Literature in Spanish (Autumn)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| MLAC1092 | Modern Languages and Cultures | 1 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- MLAC1092
- School
- Modern Languages and Cultures
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This is a core module, designed as a foundation for all other literary modules, in which students will read a series of key texts from the Peninsula and Spanish America. Its purpose is to impart an essential body of literary-historical and cultural knowledge relating to the main periods, genres and conventions of literature in Spanish from the Middle Ages to the modern period. It will also place due emphasis on techniques of critical analysis and commentary, as well as introducing an important study-skills component in which attention will be paid to the skills of seminar preparation and presentation, commentary writing, and small group interaction.
This is one semester of a full year, 20 credit module, MLAC1062.
Target Students
Only available for MLB (R9N1) and Exchange students.
Classes
- One 1-hour workshop each week for 4 weeks
- Two 1-hour lectures each week for 11 weeks
Hours per week per student: two. Some weeks there will be two lectures per week, other weeks one lecture and one seminar. The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: Assessed essay 2000 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The module has been designed as a foundation for all the other literary modules in the Department. Its main aims are (a) to give students a general introduction to literature and to the study of literature; (b) to provide students with a partial overview of literary writing in the Spanish language; (c) to introduce students to some of the key theoretical issues of literary study; (d) to inculcate good reading and critical habits. The main skills tested on this module are close reading, textual analysis, seminar participation, and the ability to write cogent and convincing commentaries and essays.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding. Students will:
- (A1) read and comprehend complex texts in Spanish;
- (A2) acquire an in-depth awareness of the cultural, historical and political contexts appropriate to the Hispanic culture(s) addressed;
- (A3) develop an appreciation of the relationship between their own cultural, historical and social backgrounds and those of those aspects of the Hispanic worlds to which they are exposed;
- (A4) handle with assurance a range of critical and analytical stratagems and tools in their approach to these areas.
2. Intellectual Skills. Students are given the tools with which to:
- (B1) engage in informed discussion of literary texts and genres from Hispanic cultures;
- (B2) demonstrate a critical awareness of the historical and socio-political contexts of Hispanic cultures;
- (B4) deploy effectively a range of critical stratagems and approaches in their analytical work.
3. Professional/practical skills. The training offered during the course of the Hispanic Studies elements of the degree allows students to:
- (C3) undertake relevant research and construct a reasoned argument on a topic/issue in English either orally or in writing.
4. Transferable/key skills. Students are provided with the training to be able to demonstrate:
- (D2) effective comprehension of written Spanish;
- (D3) the ability to construct and defend a coherent and well-researched argument in English;
- (D4) appropriate preparation skills in relation to written documents, oral presentation, illustrations and handouts and the delivery of oral presentations;
- (D5) sufficient cross-cultural understanding to be able to negotiate effectively between cultures, particularly Hispanic cultures and their own culture of origin;
- (D6) general research skills;
- (D7) time-management, prioritising and general organisational skills.