Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures

In the USC Dornsife Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures, we believe that the study of other languages is essential for the twenty-first-century global citizen. Immersion in another language fundamentally shapes the way one thinks. From the first day students begin to study Spanish they are “studying culture.” As a result, we teach culture in our language courses and continue to build language skills throughout the undergraduate curriculum.

Why learn Spanish and Portuguese? Why major or minor in Spanish at USC?

Connect with more than 400 million speakers of Spanish worldwide, including almost 40 million in the United States. Capitalize on the growing importance of Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking areas of the world economy. Immerse yourself in some of the world’s most exciting cultural hubs, such as Madrid, Granada, and Santander (Spain), Habana (Cuba), Mexico City and Oaxaca (Mexico), Salvador and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Cusco (Peru), all cities where we have summer, Maymester, or Julymester programs.

Expand your professional skills with linguistic and cultural proficiencies and the ability to think critically about global problems and opportunities. Experience the intellectual challenge of linguistic and literary theories, and the workings of literature and film from Cervantes and Sor Juana to Borges and Almodóvar.

And where better to study the realms of Spanish and Portuguese than in Los Angeles, one of the largest Spanish-speaking cities in the world and, arguably, one of the capitals of Latin American culture?