Spanish

Studying Spanish opens doors. It is spoken by 500 million people in the world, of which 40 million live here in the United States. It is the language of everyday people in all walks of life, but it is also the language of great cultural achievements such as those of Miguel de Cervantes, Gabriel García Márquez, Frida Kahlo, and Pablo Picasso.

Our students study the world through language, culture, literature, and international travel while gaining proficiency in Spanish through four basic skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The Spanish major explores language acquisition and the language’s global cultural influences, including Spanish-language literature, art, and customs. Distinctive features of the Modern Languages curriculum at Westminster College include a senior Capstone project, required study abroad, and innovative courses, two of which were developed with the assistance of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education.

There are various opportunities to practice Spanish through travel and experiential learning. For example, our students have traveled to the Dominican Republic to work with doctors and educators alongside Westminster faculty members. Also, the Clemens Scholarship and other funding opportunities are available annually to deserving Spanish students at Westminster College.

In addition to the Spanish major, structured interdisciplinary majors in Intercultural Studies and International Business combine language study with other disciplines.