Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World

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Program Presentation

The Hispanic and Iberophone World, understood here as a multinational space that brings together all the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries and peoples across different continents, constitutes a multinational and cross-cultural space of the highest order, built and shaped over the centuries through the interaction of countries from the Iberian Peninsula —Spain and Portugal— with numerous societies in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Today, this region—also known in academic circles as the Pan-Iberian Space—comprises a multinational group of more than 900 million people and some thirty countries across all continents. It constitutes the world’s largest linguistic bloc, accounting for more than one-tenth of the global population, representing, on a weighted basis, one-fifth of the Earth’s surface. 

The study of the historical, cultural, linguistic, identity-related, and conceptual foundations of this emerging multinational Spanish-speaking space, along with the training of specialists and professionals equipped to address this new reality and its ensuing challenges, has become an unavoidable academic and institutional imperative for the historiographical community in today’s globalized world. The Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World, launched by the FUNIBER Chair of Iberoamerican and Iberophonic Studies—the first of its kind in the international academic sphere—fills this gap.

 

Cátedra FUNIBER de Estudios Iberoamericanos y de la Iberofonía

 

This program takes an essentially historiographical approach, providing students with the tools necessary to properly analyze and interpret debates surrounding the history of the Hispanic and Iberophone World.

General Information

The Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World offers a historiographical approach that provides an in-depth and rigorous examination of fundamental historical, conceptual, cultural, and identity-related aspects of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds, while also addressing their historical impact on the global stage. Throughout the program, students will explore:

  • Theoretical Foundations of History, Geopolitics, and Globalization. This subject is a general framework that provides the necessary conceptual foundations for understanding and analyzing the dynamics of the Hispanic or Iberian world in a globalized context, with a particular focus on the past and present development of multinational communities.
  • General History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World, covering the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds across all continents; from pre-Hispanic times to the present day, covering the Age of Discovery and the first wave of globalization, the Spanish Monarchy and the Spanish and Portuguese Empires, the Contemporary Era, and the formation of today’s sovereign Iberian-speaking nations. 
  • Identity-defining elements of the Pan-Iberian or Iberophone Space, including the conceptual foundations and historical evolution of Pan-Iberian thought, as well as an analysis of the phenomenon of anti-Hispanic propaganda and the Black Legend.

Those who successfully complete the Specialization will be qualified to:

  • Understand the historical and universal dimension of the cross-cultural and multinational community comprising the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries across different continents
  • Analyze the problems and challenges facing the Hispanic and Iberophone world from a historiographical perspective, with a realistic outlook and a comprehensive perspective, offering interpretations grounded in a solid understanding of history.
  • Conduct advanced research aimed at deepening our comprehensive understanding of the Hispanic and Iberophone World in its broadest sense, while contributing—drawing on the historical, cultural, and linguistic heritage of iberophony—in defining and implementing a more just and balanced model of globalization.
Opcional: One week of in-person classes at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico in Santander (Spain) as part of the program.

Who is the programme for?

The Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World is designed for:

  • Scholars and researchers in the fields of historiography, socio-anthropology, and geopolitics who seek to deepen their understanding of the historical foundations of the Hispanic World and the Pan-Iberian or Iberophone intercontinental space, in order to advance their careers and academic trajectories.
  • University Graduates: students with degrees in related fields, such as history, political science, international relations, sociology, or anthropology, interested in specializing in the Hispanic and Iberophone World from a historiographical, socio-anthropological, and geopolitical perspective.
  • Professionals in the fields of humanities, political science, and international relations from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions, or those with ties to these regions: those working in academic, cultural, or institutional settings who seek to deepen their historiographical knowledge and bring greater coherence and substance to their professional careers.
  • Individuals interested in acquiring in-depth academic and historiographical knowledge: individuals, generally with a focus on history, geopolitics, and social anthropology, who wish to gain a solid understanding of an emerging multinational and cross-cultural space with a global reach—the Hispanic World —the Pan-Iberian or Iberophone Space—to contribute to their academic excellence and intellectual development.

Diploma

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive the degree of SPECIALIZATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE HISPANIC AND IBEROPHONE WORLD from the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (Spain).

Program Structure

The credit structure for the Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World program is outlined in the following table. It should be noted that the duration is merely an estimate, as the methodology used integrates the knowledge and skills to be acquired in each section:

  CREDITSa
1st PART: Subjects 44
2nd PART: Final Project 10
TOTAL 54

a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university where the student has enrolled. One (1) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit is equivalent to 10 + 15 hours. If the student is enrolled in a university that does not belong to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relation between credits - hours may vary.

Duration

The Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World is worth 54 credits.

The duration of the Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World is 12 months. During this period, the student must have successfully passed all the corresponding evaluations as well as the Final Project.

Objectives

The Specialization in the History of the Hispanic World and the Iberophone World aims to:

  1. To analyze the historical, cultural, linguistic, and identity-related foundations that shape the Hispanic and Iberophone World as a multinational and civilizational space with a global reach.
  2. To develop a comprehensive historiographical understanding of the evolution of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking worlds from pre-Hispanic times to the present, taking into account their political, social, and cultural processes.
  3. To apply theoretical frameworks from history, geopolitics, and globalization to interpret the historical and contemporary dynamics of the Pan-Iberian region within the international context.
  4. To foster the critical ability to analyze the challenges and issues facing the Hispanic and Iberophone world, based on interpretations grounded in historical knowledge.
  5. To promote specialized academic research focused on the study and in-depth analysis of the Hispanic and Iberophone world, thereby contributing to an understanding of their role in shaping the global order.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World program will be qualified to take on a wide range of roles, such as:

  • Teaching and Academic Research
    Work as a professor or researcher at universities, research centers, or educational institutions in fields such as history, Ibero-American studies, international relations, or cultural studies.
  • Cultural and Heritage Management
    Work in cultural institutions, museums, archives, foundations, or research centers dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the historical and cultural heritage of the Hispanic and Portuguese-speaking worlds.
  • Geopolitical Analysis and Consulting in International Relations
    Collaborate with international organizations, strategic analysis centers, or public and private institutions that require specialists in the Ibero-American or Pan-Iberian region.
  • International Cooperation and Development
    Participate in cultural, educational, or institutional cooperation programs between Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries.
  • Historical and Cultural Consulting
    Provide consulting services for publishing, audiovisual, educational, or institutional projects related to the history, identity, and culture of the Hispanic world.
  • Editing and Producing Academic or Cultural Content
    Work at publishing houses, media outlets, academic journals, or projects focused on historical and cultural outreach.
  • Manage Cultural and Diplomatic Organizations
    Join government agencies, embassies, cultural institutes, or cultural diplomacy programs related to the Ibero-American world.
  • Pursue Graduate Studies
    Serve as a foundation for master’s or doctoral programs in history, Ibero-American studies, geopolitics, cultural studies, or international relations.

Study Plan

The curriculum for the Specialization in the History of the Hispanic and Iberophone World consists of two parts:

1st PART: SUBJECTS

1st PART: SUBJECTS
# SUBJECTS CREDITS
1 History, Geopolitics, and Globalization 6
2 Multinational Communities 6
3 Medieval Hispania and the Pre-Hispanic World Before the Age of Discovery 5
4 The Age of Discovery and The First Globalization 5
5 The Hispanic Monarchy (1580–1668) and the Spanish and Portuguese Global Empires (15th–19th Centuries) 5
6 The Iberian World in the Late Modern Period and Today 5
7 Conceptual Foundations and Historical Evolution of Pan-Iberian Thought 6
8 Anti-Spanish Propaganda and the Black Legend 6
TOTAL 44

2nd PART: FINAL PROJECT

2nd PART: FINAL PROJECT
# SUBJECTS CREDITS
1 Final Project 10
TOTAL 10

Description of the Subjects

1st PART : SUBJECTS

  1. History, Geopolitics, and Globalization

    This subject aims to provide students with a solid grasp of the basic concepts of history, geopolitics, and globalization as essential elements for understanding the international landscape. It also aims to examine key historical factors that provide context for the current position of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries on the international stage, as well as their geopolitical and strategic options, and to develop critical thinking skills. The study of history, geopolitics, and the current process of globalization will help develop critical thinking skills. Using a systematic and rigorous approach, students will learn to evaluate information, conduct accurate analyses, and make informed decisions by studying events and trends in depth.

    • History and its major developments.
    • Geopolitics and geostrategy.
    • Globalization and global integration.
    • Language and culture in shaping today's world.
  2. Multinational Communities

    This subject provides an overview of the various types of multinational communities that have emerged throughout history, identifying the defining characteristics of each specific category. It provides an understanding of the past to understand the present.The study of civilizations, empires, and communities based on historical, cultural, and linguistic factors, with the aim of providing the tools to understand the formation of large multinational regions in general, and in particular, the Iberophone countries of the world, the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions. The student will understand the purpose behind the creation of international organizations as institutions that represent various multinational entities with practical objectives.

    • Civilizations.
    • Empires.
    • International organizations.
    • Communities based on history, culture, and language.
  3. Medieval Hispania and the Pre-Hispanic World Before the Age of Discovery

    This subject provides a broad historical overview of the period preceding the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese in African, American, and Asian territories, which, over the centuries, would come to form the multinational iberophone space. The student will also understand and learn about the processes of formation and expansion of the Hispanic kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula that drove global exploration across different continents, and learn how to evaluate historical sources and identify biases and limitations in order to obtain accurate information and assess it critically.

    • The Iberian peninsula and the formation of the Spanish kingdoms.
    • Pre-Hispanic America.
    • Africa in the 15th century.
    • Asia and Oceania before the first circumnavigation.
  4. The Age of Discovery and THE FIRST Globalization

    This subject provides a broad, comprehensive, and rigorous overview of the process of overseas and intercontinental expansion initiated and carried out by the Spanish and Portuguese beginning in the late Middle Ages. The student will understand the scope of the legal-political concept of universal sovereignty fostered by the Spanish or Iberian (Spanish and Portuguese) expansion throughout the world following the Papal Bulls of 1493 and the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494. they will also identify and understand the historical context, as well as the causes and motives behind the explorations undertaken from Iberian Europe toward Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.

    • The opening onto the Atlantic.
    • The discovery and arrival of Spain in the New World (1492).
    • Spanish expansion into the New World of the Americas and Oceania.
    • Portugal's expansion into Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
  5. The Spanish Monarchy (1580–1668) and the Spanish and Portuguese Global Empires ( 15th–19th centuries)

    This subject provides an overview of and insight into the universal legal and political dimensions, as well as the intercontinental expansion of the Spanish Monarchy during the incorporation of Portugal and its overseas territories into the monarchy. The student will learn about the historical development of the Iberian global empires from their origins through the end of the Early Modern Period, and explore, understand, and contextualize the processes of independence in the American territories that belonged to the Crowns of Spain and Portugal.

    • The Hispanic Monarchy and the Integration of Portugal and Its Territories.
    • Portugal in Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
    • The Spanish Monarchy in the 18th Century.
    • The dissolution of the Iberian Empires on the American continent.
  6. The Iberian World in the LATE Modern period and Today

    This subject provides the tools to learn about and understand the evolution and historical development of Hispanic America and Brazil during the Late Modern Period. Students will learn about the development of the countries of the Iberian Peninsula during the Late Modern Period, as well as their expansion into Africa and Asia—which has given rise to new dimensions of the multinational Iberophone space—and understand the trends in development, modernization, and social change in Latin America, including regional integration processes and their relationship to the broader Iberophone sphere.

    • Latin America and Brazil in the 19th Century.
    • Latin America and Brazil in the 20th Century.
    • Spain and Portugal in the 19th and 20th Centuries: Their Presence in Africa and Asia.
    • The role of the Ibero-speaking world in today's world (from 1975 to the Present).
  7. Conceptual Foundations and Historical Evolution of Pan-Iberian Thought

    This subject provides an understanding of the historical legal and axiological framework underlying Hispanic American and Ibero-American studies, with roots in the School of Salamanca. Students will understand the historical doctrines and schools of thought of Iberism, Hispanidad, Hispano-Americanism, Lusotropicalism, and Ibero-Americanism as trends that help bring Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations closer and foster ties between them. They will also learn and understand the transition from Ibero-Americanism to Pan-Iberism and identify the latter with a Global Iberophone Space.

    • The School of Salamanca and the roots of International Law.
    • Iberism, Hispanic identity, Latin Americanism, and the Hispanic Community of Nations.
    • Luso-Brazilianism, Lusotropicalism, and Hispanotropicalism.
    • From Ibero-Americanism to Pan-Iberianism or Iberophony.
  8. Anti-Spanish Propaganda and the Black Legend

    This subject helps students identify the main factors that led to anti-Spanish propaganda. It explains the various tools and elements that have been used to spread the Black Legend, identify its current effects in Iberophone countries, and explain why it has persisted.

    • The smear campaign and disinformation spread by European nations against Hispanic universalism in the Early Modern Period: origins, strategy, and actors.
    • Key tools and elements of anti-Spanish propaganda.
    • Hispanic action and legacy in comparative perspective.
    • The enduring legacy of the "Black Legend" and its impact today.

2nd PART: FINAL PROJECT

  1. Final Project

    The purpose of the Final Project is for students to conduct research on a topic of their choice, applying research methodologies and producing a written report that contributes to the program’s field of knowledge. The project must follow specific guidelines for its presentation, writing, and bibliography.

    • Selecting the topic and project development.
    • Guidelines to present and write the report.
    • Reviewing the current state of the field and theoretical foundations.

Note: The content of the academic program may be subject to slight modifications depending on updates or improvements made.

Management

Academic Coordination

  • Dr. Frigdiano Álvaro Durántez Prados. (Madrid, 1969). Doctor Europeus and recipient of the Special Doctoral Award in Political Science from the Complutense University of Madrid. He is a pioneer in the contemporary movement of Pan-Iberism or Iberophony, a geopolitical and cooperative theory and movement that advocates for the definition and articulation of a multinational space comprising Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries and peoples across all continents. In 1995, he founded the Spanish Pan-Iberian Iberophony Society. Dr. Álvaro has an extensive academic and professional background. He has served on working groups at the Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies (RIE) and at the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defense (IIEE). He is a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Spain, a full and honorary member of the Academy of Diplomacy, an associate member of the Equatorial Guinean Academy of the Spanish Language, and a professor at the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (Santander, Spain). He is also the director of the FUNIBER Chair of Iberoamerican and Iberophonic Studies. Durántez has served as an advisor in the Directorate General for Foreign Policy on Ibero-America at Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, as well as in the Office of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). In 2009, he was appointed advisory member for Studies and Reports at the Office of His Majesty the King of Spain; since February 2022, he has served as director of Institutional Relations at FUNIBER.
  • PhD (c). Ligia María Lee Guandique. Doctoral candidate in Project Management at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México. Master of Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from the Universidad Rafael Landívar de Guatemala. International Academic Coordinator for the Department of Political Science, Humanities, and Communication. In-person and online instructor at universities in Guatemala, Colombia, Spain, and Mexico. 

Teaching staff and Authors

  • Dr. Eduardo René Silva Alvarado. Doctorate in Project Management from the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana de México. Master's Degree in International Business Management from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Lawyer and Notary Public from the Universidad Rafael Landívar (in good standing with the Bar). Master's Degree in Commercial Law from the Guatemalan Institute of Commercial Law. Since 2005, he has authored various publications in the legal and artistic fields. In Barcelona, he has taught courses on international negotiation techniques and contracts. He has more than 15 years of professional experience in roles such as legal representative, legal assistant, editorial director, corporate legal counsel, junior attorney, and head of the legal department. He has served as a member of the Preliminary Draft Committee for the Update of Guatemala’s Migration Law.
  • Dr. Emmanuel Soriano Flores. Doctor in Higher Education from the Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo. Master’s degree in Educational Innovation from the Universidad Pedro de Gante; Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; and a postgraduate degree in Financial Management and Accounting from the European Business School of Barcelona. Professor of undergraduate and graduate programs at various universities in Mexico. Visiting professor and researcher at the Universidad de Barcelona. Author and co-author of several scientific publications. Speaker at national and international conferences.
  • Dr. Roberto Álvarez. Professor at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Director of the Projects Department, UNINI.
  • Dr. Estuardo Pérez. Professor at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, attorney.
  • Dr. Albert Beltrán. Doctorate in Political Science from Universidad Pompeu Fabra, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sociology from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the Universidad de Barcelona. Professor and instructor at various universities, business schools, and public and private institutions. Business trainer and researcher in political and social sciences. Author of various academic publications and a participant in national and international conferences.
  • Dr. Mónica Gracia. Professor at the Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (UNINI).
  • Among others.

FUNIBER Training Scholarships

The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) periodically allocates a special economic fund for FUNIBER Scholarships in Education.

To request it, you must complete the information request form available on the FUNIBER website or contact the offices of the foundation in your country, which will inform of any additional information required.

Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will examine the suitability of your application for financial aid as awarded by the FUNIBER Scholarship.