The Spanish Department strives to prepare students to participate actively in today’s global world, where Spanish is a major language spoken by over 500 million speakers worldwide. Our program is designed to dually meet the needs of students who are learning Spanish as a second language as well as those students who are bilingual heritage learners.
The language program fosters communicative, proficiency-oriented learning while also providing students with ample opportunities to better understand the diversity of cultures that make up the Spanish-speaking world. Our flexible curriculum for majors and minors draws on rich, interdisciplinary approaches that allow students to explore and engage in the study of literature, linguistics, film and cultural studies across historical periods and across areas of the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain, Latin America, the Caribbean and Latin communities in the U.S.
Students acquire the ability to analyze cultural productions within their specific sociopolitical and historical contexts while also employing critical perspectives that take into account broader frameworks, including class, race, gender, sexuality and power relations. Many of our students refine their linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness by engaging in a period of study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Upon graduation, students majoring in Spanish are able to apply their language skills and cultural knowledge across a range of professions in the U.S. and abroad where multilingual and transcultural competence are in high demand.
Latest News
Two Drew University Students Named Rising Stars by N.J. Business & Industry Association
Chekwube Okunowo C’24 and Kareena Salvi C’23 recognized for their passion, dedication
Elaina Cuffy C’20, G’22 On Life At, After Drew University
“The people and the environment at Drew have played a big part in my journey into adulthood. Drew is the perfect school for students looking to be surrounded by faculty and friends who have their best interest at heart.”
Rage Hezekiah C’06 Takes on Writing After Exploring Her Passions at Drew University
“I felt empowered to explore my passions and find agency in my education.”
Where They’re Going: Fernando Cardoza Ochoa C’22
“My mentors and bosses have guided me through my undergraduate career, applying to programs during the summers, developing successful events for the Drew community, and enhancing my network.”
Where They’re Going: Daniel Viera C’22
“From originally starting my collegiate career as an intended biology major, I was able to explore my options…and eventually reached a decision to pursue the arts through my photography post-undergrad.”
Where They’re Going: Alyssa Sileo C’22
“I had the freedom to focus on the topics and issues that matter to me.”
Spanish Tutoring
Support is available for free one-on-one or group tutoring sessions through the Drew Center for Academic Excellence, located in the Vivian A. Bull Academic Commons of the Drew Library. From conducting grammar reviews to holding open conversation practice, experienced tutors are trained and prepared to help students in all levels of Spanish.
Library Resources
Students should avail themselves of the different resources of the Drew Library, where experienced staff are prepared to help students with information literacy skills as well with the collections and services of the Drew libraries.
Reference librarians work with students as they embark on different aspects of research, including finding and using appropriate resources and offering personalized support.
The reference librarian assigned to Spanish majors and minors is Jody Caldwell. To make an appointment with Jody, please contact: jcaldwel@drew.edu, or call 973-408-3481.
