About Hispanic Studies

Language competence, global perspective and understanding of Hispanic world culture.

Why study Spanish or Portuguese at the College of Charleston?

A major or minor in Spanish is more than conjugating verbs, it’s the ability to become linguistically savvy and culturally competent, 21st century skills that an app on your phone can’t reproduce and AI can’t imitate.

You’ve probably heard that Artificial Intelligence will make learning other languages obsolete. As good as those models may be now, there is still no comparison with understanding and speaking the language yourself.

Did you know that learning a second language helps you to be more successful in other classes? Or that bilingual brains have more gray matter than monolingual brains? Language learning teaches you a valuable skill that will help you land a great job – just ask our graduates! – but it also makes you smarter and more understanding of the world around you. Our program helps you build a better career and a better you!

  • Build fluency in a second or third language
  • Learn how language works 
  • Improve communication in your first language
  • Understand the cultures of the Hispanic and Lusophone world

Across communities and in every sector of the economy we need people who can speak Spanish and Portuguese.

That’s why our classes are about more than fulfilling a requirement, they put you in a position to earn up to 20% more in your post-graduate career.

It’s not all about money, there is a world of people, literature, film, poetry, art, and philosophy waiting for you on the other side of fluency. It’s a world that will help you expand your own horizons and connect you with people across the globe and at home in your own community.  

Studying Spanish is more than learning a vocabulary, it’s the ability to connect with más people across the world linguistically and culturally.

 

Mission & Vision

 

Mission Statement 

The Department of Hispanic Studies prepares students to become thoughtful, capable, and globally engaged scholar-citizens in an interconnected, multilingual world through the study of Spanish and Portuguese languages, linguistics, literatures, and cultures.  

Vision Statement 

Students develop intellectual curiosity, critical reasoning, and creative thinking, ethical judgment, empathy, language, and intercultural proficiency. 

Through experiential learning opportunities, community engagement, internships, and study abroad in Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean, students learn to apply knowledge across cultural and professional contexts. Our programs of study empower students to excel in their professions, contribute responsibly to their communities, and enrich society.  

What The Department of Hispanic Studies (HISP) Offers 

  • A transformative liberal arts education: Our department fosters intellectual curiosity and teaches students to analyze, create, and communicate knowledge from multiple perspectives by combining the enduring strengths of the liberal arts with innovative teaching and experiential learning in languages, linguistics, literatures, and cultural studies,  
  • Career readiness in a multilingual world: Spanish and Portuguese provide a valuable professional advantage in healthcare, business, government, education, international relations, communication, law, public service, and many other fields. 
  • A powerful combination with any major: Whether as a stand-alone major or as part of a double major, our programs in Hispanic Studies strengthen preparation for careers and graduate study across the sciences, humanities, social sciences, business, education, and beyond. 
  • Real-world experience: Internships, service learning, applied coursework, mentorship, and community partnerships enable students to use their linguistic and intercultural abilities beyond the classroom. Faculty-led programs in Spain and Latin America emphasize meaningful engagement with local communities through homestays and cultural immersion while earning academic credits tailored to the experience.  
  • A commitment to the public mission: Students use their education to engage responsibly with regional, national, and international Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking populations, industries, and partners. Students are equipped to respond to the emerging needs and opportunities in local communities and beyond. 

Employment Opportunities: Hispanic Studies

Hispanic Studies continually seeks dynamic and dedicated adjunct professors of Spanish to join our faculty team.

Minimal requirements: 18 hours of completed graduate coursework in Spanish.

If you would like to be considered for future teaching opportunities, please email your CV to Susan Divine, Chair of Hispanic Studies.

Contact the Hispanic Studies Chair