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Latinos in the USA - LAN00038H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

In this module, we will look into how the growing Latino/Hispanic community is reshaping the idea of cultural identity in the United States. Students will explore the ideas of cultural identity and assimilation and its implications. This module will look into the role of Spanish language, bilingualism and the use of Spanglish in the US. This will be done through academic papers, art, literature/spoken word, debates and media.

Related modules

Pre-requisite module

Spanish Language and Cultures: Advanced.

Open as an elective for students with equivalent level in Spanish.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims at refining students’ knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in Spanish, and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at proficient level. It will help build on the skill learned in Spanish language and cultures: Advanced, and will also enable students to master the techniques of extended essay writing in Spanish based on topics discussed in class. This module will also give special attention to developing students' ability to analyse sources, critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view using a debate format. The medium of instruction is Spanish.

Module learning outcomes

  • Ability to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of some of the topics discussed in class

  • Ability to understand a wide range of long and complex written, audiovisual and digital texts; appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning

  • Ability to produce clear, smoothly flowing, complex texts in an appropriate and effective style and a logical structure, demonstrating a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.

  • Ability to set out multiple perspectives on complex topics, clearly distinguishing their own ideas and opinions from those in the sources.

  • Demonstrate an ability to undertake personal research

  • Present sources from a critical perspective and develop arguments and different points of view in both spoken and written Spanish

  • Develop increased confidence and advanced accuracy in the production and presentation of both written and spoken Spanish

Module content

Most of 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 module will use a varied selection of authentic materials from a range of sources; particular emphasis will be given to developing students’ ability to present and analyse sources from a critical perspective.

The medium of instruction is Spanish.

General topics that might be covered include:

  • Construction, complexities and Implications of Latino/Hispanic identity in the USA

  • Preconceptions and prejudices

  • Social and cultural fragmentation

  • Language as cultural identity

  • The role of Spanish in the United States

  • Bilingualism in the USA (Spanish-English)

  • Spanglish as a linguistic, cultural, and political tool

  • Cultural manifestations of Latinos/Hispanic in the USA

  • Visual arts - representation of political and social issues

  • Music - the changing rhythms of Latino/hispanic identity

  • Literature and Spoken word - the evolution of multiculturalism

  • Latino/Hispanic cultural, political and economic power in the USA

A detailed syllabus will be provided by the tutors at the beginning of the module.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

  1. Formative assessment and feedback

  • Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module

  • Feedback will include written comments for written formative work

  • Oral feedback during class discussions.

  1. Summative assessment and feedback

  • Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

The following resources will be used during the module.

Articles:

  • Belchi, Antoni. Elecciones en EEUU: Estos son los candidatos hispanos más destacados’ Voz de América. (2022)

  • Betti, Silvia; “Una cuestión de identidad… español y spanglish en los Estados Unidos”.. Camino Real, 8:11. Alcalá de Henares: Instituto Franklin – UAH, 2016: 61-76. Print

  • PAZ, Yanira B. Inglés, español, o "spanglish" en los Estados Unidos: un largo debate para el siglo XXI. Estudios de Lingüística Aplicada, [S.l.], p. 55-66, oct. 2016.

  • Stavans Ilán, “La vida en el limbo” La condición hispánica: vistas al futuro México: Fondo de Cultura Económica.) HarperCollins, 2001

  • Lam, K. & Richard, E. (2020). Enseñan el español en las escuelas públicas, pero será suficiente para ayudar a los Latinos? Usa Today News.

Poetry (spoken word)

  • Anacristina - ‘On being bilingual’

  • Elizabeth Acevedo -’’Afro-Latina’

  • Denice Frohman - Accents

  • Mercedes Holtry - ‘My blood is beautiful’

  • Melisa Lozada - ‘My Spanish’

  • Yesica Salgado - ‘Brown Girl’, "Translation" ‘Tesoro’

  • Tato Laviera - ‘AmeRican’


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.