Hispanic Studies BA (Hons)

Module details Programme Year One

Students with advanced Spanish:

• Four language modules
• Two foundational modules (Introduction to Iberian and Latin American Studies I and II)
• Two additional modules in another subject

Programme Year Two

• Four language modules
• Four optional modules

All students must take four language modules if taking Hispanic Studies as a Major or as a Single Honours. This means continuing with the two languages studied in Year 1.

Examples of optional modules include:

• Latin America in its Literature
• Spain is not Spain: Nation, Identity and Diversity in Iberian Culture
• Spanish and Latin American Cinemas
• Spanish Poetry at the Crossroads of New Millennia

Compulsory modules

• Modern Spanish Language (advanced Course Iia) (HISP200) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims
  • To provide a stimulating learning environment in which students develop their linguistic skills in Spanish.
  • ​ To e nable students to understand both written and spoken Spanish and analyse the linguistic nature of Spanish.
  • ​ To e nhance and d evelop the oral and listening practical skills.
  • ​ To a ssist the students in speaking Spanish accurately and fluently.
  Learning Outcomes

  Consolidate and extend students'' existing knowledge and ability to use the Spanish language by developing all skills - speaking, listening, reading, writing and interacting.    

  ​ Develop their translation and written skills to demonstrate a deep understanding of the structures, lexicon and registers of Spanish.

  ​ Improve their listening and speaking skills in order to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts and using the appropriate registers in a more complex or professional environments.

• Modern Spanish Language (advanced Course Iib) (HISP201) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 50:50 Aims

• To provide a stimulating learning environment in which students develop their linguistic skills in Spanish.

• ​ To e nable students to understand both written and spoken Spanish and to analyse the linguistic nature of Spanish.

• ​ To e nhance and d evelop the oral and listening practical skills.

• ​ To a ssist the students in speaking Spanish accurately and fluently.

Learning Outcomes

Consolidate their existing language skills (writing, reading, listening speaking) in the Spanish Language.

​ Develop their translation and written skills.

​​Improve their listening and speaking skills.

• Modern Spanish Language (beginners Iib) (HISP203) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 40:60 Aims

• To consolidate the student''s knowledge of Spanish grammar in a variety of different contexts and registers and to explore aspects of contemporary Peninsular and Latin American Spanish language and culture .

• To develop and consolidate listening comprehension skills in Spanish in a variety of different contexts and registers.​
• To communicate effectively in oral Spanish in a variety of different contexts and registers.

  
  

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module students will have markedly improved their linguistic skills in Spanish speaking, listening, understanding, reading, writing and translating, which will equip them for a successful next year spent abroad.

​To provide different contexts, registers and Spanish geographical varieties so students can understand the different uses and varieties of Spanish.

To communicate effectively in oral Spanish in a variety of different contexts and registers and to explore aspects of contemporary Peninsular and Latin American Spanish language and culture.​
• Modern Portuguese Language Iia (HISP204) Level 2 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 65:35 Aims
  • To provide students with competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Portuguese at Intermediate level.
  • ​To provide students with a solid understanding of basic and complex structures of Portuguese grammar.
  • To develop students'' language learning strategy use and a reflective approach towards language learning.​
  • ​To explore aspects of contemporary Portuguese-speaking culture through the medium of Portuguese.
  Learning Outcomes

  Apply increasingly complex and nuanced listening, reading, writing and speaking skils in the target language.

  Communicate in the target language in everyday contexts and in increasingly complex formal and informal registers.

  ​Demonstrate a considerable knowledge and understanding of the structures, registers and, as appropriate, varieties of the target languages.

  ​Critically reflect on and effectively apply language learning strategies.

  ​Demonstrate a considerable knowledge and understanding of the cultures and linguistic contexts of the countries of the target language.

Programme Year Three Year abroad

For students specialising in Latin American Studies:

You spend your third year in a country of your choice, such as Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil or Cuba. You are required to enrol in university classes, including language, unless exempted by the director of the programme or be attached to a Non-Governmental Organisation or research centre.

While abroad, you carry out research for a dissertation, you submit a pre-dissertation report and a draft chapter at the beginning of June, while the dissertation itself is a compulsory module (across both semesters) in final year.

All other students:

Extended essay or portfolio written in Spanish, or accredited ERASMUS modules.

Programme Year Four

• 4 language modules
• 4 optional modules

All students must take four language modules. This means continuing with the two languages studied in Years 1 and 2 normally.

Examples of optional modules include:

• Latin American New Media
• New Realisms in Contemporary World Cinema
• Catalan for Beginners
• Basque Language and Culture
• Portuguese for Beginners
• Non-Western Cultures in Spanish American Literature
• Revolution, Repression, Memory in Contemporary Latin America
• East is West: Jews, Muslims & Native Americans in Spanish Literature
• Imagined Geographies in Spanish and Latin American Cinema
• Modern Caribbean Literature
• From Archive to Internet: Latin American Amateur Cultures and Content
• Brazilian Popular Culture
• Cultural Connections: Representations of the Caribbean:
• Terror Remembered: Post-dictatorship representation in Latin America and Europe
• Democracy and Democratisation in Latin America
• Advanced Translation
• Dissertation

Compulsory modules

• Modern Spanish Language Iiia (HISP300) Level 3 Credit level 15 Semester First Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 30:70 Aims

• Students are expected to be able to show ability to assimilate and transmit information through simultaneous and liaison interpreting.

• Through (assessed) translation from English​ to Spanish, students are expected to develop an excellent understanding of Spanish grammar.

• Through a weekly class with the Spanish lector(a)​, students are expected to develop and consolidate advanced oral skills, building particularly on their experience during their year abroad.
  

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to speak and write Spanish with near-native fluency and with grammatical correctness.

​ Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of different contexts and registers.

​ Students'' speaking, listening, reading and writing skills will all have improved and their ability to translate texts and interpret short interviews/talks will have been enhanced.

​ Students will be expected to be able to translate from English into Spanish with grammatical correctness and cultural awareness.

• Modern Spanish Language Iiib (HISP301) Level 3 Credit level 15 Semester Second Semester Exam:Coursework weighting 30:70 Aims
  1. Students are expected to show ability to assimilate and transmit information through simultaneous and liaison interpreting.
  2. ​ Through writing in a variety of registers (reporting tasks, letters, summaries, dialogues, descriptions) students are expected to consolidate and apply their understanding of Spanish grammar.
  3. Through a weekly class with the Spanish lector(a) ​ , students are expected to develop and consolidate advanced oral skills, building particularly on their experience during their year abroad.
  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to speak and write Spanish with near-native fluency and with grammatical correctness. 

  ​ Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of different contexts and registers.

  ​ Students'' ability to write in different registers and interpret short interviews/talks will have been enhanced.

The modules listed above are illustrative and subject to change. Please refer to the department site for further information