The Department of Spanish and Portuguese is known not only for its academic rigor but also for its plurality of critical and theoretical approaches to the study of Peninsular and Latin American literatures. Yale University boasts a world-renowned faculty, a library housing one of the finest collections in the United States with approximately ten million volumes including rare books and manuscripts, an unparalleled intellectual environment, a beautiful tree-lined campus that dates from the 18th century, and a wide array of extra-curricular activities including cultural, social, political and athletic events. New Haven is centrally located in southern New England, 1.5 hours from New York City and 2.5 hours from Boston.