Courses

Students of Hispanic Studies will find a diverse set of courses at all levels.

We offer Spanish language courses from the beginning through advanced levels. As you gain understanding of the language, we will introduce you to the literature and cultures of Spanish-speaking people through a wide variety of courses.

Most of our courses are taught in Spanish, but we do teach several in English. Non-Hispanic Studies majors may find that these courses can enhance their other coursework. This is especially true of Latin American, history, film and media studies, and European studies majors.

What to Expect

What type of readings are involved in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. articles, textbook) How much reading should a student expect to do per week?  

HISP courses are generally divided into two broad categories: Language Instruction courses and Hispanic Cultural Studies courses. For HISP Cultural Studies courses, readings are typically a mix of different forms of cultural production including poems, song lyrics, novels, short stories, and articles from academic journals. Novels are typically assigned over two-four class sessions depending on the length of the novel. Some courses also include films which tend to be readily available via streaming services. In general students are expected to read between 30 and 100 pages for each session and will often pair a critical reading along with a piece of cultural production.  All courses are taught in the target language of Spanish unless otherwise noted. Language courses at this level typically require no reading homework but do require students to read the textbook to review vocabulary and grammar (10-15 pages per week). Additionally, there are daily homework assignments to be completed on the homework platform. These are submitted and graded directly on the platform. 

What sorts of assignments should a student expect in first-and-second-year courses? (e.g. quizzes, group projects, presentations) 

HISP courses in the first and second years can vary significantly. COLL 150 will be intensive writing with approximately 24 pages of total writing spread throughout the semester. COLL 100 will be focused on other forms of argument including assignments like podcasts, video essays, creative projects along with response papers. HISP courses numbered between 207-290 (all of which are open to first-and-second-year students who possess the requisite language competencies) will feature similar assignments but might also include oral presentations (individual and group) film reviews, article abstracts, essays of 4-6 pages in length and, sometimes, longer essays of 6-8 pages. Some courses will also require midterm and/or final exams. 

Beyond the required course texts, are there other course materials a student should be prepared to purchase for first-and-second-year courses? 

Occasionally students are asked to watch films on a streaming service that may require a subscription. 

Is there anything else that is important for first-and-second-year students to know and/or expect from their courses? 

HISP courses are widely recognized for their focus on strong professor/student interactions. HISP faculty make themselves available to HISP students and are often asked to participate in honors thesis projects but also independent research projects. Because of the stated goal to increase linguistic fluency, HISP courses also emphasize community building and peer to peer interactions. They are, in this way, an excellent way to make W&M feel like a more friendly, more personable, place. 

More information:

• Placement guidelines. Which class is best for you?
• Undergraduate Catalog Course Listing for Hispanic Studies
• Use the Dynamic Schedule or Open Course List to see which courses will be taught in upcoming semesters
• First Semester Course Guide by Major