The Major and Certificate

Whether you declare a major or certificate in Spanish, all courses explore the historical and political context of the material and provide both theoretical and cultural frames of reference for study, giving you the opportunity to explore a vast range of disciplines, periods, genres and cultures in the small, student-centered classes for which Williams is known.

Why Study Spanish?

Spanish is one of the most-spoken languages in the world, and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Graduates of the Spanish program have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, art, law and academia, among other fields. Our graduates have gone on to secure prestigious Fulbright teaching and research grants in Latin America and Spain, and many have used their linguistic and cultural training as they pursue careers in fields including law, health care, journalism, labor and community organizing, education, and doctoral degrees in various fields.

Declaring the Major or Certificate

After consulting with the Department, students who wish to declare a Major or Certificate in Spanish should use the forms found on the Registrar’s website. The Spanish Certificate is the last option in the drop-down menu for Concentrations.

Spanish Placement Test

All students who have taken one or more years of Spanish, or have experience with the language in other forms, should take the test to ensure correct placement in classes.

You can self-enroll via Glow here.

Students wishing to enroll in a Spanish class during the upcoming academic year should take the placement test before August 1.

For any questions, please contact the current chair of Romance Languages.

“I took Spanish many years ago but don’t remember much.” YES

“I’ve never studied Spanish, but we speak Spanish at home.” YES

“I took AP Spanish.” YES

“I went to a bilingual school.” YES

“I have never studied Spanish. I do not speak, write, or read it. Do I need to take the test?” NO
NO, the Placement Test is only offered once a year.
YES! That way, we will have your score on file if and when you decide you’re ready to study Spanish.

Featured Courses

View Course Catalog

Elementary Spanish

This course focuses on grammar, elementary composition, practice in conversation, and reading of short, easy prose. It is taught by the intensive oral method.

Advanced Grammar, Composition, Conversation

In this course students will refine their knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary towards further fluency in speaking and writing. The focus of the class is grammar through active engagement with grammar exercises as well as relevant cultural materials.

Introduction to the Analysis of Literature in Spanish

Using a textbook, Aproximaciones al estudio de la literatura hispánica, we will study the fundamentals of genre analysis while reading selected works of prose, poetry, and drama from Latin America and Spain.

Learning Objectives

Upon graduation, Spanish majors should have achieved the following objectives:

Demonstrate advanced proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
Demonstrate the ability to read critically, interpret analytically, speak persuasively, and write coherently about both visual and verbal texts produced in the Spanish-speaking world.
Demonstrate familiarity with methodological approaches in the study of literary and cultural texts, such as close reading, socio-historical contextualization, and literary and cultural theory.
Demonstrate knowledge of literary and cultural traditions, such as major movements, writers, and works of the Spanish-speaking world, focusing on at least one and ideally multiple traditions: Latin American, Spanish and US/Latin@ cultures.
Demonstrate the skills necessary for scholarly research and writing in the Humanities.

In addition, we welcome and encourage the development of skills in linguistics, translation and comparative studies

The Spanish major consists of nine courses above the 101-102 level, including:

103, 104, 105 or any other course taught in Spanish at the 200 level or above.

At least one 200-level course.

The 400-level Senior Seminar—our capstone course—which is a requirement during your senior year.

In addition:

One course must be focused primarily on literature or cultural texts produced prior to 1800.

A maximum of four courses taken at overseas programs may be used to satisfy the requirements of the major, with approval of the department.

The Spanish faculty strongly suggests that students take 201 and 206 at some point in their studies, and especially recommends that they do so before, rather than after, studying abroad.

Students majoring in Spanish may replace one of their Spanish electives with a course taught in English, including courses in related fields such as Comparative Literature, Latin-American Studies, or Latina/o Studies.

For more information, see the course catalogue or contact any member of the department.
The Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture consists of a sequence of seven courses for which the student must earn a cumulative grade average of B or higher.

For students with no prior Spanish background: The course sequence will consist of Spanish 101-102, Spanish 103 and 104, and three courses in Spanish above the 104 level, with at least one of these courses at the 200-level or higher taken at Williams.

For students with some Spanish background: If the student starts out the sequence at Spanish 103, in addition to the three courses in Spanish beyond the 104 level (including a 200-level course or higher), two electives may be taken in other departments. One elective should be in Spanish or Latin-American cultural history (art, literature, drama, music) and the other in Spanish or Latin-American intellectual, political, or social history. Spanish 200, 201, or 208 can be counted for the elective requirement.

Electives may be considered from a variety of departments and programs. However, students should consult with the chair of Romance Languages before making any enrollment decisions.