SPANISH AMERICA: AN INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY - 2021/2

Module Overview

This a level 5 module for students of Spain. It builds on a previous level 4 module SPA1050 Spain: An Introduction. It explores the history and culture of those modern nation states who share with Spain the use of Spanish and close historical and cultural ties formed through centuries of contact and interaction.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

YUNES VINCKE Estefania (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 30

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content will include:

Cultural contact

Identity

Colonialism

Migration

Indigenism

Nationalism

Cultural history

Pre-hispanic societies

Regional politics

Foreign policy

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate Knowledge and understanding of the use of the target language; Ability to analyse and interpret texts; Ability to select and synthesise information from written and oral texts; Ability to take notes effectively and use IT and research skills to find and present relevant information; Subject-specific knowledge of Spanish American history and culture.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Written assignment of 1500 words will enable students to develop subject-specific knowledge, improve their written Spanish, and develop research skills.

An online final exam. Assesses ability to write accurate and appropriate Spanish, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of topics covered.

Formative assessment and feedback Formative assessment will focus on student participation, informal class presentations and class discussions throughout the module. Students will be provided with detailed written feedback following coursework assignments. Verbal feedback will also occur in class and individual appointments will be available if required.

Module aims

• Equip students with an understanding of the major socio-cultural processes that formed Spanish America.
• Analyse how the former Spanish colonies in America transformed into modern nation states by exploring their complex historical development from pre-hispanic times to the present day
• Study a range of sources from the time such diaries, chronicles, etc., as well as drawing on contemporary texts and relevant audio-visual material.
• Develop awareness of the political, cultural and economic issues that shaped these countries by exploring topics such as race, colonialism, indigenism, and modernity.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 1. Enable students to develop their language skills as a medium for understanding, expression and communication, through listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language; 2. Enable students to acquire explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers through attending classes and reading in the target language 3. Encourage student participation and learner autonomy, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars; 4. Develop research skills, through reading and presenting findings, through informal class presentations and in the written assignment; 5. Enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and interpret texts and other cultural products, through attending classes and engaging in individual study. 6. Develop oral communication skills through interaction and presentations in class; 7. Acquire a broad knowledge of the history, culture and society of Spanish America. The learning and teaching methods include: 2 contact hours per week over Semester 2. Classes will include lectures and seminars. Students are expected to read selected materials outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SPA2028

Other information

N/A

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.