Spanish Language and Transcultural Studies

This major will enable you to write, speak, think, enjoy literature and film, and solve real-world problems in Spanish—at a high level. You’ll be ready to use your new knowledge and skills in an amazing range of professional settings.

Master a language that will open doors for you

In small classes, you’ll work side-by-side with talented and caring faculty. You’ll study the language and culture of the fascinating countries of Spanish-speaking Latin America and of the peoples of Spain. You’ll survey Spanish literature and film, and study the social movements and outstanding achievements of the U.S. Latine, and of key figures in Latin American and Spanish history. If you are a heritage speaker of Spanish, you can build on and amplify the skills you bring to the classroom with a curriculum designed to meet your specific experience. You’ll enjoy opportunities for specialized study in the subtleties of Spanish in the corporate world, the health professions, or both. The advanced language skills you’ll develop will enable you to stand out from the crowd and enter the job market exceptionally prepared for professional success. Students seeking to teach Spanish can complete our Spanish and Intercultural Studies major alongside our secondary and K-12 education major.

Students also have the opportunity to expand their horizons by minoring Translation and Interpretation or Latinx/Latin American Studies.These minors will give them the skills they need to excel in a career that require a strong understanding of more than one language and culture. Students will be prepared to enter a variety of fields and obtain certification from a variety of professional agencies.

More ways to learn—on campus and way beyond

Practical experience is built into the Spanish curriculum. Our internships draw on Chicago’s extensive cultural and corporate resources. We make our connections your connections, so you can test-drive your dream job in the real world. You can combine academic study with compassionate service and accompaniment to people in underserved communities, or complete your own, hands-on research or creative projects in close collaboration with faculty. We encourage you especially to take full advantage of Dominican’s outstanding study abroad program. Back in 1925, we were the second campus in the country to start an academic program overseas. Today, you can choose from among programs on four continents. Dominican offers study abroad programs in:

• Cordoba, Spain, home of the al-Andalus, a historic interfaith community that will give you a rich understanding of the intercultural opportunities and challenges in today’s world.
• Guatemala, the historic core of the Maya civilization and the largest nation in Central America, a republic with a fascinating social, political, cultural, economic and religious life.
• Salamanca, Spain, a center of stunning Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and the home of the prestigious University of Salamanca, founded in 1218.
• Cuba, most known for its enchanting countryside and colonial cities, students will learn the history of the country’s pre and post-colonial history in accordance with political and economic systems and cultural aspects of Cuban life.