The study of foreign languages develops students’ understanding of themselves as world citizens and an appreciation for the world through the study of languages and literatures, linguistics and cultural phenomena. The Spanish major and minor develop skills needed to communicate with native speakers of Spanish, learn critical and theoretical approaches to texts and build cross-cultural perspectives from which to evaluate global issues.

Given the evolving nature of the modern languages, instruction at the College stresses oral communication, while using reading and writing to reinforce general language proficiency.

Ripon College offers majors in foreign languages and in Spanish; and minors in Classical Studies; Ancient, Renaissance and Medieval Studies; Francophone studies; French; and Spanish.

Latest News

Timothy Reed

Professor of Spanish Timothy Reed publishes new journal article

An article by Professor of Spanish Timothy Reed is published in the spring issue of Hispanic Journal. “Garden Imagery, Hauntology, and the Semiotic in Adelaida […]

Timothy Reed

Timothy Reed publishes article in The Coastal Review

A peer-reviewed article by Professor of Spanish Timothy Reed was published in The Coastal Review. “Hauntology and Epistemology in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth and […]

Geoff Guevara-Geer

Geoff Guevara-Geer publishes article in journal Chasqui

Geoff Guevara-Geer, associate professor of Spanish, had an article published in the November 2021 issue of the journal Chasqui, meaning an Inca messenger, in Volume […]

Faculty

Geoff Guevara-Geer

Guevara-Geer, Geoff

Associate Professor of Spanish, Chair of Foreign Languages and Cultures Department

Timothy Reed

Reed, Timothy

Professor of Spanish

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.

Advising at Ripon

Requirements

Requirements for a major in Spanish: 36 credits in coursework beyond the 100-levels including SPA 280, LIN 332, one survey course (SPA 321, 322, 331 or 332) and a 500-level seminar with a capstone project. Spanish majors also should consider taking courses in anthropology, art history, history, Latin American studies, literary theory, and politics and government.

Career Tracks

Foreign language study can lead to careers in a variety of areas, including government, industry and commerce, travel and tourism, interpretation/translation, service, education, arts, media and entertainment. Some students go on to complete graduate work in languages, while others pursue professions in communications, business, international relations, medicine, nonprofit management, public health, public policy and theology.

Unique Opportunities

  • Teaching certification in Spanish in early childhood/adolescence (birth-grade 12) is available through the Department of Educational Studies.