SPANISH AMERICA: AN INTRODUCTION TO ITS HISTORY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY - 2025/6

Module Overview

This a level 5 module for students of Spanish. 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. It also makes references to and builds on skills developed in previous Spanish Language modules, in particular data analysis.

Module provider

Literature & 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

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes: 

• Cultural contact 


• Identity 


• Colonialism  


• Migration  


• Indigenism 


• Nationalism  


• Cultural history


• Modern Spanish America  


• Regional politics and 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 (50%)
This will enable students to develop subject-specific knowledge, improve their written Spanish, and develop research skills. In-class discussions will support students in preparing their task.

* Portfolio (50%)
Takes the form of two or three pieces of work produced during the semester and submitted as one item after teaching ends.

Assesses ability to write accurate and appropriate Spanish, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of topics covered, and develops research skills. 

 

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

• The module aims to: 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
• develop awareness of the political, cultural and economic issues that shaped these countries by exploring topics such as race, colonialism, indigenism, and modernity
• 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 an understanding of the elements and organization of a plan for a language lesson
• develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver an English language lesson
• develop transferable skills in communication, decision making, adaptability and problem solving

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

* 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, acquiring the language tools to express themselves in authentic Spanish in relation to a range of political, social and historical themes. Develop students’ language skills through listening, speaking, reading and writing in the target language.
* encourage student participation and learner autonomy, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars
* support students in acquiring research skills, through reading and engaging with a wide range or sources, and presenting findings through informal class presentations and in the written assignment and final exam
* 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
* develop communication skills through active interactions in class
* guide students in acquiring an emerging specialist knowledge of the history, culture and society of Spanish America. 
 

The¿learning and teaching¿methods include: 

• Two contact hours per week: practical lectures and seminars based on discussion of work prepared in advance. Flipped classroom methods are used to maximise class time and student engagement


• A wide range of engaging online sources are used, and students are encouraged to work independently in order to extend their knowledge beyond course contents


• Participation in class is encouraged through a range of tasks formats, for instance Jamboard, anonymous Google documents, small-group discussions, and groups presentations. This participation is crucial to the delivery of the module outcomes.

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

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities: Digital capabilities are prominent in both the teaching and learning methods of the module and its outcomes. During class, students will use several online tools such as Google docs, Jamboard, and PowerPoint to encourage active and collaborative participation. To prepare for class, students will learn how to source and select appropriate online resources, drawn from the mass media, academic and para-academic websites, and platforms such as YouTube. Students will also watch online material generated by native Spanish speakers and will learn to respond to it in homework tasks.

Employability: This module develops important transferable professional skills, in particular research skills,, acquiring and using specialist terminology and to work collaboratively inside and outside class to prepare short oral presentations and to discuss topics. In familiarizing students with the history, culture, economy and institutions of Spanish speaking countries, it also prepares students for their placement year and  professional experience abroad. 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: This module invites students to learn about cultural, political, economic and social aspects and to explore them in-depth, understanding the complex realities of the cultures of Spanish American countries.  Students will engage with contemporary research into issues such as identity, colonialism, and cultural contact thus developing awareness of the nature of the cultures and societies that are part of Spanish America.  

Resourcefulness and Resilience: Students will be asked to investigate issues, often having to rely on their own resourcefulness to find relevant and appropriate materials. Discussing, researching and writing about complex societal issues in correct and authentic Spanish is challenging and often daunting for students; in supporting them to engage with contents and tasks in these areas, the module builds their intellectual self-confidence.  

Sustainability: Themes related to sustainability are explored and discussed in the module, in particular in regards with colonialism, extractivism, and activism in defense of the environment by the local affected population. The module specifically explores how attitudes to sustainability are changing across Spanish America and how this has impacted or shaped recent geopolitical developments in the region.  

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 2025/6 academic year.