Apr 17, 2026  
[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2026-2027 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Course Search
  Course Attributes and Suffixes
  Courses Appropriate for New Students
  About Oberlin
  >> Admission
  >> Expenses
  >> Financial Aid
  >> Academic Policies
  >> Academic Opportunities
  >> Student Affairs
  >> Facilities
  About the College of Arts and Sciences
  >> College Departments
  About the Conservatory of Music
  >> Conservatory Divisions
  >> Conservatory Grids
  New for 2026-27
  Multi-Year Academic Calendar
  My Portfolio
HELP
[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2026-2027

Hispanic Studies Major

The major consists of a minimum of 9.5 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

arrow View the catalog page for the Hispanic studies department.  

Participation in the Hispanic studies program at Oberlin opens up a wide spectrum of personal and professional opportunities. Many students majoring in Hispanic studies pursue a double major or a major/minor combination with Latin American studies, classics, other modern languages, sociology, anthropology, comparative literature, art history, history, comparative American studies, or politics. Recent graduates have gone on to graduate school and found jobs in a broad range of fields from journalism to social work, medicine, law, public health, and education.

Summary of Requirements

Note(s) on Requirements

Transfer of Credit Toward the Major

The Hispanic studies department will accept up to the equivalent of three full courses of transfer credit to count toward the Hispanic studies major requirements. Two types of approval are needed. (1) Approval from the Office of the Registrar that the transfer course meets Oberlin’s transfer-of-credit eligibility standards and (2) approval from the department/program chair that the course(s) may count to the major. Current students taking post-matriculation credit must secure this approval before registering for course(s). Students who enter Oberlin as transfer students will have their pre-matriculation credit evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for elective credit, and they can later seek approval from the department/program for applying coursework to major requirements.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

AP/IB transfer credit received for HISP 300 counts toward the major as a Spanish-taught Hispanic studies course, and does not count toward the three-full-course transfer of credit limit.

Study Away

All Hispanic studies majors are strongly encouraged to spend at least one semester in a Spanish-speaking country. Students interested in studying away should consult their major advisor about opportunities to transfer credit from such an experience toward the major.

Detailed Major Requirements

Hispanic Studies Major Course Lists

300-Level Spanish-Taught Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

400-Level Spanish-Taught Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

400-Level Hispanic Studies or Related-Field Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Notes:

  • The required 400-level Hispanic studies or related-field course may be taught in Spanish or English.
  • The required 400-level Hispanic studies or related-field course must be taken at Oberlin.

Spanish-Taught Hispanic Studies Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

English-Taught Related Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

Note: A maximum of two English-taught related courses may apply (which include 400-level related-field courses taught in English).

Capstone Requirement

Return to the summary of requirements.

Students who major in Hispanic studies will enroll in HISP 501 . As part of this class, which is a 2-credit course meeting once per week for a 2-hour period, students will prepare a portfolio reflecting on their experience as majors in our department; write a critical review essay (2,500-3,000 words, approximately 10-12 pages) based on a selection of books that are central to their area of study within Hispanic studies; and prepare a 10-minute oral presentation based on the review essay, to be given at the end of the semester.

In consultation with their Hispanic studies advisor, students may request permission to base their capstone work on a course taught outside of the Hispanic studies department. An honors project in Hispanic studies (HISP 505H , HISP 505F ) automatically fulfills the capstone requirement.