The Spanish major program underpinning those core branches of study has the following components: all portions of the programs emphasize continued development of the student's language skills to an advanced level. Within that context, one group of courses introduces students to the art and technique of literary analysis, familiarizing them at the same time with the great literary figures and works associated with their language of study; and a second immerses students in cultural studies both historical and contemporary, geared to acquaint them with the rich intellectual and aesthetic traditions which the Spanish language has generated at home, and overseas.