An understanding of Spanish is essential in this country today, not only to maintain and improve our cultural and economic ties with the 20 countries in which Spanish is the official language, but also to learn about and appreciate the culture of over 50 million Hispanics residing in the United States. The Spanish/Hispanic Studies program offers a broad and diverse experience in the language, literature, and culture of Spanish-speaking people. Students may elect courses that explore various social, political, literary, cultural, and linguistic topics. Our proficiency-oriented approach is supported by multimedia/technology to provide opportunities for original-language practice in context. This is often enhanced by experiential learning activities. A period of study in a Spanish-speaking country is highly encouraged.