Hispanic Studies - Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
The knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic culture is essential to living and working not only internationally, but in the U.S. as well.
Home / Academics / World Languages / Hispanic Studies Hispanic Studies Hispanic studies offers an exploration of the language, cultures, and histories of the vast regions of the world where Spanish is spoken, through the study of literature, film, and other forms of cultural expressions. You will combine advanced linguistic instruction with cultural and historical perspectives, preparing you for a wide range of professional and academic careers. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Degree in Hispanic Studies? Spanish is the primary language for around 34 million people in the United States alone. Combine this fact with our proximity to and shared interests with Spanish-speaking Latin America and it’s easy to see why you need a knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic culture to thrive in the modern world. By earning a degree in Hispanic studies, you will also become immersed in one of the oldest and richest of the Romance languages and in a culture with roots deep in antiquity. Apply Visit What You’ll Study We offer a major and minor in Hispanic studies through the Department of World Languages and Literatures . Our interdisciplinary program offers classes on language, culture, film, and literature on topics like science fiction, theatre, music, poetry, and social activism. Coursework includes speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Spanish, as well as the study of a broad spectrum of cultural analysis, from pre-Columbian Mesoamerican to contemporary Latinx culture in the U.S. Many of our students earn course credit on overseas programs. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are nine programs with a Spanish language focus: Chile, Santiago and Valparaíso Havana, Cuba Cuenca, Ecuador Santiago, Dominican Republic Mérida, Mexico, health studies and general Spain, Granada and Seville Outside the classroom, the Keck Interactive Learning Center is a language center and community area that is packed with linguistic and cultural resources. The Global Languages and Cultures Living-Learning Community is a unique on-campus housing option with an immersive language-based focus. Our language assistant is a visiting Fulbright scholar who teaches conversation courses and offers tutoring support. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
ELI 349 Innovation At Work: Internship and Seminar with Chrys Hutchings
This class completely shifted my perspective on what a college course can achieve and showed me how powerful a dedicated support system can be for professional development. I had previously attended classic lecture-style classes almost exclusively, and while I am grateful to have had engaging professors, I never expected such a change of pace; from day one, it was totally hands-on.
The course was about viticulture and oenology, and it covered a lot of fascinating topics in viticulture and oenology. Because wine making culture is very common throughout the globe, I realized how wine is not merely a beverage but functions as a versatile analytical tool to explore the countries and regions I visit through the cultural, historical, and geographical perspectives.
We covered so much in one semester, but the content was genuinely fascinating and each new unit built on the last to show how interconnected earth systems are.
Comparative Rhetoric (RHMS 315) with Kundai Chirindo
This class pushed me to not just accept things the way they are, but to question why they are that way and how, if needed, we can change them. Honestly, if you love a good debate and intellectual argument, or just want to challenge Plato and the Greeks, this class with Kundai is for you!
Latinoamérica y España: de la ilustración a la edad moderna with Associate Professor Freddy Vilches
His teachings about literary movements rebelling against oppressive regimes or social norms from the 18th century to present have allowed me to contextualize the diverse array of Latin American identities within social, political, and historical contexts. His emphasis on the works of historically marginalized voices across Latin America and Spain are truly an asset in creating a classroom culture of inclusivity, critical thinking, and discussion-based learning.
Immigration and Asylum Law with Professor Elliott Young
We not only learned about the history that has contextualized the current immigration and asylum legislation, but we also learned about real asylum cases and worked to write expert witness statements about those cases throughout the semester.
Environmental Law and Policy with Hannah Goldblatt
In general, I enjoy learning about the topic and I’m looking to apply to Lewis & Clark Law School after finishing my undergraduate. Hannah was also a wonderful professor and connected us with many outside resources and brought in weekly guest speakers to show us how environmental law is being put into action in our own community in Portland. I also enjoyed our final moot court assignment in this class where we had to give an oral argument on a real life environmental law case in front of the class.
The course introduces students to immigration and asylum law system in the United States. I worked with another student, in partnership with a real-world and active asylum case, to help contribute expert witness testimony on country conditions. The course solidified my interest in law or immigration advocacy, which I am currently planning on pursuing post-grad.
Minor: Latin American and Latino Studies; Hispanic Studies (double)
Favorite Class
Digital Media with Professor Dann Disciglio.
Digital Media taught me that art in general does not have a definition. We learn that art expresses and evokes is in part ineffable, we find it difficult to define and delineate it. Also, how AI has evolved and developed nowadays in our society. It changed my perspective of what art truly is.
Medicine, Culture and Healing by Assistant Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
I really enjoyed how this course gave me an insight into the medical realm from a social science perspective, and introduced me to medical anthropology as a field of study. This course was an excellent introduction into conducting rich and raw ethnographic research, and was just the beginning of my journey into sociology and anthropology.
Spanish Literature in Translation with Associate Professor Matthieu Raillard
The topic of the class was Argentine authors, focusing on short stories by Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, and Luisa Valenzuela. It taught me to think in such a different way about literature, thought, and the world around us. Borges is now one of my favorite authors, and I am always telling people about the magic of Borges and this class.
Biology 201 with Visiting Assistant Professor Emma Wear
This is an introductory biology class that focuses on larger scale environmental patterns. I like this class because it explains a lot of natural phenomenons that we see in the outdoors all the time.
Complement Your Education With One of These Minors The most popular minors for our Hispanic studies majors are economics , ethnic studies , and Latin American and Latino studies . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I knew once I stepped foot on campus I wanted to get involved, make an impact, and do something good for this school! Carolina Ruíz BA ’22 Hispanic Studies | Grants Pass, Oregon More about Carolina In Hispanic studies, I was able to experience the development of the Spanish language over time. In biochemistry and molecular biology, I was energized by the tangible connections between scientific mechanisms and health outcomes, which helped to confirm my desire to pursue academic medicine. McKenna Finley BA ’23 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Hispanic Studies (double) | Portland, Oregon More about McKenna I love how interdisciplinary my Hispanic studies major is because I’ve gotten to take courses from different departments like history and music, and I got to study abroad in Spain! Jenn Sosa Ramírez BA ’23 Hispanic Studies | Mathematics | Richmond, California More about Jenn What Can You Do With a Degree in Spanish? Our alumni use their BA in Hispanic studies in a variety of endeavors. In addition to receiving Fulbright and other grants to teach English or do research in Spanish-speaking countries, our students pursue careers in teaching, law, academia, public health, cultural exchange, media, and other fields. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors Although we also strive to give direction and a future career to our students, our main goal is to create better human beings who, instead of compartmentalizing the world into fields of study, understand that each field is a door to see better, connect the dots of knowledge, and understand the world as a whole. Professor of Hispanic Studies Juan Carlos Toledano Redondo More about Juan Carlos I absolutely love how connected L&C students are—to each other, to our campus community, to their own communities, to their professors, to their fields of study, and to their personal passions and interests. Associate Professor of Hispanic Studies Magalí Rabasa More about Magalí 125 of our undergraduate students are Third Culture Kids. Equity We are the only liberal arts school in Oregon on Colleges of Distinction’s “Best Equity and Inclusion” list for 2025–26. 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 12:1 Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. 12% of our students are from countries other than the U.S. Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition. Find Your People The student-led Spanish Club organizes activities like salsa lessons, movie nights, and attending local performances and events in Spanish. One of the oldest journals at L&C, Polyglot gives the opportunity to students of all levels to publish their work in Spanish. Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You After graduating in 2021, I spent a year serving with AmeriCorps VISTA at a local mental health and addiction recovery nonprofit, working on capacity-building projects that support low-income communities in Portland Chloe Safar BA ’21 International Affairs and Hispanic Studies More about Chloe Lewis & Clark gave me the stepping stones needed to forge a path toward becoming a physician-scientist. McKenna Finley BA ’23 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Hispanic Studies (double) | Portland, Oregon More about McKenna I started looking for opportunities in the nonprofit sector and found an internship with Blanchet House of Hospitality, which serves the houseless community in Downtown Portland. Etta Moen BA ’21 International Affairs and Hispanic Studies More about Etta Featured News Bringing Latinx Culture to Portland’s Coffee Scene Carlos Sanchez Huizar BA ’18, MA ’20 has turned his love of coffee and his experience at Lewis & Clark into Kilo D’ Cofi, a Latinx-owned café and community space in downtown Portland. Read the story More News and Events → Freddy Vilches Professor of Hispanic Studies, Section Head Hispanic Studies vilches@lclark.edu 503-768-7431 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
