Spec Topic: Latin America Econ | ||
| Adv Topics: World & Comp History | ||
| Studies in Hispanic Language | ||
| Studies in Hispanic Culture | ||
| Adv Topics: Medieval & Early Modern Europe | ||
| Adv Topics: Modern Europe | ||
| Advanced Topics: American History | ||
| Adv 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
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.
HSP-107 Special Topics
Enrollment through Instructor and Program Chair.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-109 World Lit 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.Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-217 Topics in Philosophy
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-220 Int Topics in Comparative Politics
This is an intermediate-level course that focuses
on a specific topic in comparative politics.
Topics vary from semester to semester. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-228 Spec Topic: European Econ
The course provides opportunities for
specialized, innovative material to be made
available for students at the introductory level.
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: ECO-101
Credit: 1
HSP-240 Art & Arch 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
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
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
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
HSP-277 Spec Topic: Latin America Econ
The course provides opportunities for
specialized, innovative material to be made
available for students at the introductory level.
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: ECO-101
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-300 Adv Topics: World & Comp History
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in world and comparative history.
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: One previous course in History at Wabash
Credit: 1
HSP-311 Studies in Hispanic Language
Studies in Hispanic Language offers advanced
study in a Hispanic language. Topics may vary and
include, but are not limited to, linguistics:
phonetics, grammar and syntax, and second
language acquisition. Students will develop the
analytical tools and language specific to the
study of the Spanish language and demonstrate
those skills in interpretative essays and class
discussion. May be retaken for credit if topic is
different from previously taken course. This
course counts toward the Language Studies
requirement. Refer to the Course Descriptions
document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and
descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: SPA-301
Credit: 1
HSP-312 Studies in Hispanic Culture
Studies in Hispanic culture offers advanced study
of Hispanic culture. Topics may vary and include,
but are not limited to, film, popular culture and
arts, theory of mind, regional and ethnic
identities, gender studies, politics and religion.
As they consider the connections among different
disciplines and cultural contexts, students will
develop the analytical tools and language specific
to the interpretation of cultural moments and
demonstrate those skills in interpretative essays
and class discussion. May be retaken for credit
if topic is different from previously taken
course. Refer to the Course Descriptions document
on the Registrar's webpage for topics and
descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 and SPA-302
Credit: 1
HSP-313 Studies in Hispanic Literature
Studies in Hispanic Literature offers advanced
interdisciplinary study of Spanish and Latin
American literary genres, periods, and authors.
Topics may vary. Students read and analyze texts
to better understand the dialog between
literature and historical, political, and social
realities, as well as the connections between
Hispanic and other literary traditions. Students
will develop the analytical tools and language
specific to the interpretation of a particular
genre and demonstrate those skills in
interpretative essays and class discussion. May
be retaken for credit if topic is different from
previously taken course. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: SPA-301 and SPA-302
Credits: 0.5-1
HSP-320 Adv Topics: Medieval & Early Modern Europe
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in medieval and early modern
European history. Since the content of this
course varies from semester to semester, it may
be repeated for credit upon the instructor's
approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions
document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and
descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: One previous course in History at Wabash
Credits: 0.5-1
HSP-330 Adv Topics: Modern Europe
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in modern European history. Since
the content of this course varies from semester
to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon
the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: HIS-230, HIS-231, or HIS-232
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
HSP-340 Advanced Topics: American History
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in American history. Since the
content of this course varies from semester to
semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the
instructor's approval. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: HIS-240, HIS-241, HIS-242, HIS-244, or HIS-245
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
HSP-372 Adv Topics in Comparative Politics
These courses focus at an advance level on a
particular issue concept, problem or question in
comparative politics. Advanced level. Refer to the
Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's
webpage for topics and descriptions of current
offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
HSP-374 Adv Topics in International Relations
This is an advanced course that focuses on a
specific topic in international relations. Topics
vary from semester to semester. Refer to the
Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's
webpage for topics and descriptions of current
offerings.
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.
Dan Rogers. Modern Languages
Richard Warner, History