In addition to classroom instruction, students have the opportunity to acquire authentic linguistic and cultural experience through one of our various study abroad programs, as well as to undertake independent research.
Luso-Hispanic Studies
¡Bienvenidos! Bem-vindos!
Luso-Hispanic studies provides the highest-quality education to students of Spanish and Portuguese with respect to language learning, liberal arts training, and the understanding of cultural diversity.
Carne Asada no Quintal
The Middlebury Department of Luso-Hispanic Studies will be holding our new opening of semester Carne Asada no Quintal event next Saturday (9/30) from 4:00-6:00 PM in the backyard of the Portuguese House. This new department tradition is a great place to speak Spanish and Portuguese, eat good food, and spend time with students and teachers involved in the Luso-Hispanic Department, Spanish and Portuguese Language Houses, and for students with Latino, lusophonic or hispanophone backgrounds. Those interested in learning more about Spanish and Portuguese language and cultures are welcome to come! To get an idea of how many people to expect, we would love for you to RSVP by filling out the short form below by Wednesday (9/28) of next week.
https://forms.gle/yaRUa3B3NfEW4QMv9
Our Department
We offer a major and a minor in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese. Students can acquire linguistic proficiency in their chosen language(s), as well as a thorough understanding of the culture, literature, and linguistics of Lusophone and Hispanic nation states and their diasporas in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
Our faculty members come from eight different countries and teach a rich curriculum with a broad array of courses in language, literature, linguistics, and visual culture. Our students have the opportunity to study at any of our 21 sites in five different countries of the Middlebury C.V. Schools Abroad in Spain and Latin America.
Activities
Take advantage of the Spanish and Portuguese tables that bring faculty and students together at lunch. Or immerse yourself in language by living in the Spanish House or the Portuguese House. There are plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the year.
Our Curriculum
We offer a carefully designed and rich curriculum centered around two specific goals:
- To use the most current and effective methods of language instruction in order to help students acquire an expert proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish and/or Portuguese.
- To employ its diverse faculty’s experience and research in familiarizing students with the major currents of Lusophone and Hispanic literature, arts, philosophical thought, linguistics, and culture.
Although focused on Spanish and Portuguese language and cultures, the program is also open to the study of the translated experiences of ethnicities within and in dialogue with Lusophone and Hispanic nation states as well as to the development of diasporic Portuguese and Spanish-speaking communities around the world. More about our learning goals.
Student Opportunities
Schools Abroad in Spain
As juniors, most Spanish students go to the Middlebury School Abroad in Spain (sites in Córdoba, Getafe, Logroño, Madrid),
Schools Abroad in Latin America
or one of Schools Abroad in Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, Brazil), or to another approved program in Latin America, Europe, or Africa, where they are able to put their linguistic and cultural skills to practical use.
Independent Research
Upon return from study abroad, majors are expected to engage in independent research through work in a senior seminar, on a senior tutorial, or on an honors thesis in order to synthesize their knowledge acquired in the classroom and their experiences abroad.
Scenes from Luso-Hispanic Studies!
Our Alumni
Our graduates have been highly successful in pursuing careers not only in secondary education and in the humanities, but in the nonprofit, business, law, medical, and governmental sectors as well. These are just a few of the ways our graduates have applied their skills to a career:
- Embassy of Spain, Translator
- Converse Inc., Latin American Business Development Manager
- Staples, VP, Business Ethics
- Cobb County Schools, ESOL/Foreign Languages Programs Specialist
- New York Mets, Vice President, Metropolitan Hospitality
- Google, Sr. Associate/Global Communications and Public Affairs
- ESSEC Business School, Coordinator for International Partnerships
- Revel Creative Group/Latina Creative Agency, Cofounder and Creative Director
- U.S. State Department, Foreign Service Officer-Europe/South Central Europe
- The World Bank, Sr. Country Officer-Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela
- CNN, Correspondent
- Inter-American Foundation, Foundation Representative-Honduras
- Universidad de San Andres, Director/Foreign Studies Office
- Lion Tree, President European Operations
- Waters International Enterprises, CEO
- JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sr. Vice President and Multicultural Segments Director
- Inter-American Foundation, Foundation Representative-Honduras
- Septodont, Director of Sales-Latin America