On Friday February 28th 2020, the Sub-Faculties of Spanish and Portuguese will be celebrating fifty years since the creation, in 1969, of what was initially a single joint Sub-Faculty. Both Spanish and Portuguese have grown rapidly since this establishment solidified their place in the study of Medieval and Modern Languages within the Humanities at Oxford. The huge interest in Hispanic and Lusophone cultures shows no sign of abating and what are now two separately-constituted Sub-Faculties are at the forefront of research and teaching in their disciplines.
The celebration will consist of short talks from past and present members and students, exhibitions, and other activities, and will end with a wine reception in the Taylorian. All former students of Spanish and/or Portuguese will be welcome to celebrate with us.
As part of the festivities, the Sub-Faculties would like to hear from alumni who might contribute memories of their time in Oxford either before or after 1990, when the Sub-Faculties separated. We intend to produce a film of past students looking back at their studies and explaining how these did (or didn’t) contribute to their subsequent careers. Please contact Sarah Davidson (office.manager@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk) to take part. We would love to hear your stories.
Jonathan Thacker and Phillip Rothwell
Jonathan Thacker is King Alfonso XIII Professor of Spanish Studies and Fellow of Exeter College
Phillip Rothwell is King John II Professor of Portuguese and Fellow of St Peter’s College