Unit information: Spanish Language in 2011/12

Unit name	Spanish Language
Unit code	HISP20101
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Ms. Brauning
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Relevant core language unit at level C/4
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

To revise and deepen knowledge of language acquired in 1st year, to practise and develop students’ oral, aural, reading writing and translation skills; to give students further linguistic skills and cultural background in preparation for residence abroad.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be more confident in their ability to produce accurate and fluent spoken and written language in a variety of registers and will be capable of understanding reading and speaking the language studied at a more sophisticated level. They will be ready to put their skills into practice during their time abroad.

Teaching Information

Normally one lecture hour and one seminar hour per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours), often with student presentations. In units with a smaller number of students the lecture hour may be replaced by a second seminar or a workshop. Units involving film may require students to view films outside the timetabled contact hours.

Assessment Information

One of the following:

a) A written assignment of 2000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)

b) A written assignment of 2000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)

c) Two written assignments of 2000 words (50% each)

d) One written assignment of 4000 words

e) One oral presentation (25%) and one written assignment of 2500 words (75%)

Reading and References

Selection of dedicated material prepared in-house (SML). Grammar texts and dictionaries as appropriate to language area.