Aims
Aims
This module is intended to enable students to acquire knowledge of the key aspects of modern Spanish speaking world culture and society. Through the analysis of a variety of written and aural materials, students will be able to develop their linguistic competencies as well as their cultural understanding. This is in order to allow them to achieve a high level of fluency and accuracy in their production of written and spoken Spanish.
After satisfactorily completing the module you should be able to show:
- An understanding of Hispanic culture, society and politics.
- The ability to understand authentic materials including videos and audio texts and discuss them critically using historical, political and cultural knowledge for reference
- An understanding of a variety of spoken and written registers in Spanish
- The ability to structure and argue a topic/problem in appropriate written or spoken Spanish
- A high degree of fluency and accuracy in spoken Spanish
- An accurate and sophisticated use of written Spanish in the production of a variety of texts
Programme
Programme
Contact hours
The module lasts the whole year, with teaching continuing until Week 4 of the summer term. The programme will consist of two seminar hours per week.
Teaching programme
All the lessons are conducted as seminars in order to encourage discussion and interaction. Therefore, completing weekly tasks in preparation for class discussion is an essential part of students' commitment. The classes will cover a range of themes related to current issues in modern Spanish speaking countries. Particular emphasis will be given to the development of analytical and critical skills, using authentic materials from a range of sources (television broadcast, newspaper articles, books, and websites). The medium of instruction is Spanish.
Teaching materials
A reader has been created for this module, as well as a bibliography, which will be given as the term progresses.