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| A new Iberian
Studies major will enable students to focus primarily on Iberia, mainly
Spain, but includes Portugal and former colonies. |
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| Posted 07.28.06 |
Iberian Studies Major Unveiled this Fall
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Iberian studies will be introduced as a new
major by the Spanish section of the Romance Languages and Literatures
Department this fall.
The major is designed for students interested in studying the literature,
history, culture and society of the Iberian peninsula. The new major will
complement the current Spanish major, which provides students with a broad
knowledge of the Spanish-language literatures of Spain and Latin America.
"Over the years students have repeatedly expressed an interest in a Spanish
major that would allow them to study Spain in depth," says Michael
Armstrong-Roche, associate professor of Romance Languages and Literatures
and head of the Spanish section.
Iberian studies will enable students to focus primarily on Iberia, mainly
Spain, but includes Portugal and former colonies.
Lynn Cartwright-Punnett ‘07, was happy to switch from her double major in
Spanish and History to Iberian Studies and History this past spring.
"The Spanish major did a great job of integrating aspects of Spanish
culture, but Spanish, as a major, also deals with Latin America, which I am
less interested in,” says Cartwright-Punnett “Iberian Studies gives me more
flexibility and relates more directly to my varied interests than purely
literature based major would."
Incoming Wesleyan sophomore Bryan Jones also plans on majoring in Iberian
studies, primarily in order to master the Catalan language of the Iberian
Peninsula.
"While visiting friends in Barcelona, I was intrigued by the Catalan
language and culture, and have since obtained the desire to master that
language as well as Spanish," says Jones. "Clearly, the Iberian Studies
major allows me to do so, as well as looks into the numerous
regions of Iberia, where the culture and language are as rich, profound, and
intriguing."
Armstrong-Roche says that Iberian studies majors such as Cartwright-Punnett
and Jones may count up to four courses taken outside the Spanish section in
English or Spanish.
"The requirements permit students to earn major credit for coursework on
Iberia offered on campus outside the Spanish section, in the History
Department, for instance, along with coursework on Iberia in fields other
than literature offered by approved study abroad programs such as our own
program in Madrid," says Armstrong-Roche.
Iberian studies majors must qualify for the major with a grade of B- or
better in Spanish 221 or the equivalent. Spanish 221 is not required but may
be counted towards the major. Students are expected to maintain at least a
B- average in the major program and are required to do a minimum of five of
their nine required courses in Spanish literature with faculty from the
Spanish section of Wesleyan's Romance Languages and Literatures Department.
Armstrong-Roche says the Iberian studies major may interest students who
want to pursue graduate work focused on Spain or other professional options
that involve Spanish companies or international organizations.
Cartwright-Punnett plans on turning her thesis about sites of memory from
the Spanish Civil War into a tourist guide book about the history of the war
and to teach high school, where she can use her European History and Spanish
background.
Jones is interested in working in Spain's Catalonia region or in the U.S.
teaching at a secondary school or hopes to land a job in international
relations, either within a business or the government.
For more information about the Iberian studies major, please contact Michael
Armstrong-Roche at 860-685-3128, e-mail marmstrong@wesleyan.edu or visit
http://www.wesleyan.edu/registrar/catalog/rlant.htm#Spanish. |
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| By Laura Perillo, associate
director of Media Relations |
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