Hispanic Studies


315-859-4777
315-859-4687 (fax)

Hispanic Studies

The goal of Hamilton's Hispanic Studies Department is to foster an appreciation for the heritage and culture of Spanish-speaking peoples, and to help students reach a proficiency in the Spanish language crucial to a mature understanding of Spain and Latin America, past and present.

Overview

Do you think of Spanish as a "foreign" language? Reconsider. It was the first spoken European language in the Americas, preceding English across most of the South, Midwest and West of the United States. Hundreds of cities and many states bear the imprint of Hispanic culture in their very names as well as their populations, from Florida to Montana and Colorado, from Miami to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Spanish is the first language of more than 30 million U.S. residents — making the United States the world’s third most populous Hispanic nation after Mexico and Spain. More ...

Academic Program

Study Abroad Opportunities

Research takes a variety of forms in Hispanic studies, from laboratory work in language proficiency to literary scholarship in Hamilton's extensive Burke Library holdings to field work in Latino communities. Certainly one of the most important research fronts, however, is the Hamilton's Academic Year in Spain program. Established in 1974 to provide the highest academic standards — small classes, distinguished professors and total immersion in Spanish life and language — the Madrid-based program provides an intellectual, cultural and social experience that cannot be duplicated in any classroom.


The Senior Program

The Senior Program serves as an integrating, culminating experience in which Hispanic studies majors bring the knowledge, skills and research experience of the first three college years to an in-depth research project. Each student works closely with at least one faculty member during the project. More ...


RESOURCES

The Hispanic Studies Department offers an ongoing series of lectures, films and presentations. It also supports La Mesa de Español, where students and faculty members meet weekly for lunch and conversation in Spanish. Students in the program direct Club Español, which organizes cultural activities related to Spanish and Latin American cultures, and La Vanguardia, for students of Latino background. The department and the College provide computer facilities, a modern language laboratory, an audiovisual center and a recording studio for student use.