Modules

• Year 1

  Core Modules

  Spanish 1 (40 credits)

  ×

  Spanish 1

  Overview

  Course contents:
  This module aims to consolidate and expand on existing Spanish language competency by developing written and oral language skills, knowledge of Spanish and Latin American culture, and grammatical proficiency, to equip students with professional and employability skills in preparation for further study of Spanish. It consists of four elements designed to provide a comprehensive consolidation of Spanish language competence:
  
  1. Language Seminar (1hr per week)
  Seminar aims to develop students’ ability to understand, translate, and compose Spanish-language materials in a range of forms: text, image, audio-visual. Language will be engaged in context, guided by themes such as University Life, Culture & Identity, and Culture & Communication. Linguistic competence will be developed through a range of methods that may include: group discussion, translation, responsive and report writing.
  2. Grammar Workshop (1hr per week)
  Workshop designed to consolidate and enrich students’ knowledge and understanding of Spanish grammar and syntax. All major areas of grammar will be encountered, laying the foundations for future study of the language and its nuances.
  3. Specialised Language Cursillo (1hr per week)
  Cursillo offers language skills for special purposes providing career development, linguistic and socio-cultural knowledge important to work-related situations in different fields.
  4. Conversation Class (1hr per week)
  Conversation class is led by a native speaker of Spanish and compliments the content of the Language Hour. Students will meet in small groups to discuss, debate, and present on the main themes of the course.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the modules students should:
  1. be able to read Spanish texts in a variety of forms and demonstrate a sensitivity to their detail and nuance in speech, writing, and when translating;
  2. be able to produce Spanish texts appropriate to different requirements and registers;
  3. be able to investigate, structure, and present a complex argument in longer pieces of written work;
  4. be able to communicate using more sophisticated grammatical and syntactical constructions with a good level of accuracy (without basic errors).

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: comprehensive dexterity using Spanish grammar; translation skills; text analysis; essay writing; lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills.

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  SPA1101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Spanish for Beginners (40 credits)

  ×

  Spanish for Beginners

  Overview

  An intensive introduction to the Spanish language: grammar, comprehension, spoken, translation, expressive and descriptive writing

  Learning Outcomes

  To learn and develop proficiency in the core language skills

  Skills

  Fundamentals of Spanish grammar; Translation skills; text analysis; essay writing; lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  SPA1121

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Beginners French Studies (Post GCSE Level) (40 credits)

  ×

  Beginners French Studies (Post GCSE Level)

  Overview

  This modules aims to provide students with little or no previous knowledge of French with the grammatical, written, and spoken language skills necessary go further in the study of French. It will also equip them with professional and employability skills complimentary to their studies. It consists of:
  
  1. Language Seminars (3 hours per week)
  Seminars will equip students with the knowledge and understanding of grammatical constructions (both basic and more complex) and syntax required to use the French language independently in written and spoken form. Language skills are practiced in a range of activities: grammar exercises, reading, spoken and listening comprehension, translation, expressive and descriptive writing. All major areas of grammar will be encountered, laying the foundations for future study of the language and its nuances.
  Seminars also introduce students to language in context. Students are exposed to new vocabulary, expressions and nuances of use through reading, translation and writing exercises based on sources from the Francophone world.
  2. Conversation Class (1hr per week)
  Led by a native speaker, this class develops students’ listening and speaking skills in French. The content from seminars is deployed in a range of practical scenarios likely to be experienced in French -speaking countries.

  Learning Outcomes

  This modules aims to provide students with little or no previous knowledge of French with the grammatical, written, and spoken language skills necessary go further in the study of French. It will also equip them with professional and employability skills complimentary to their studies. It consists of:
  1. Language Seminars (3 hours per week)
  Seminars will equip students with the knowledge and understanding of grammatical constructions (both basic and more complex) and syntax required to use the French language independently in written and spoken form. Language skills are practiced in a range of activities: grammar exercises, reading, spoken and listening comprehension, translation, expressive and descriptive writing. All major areas of grammar will be encountered, laying the foundations for future study of the language and its nuances.
  Seminars also introduce students to language in context. Students are exposed to new vocabulary, expressions and nuances of use through reading, translation and writing exercises based on sources from the Francophone world.
  2. Conversation Class (1hr per week)
  Led by a native speaker, this class develops students’ listening and speaking skills in French. The content from seminars is deployed in a range of practical scenarios likely to be experienced in French -speaking countries.

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: A comprehensive dexterity using French grammar; Translation skills; text analysis; essay writing; lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills.

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  FRH1121

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  French 1 (40 credits)

  ×

  French 1

  Overview

  This module aims to consolidate and develop the students existing written and oral language skills and knowledge of French and Francophone culture, equip them with professional and employability skills and prepare them to go further in the study of French. It consists of four elements designed to provide a comprehensive consolidation of French language competence:
  
  1. Language Seminar (1hr per week)
  Seminar aims to develop students ability to understand, translate and compose French language materials in a range of forms: text, image, audio-visual. Language will be engaged in context, guided by themes such as University life, Culture and Identity and Culture and Communication. Linguistic competence will be developed through a range of methods that may include: group discussion, comprehension, translation, responsive and essay writing.
  
  2. Grammar Workshop (1hr per week)
  Workshop designed to consolidate and enrich students' knowledge and understanding of French grammar and syntax. All major areas of grammar will be encountered, laying the foundations for future study of the language and its nuances. It focuses particularly on developing competence in the key area of translation into French.
  
  3. Professional skills (1hr per week)
  The class focuses on language skills for special purposes and contains two strands: Language for Business and Language for Law. Both provide linguistic and socio-cultural knowledge important to work-related situations in different fields.
  
  4. Conversation class (1hr per week)
  Conversation class is led by a native speaker of French and compliments the content of the Language hour. Students will meet in small groups to discuss, debate and present on the main themes of the course.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the modules students should:
  1. Be able to read French texts in a variety of forms and demonstrate a sensitivity to their detail and nuance in speech, writing and when translating.
  2. Be able to produce French texts appropriate to different requirements and registers.
  3. Be able to investigate, structure and present a complex argument in longer pieces of written work.
  4. Be able to communicate using more sophisticated grammatical and syntactical constructions with a good level of accuracy (without basic errors).

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: comprehensive dexterity using French grammar; translation skills; text analysis; comprehension; essay writing; lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  FRH1101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Beyond the Hexagon: French language, politics and culture in a global frame (20 credits)

  ×

  Beyond the Hexagon: French language, politics and culture in a global frame

  Overview

  This module will introduce students to key areas of contextual studies in French, ie. literature, culture, the visual arts and linguistics. There will be two 'strands' within the module, and across the two stands, students will be introduced to all four areas. The core material will include both French and francophone texts, film, images and data. Each strand will form a coherent whole in terms of both teaching and assessment.

  Learning Outcomes

  Students will acquire an introductory knowledge of key fields in French Studies, notably literature, culture, the visual arts and linguistics. They will acquire key skills in how to approach these fields in preparation for optional modules in Levels 2 and 3. They will further acquire skills in time management, written and oral communication, and skills in marshalling complex information and constructing an argument.

  Skills

  Skills in how to approach and analyse texts, images and data for future work in literature, the visual arts, linguistics; skills in oral and written communication; skills in marshalling large amounts of data and structuring an argument; skills in time management.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH1004

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Perspectives on France: moments of crisis (20 credits)

  ×

  Perspectives on France: moments of crisis

  Overview

  This module will introduce students to key areas of contextual studies in French, i.e. literature, culture, the visual arts and linguistics. There will be two 'strands' within the module, and across the two strands, students will be introduced to all four areas. The core material will include both French and francophone texts, film, images and data. Each strand will form a coherent whole in terms of both teaching and assessment.

  Learning Outcomes

  Students will acquire an introductory knowledge of key fields in French Studies, notably literature, culture, the visual arts and linguistics. They will acquire key skills in how to approach these fields in preparation for optional modules in Levels 2 and 3. They will further acquire skills in time management, written and oral communication, and skills in marshalling complex information and constructing an argument.

  Skills

  Skills in how to approach and analyse texts, images and data for future work in literature, the visual arts, linguistics; skills in oral and written communication; skills in marshalling large amounts of data and structuring an argument; skills in time management.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH1003

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Introduction to Latin American Studies (20 credits)

  ×

  Introduction to Latin American Studies

  Overview

  Course Contents
  This module introduces students to key concepts, movements, literary and historical moments pertaining to the cultures, literatures and societies of Latin America. Throughout the module, a representative selection of primary and secondary texts from a range of historical periods will be used to explore key issues and themes. Themes will vary from year to year but may include: exploration, conquest, identity, borders, dictatorship, and migration.

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of this module students should:- acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of crucial periods of Latin American culture and history - develop an understanding of the complex inter-relations between a text and its historical context - have an awareness of distinct methods of cultural and historical analysis and begin to apply thses appropriately to a range of texts, writtren and visual.

  Skills

  Students should begin to: - situate art and literature in their socio-political contexts - develop an awareness of key historical trends - develop skills of critical analysis - develop essay writing skills - develop bibliographical research skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA1008

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Introduction to Iberian Studies (20 credits)

  ×

  Introduction to Iberian Studies

  Overview

  This module introduces students to key concepts, movements and historical moments pertaining to the cultures, literatures and societies of the Iberian Peninsula (i.e. Spain and Portugal). It explores a selection of texts (literary and visual) from a range of authors and artists from the early modern period (16th / 17th century) to the present day. This course will give you a broad overview of the main historical events in Spain and Portugal from a cultural perspective.

  Learning Outcomes

  By the end of this module students should - acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of crucial periods of peninsular cultural history - develop an understanding of the complex inter-relations between a text and its historical context - have an awareness of the distinct methods of cultural analysis and begin to apply these appropriately to a range of texts, written and visual.

  Skills

  Students should begin to - situate art and literature in their socio-political contexts - develop skills of critical analysis - develop essay writing skills - develop bibliographical research skills

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  1

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA1005

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

• Year 2

  Core Modules

  Spanish 2 (40 credits)

  ×

  Spanish 2

  Overview

  Building on skills acquired at Level 1, this module aims to develop more advanced language skills in spoken and written language. Students will be required to take on increasingly complex tasks which require them to be aware of and use different written and spoken styles and registers. Task will promote linguistic, sociolinguistic and cultural awareness at a more advanced level. The module will contain the following elements:
  1. Text-based class – (1 hour a week).
  This class will focus on developing skills in reading, writing, literary and non literary translation. Students will be required to read and respond to texts which deal with current issues in Spanish speaking countries in Europe and Latin America.
  2. Translation into English Workshop ( 1 hr per week)
  Students will develop their ability to respond to a range of source text types of an appropriate level of difficulty, grouped according to the course themes. They will also develop editing skills and improve their expression in English. Study of Spanish grammar in context will be embedded into the class.
  3. Oral class ( 1 hr per week)
  This class will encourage students to develop their skills in spoken language with an emphasis on being able to communicate information and a point of view and on eliminating basic errors from spoken language as well as developing fluency in spoken Spanish
  4. Cursillo ( 1 hr per week)
  This class will focus on preparing students for the year abroad and on highlighting and developing the professional skills which students develop as a result of studying Spanish at degree level
  
  There will be an extra hour of language tuition for ex-beginners

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the modules students should:
  1. be able to demonstrate a level of fluency, accuracy and spontaneity in speech and writing, and a wide range of vocabulary and expression, so as to be able to discuss a range of complex issues.
  2. be able to read a wide variety of Spanish texts (fiction and non fiction) and identify important information and ideas within them.
  3. be able to demonstrate a good grasp of structures of the language covered in the module and identify and use appropriate reference works including dictionaries and grammars.
  4. be able to organise and present a coherent argument in Spanish relating to topics covered in the course, and present their knowledge and ideas in a range of formats and registers

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: Translation skills; text analysis; essay writing; lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills - including practical language knowledge for living and working abroad

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  SPA2101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Core

  French 2 (40 credits)

  ×

  French 2

  Overview

  Course contents: Building on skills acquired at Level 1, this module aims to consolidate productive (writing and speaking) and receptive (reading and listening) skills in French language. Key components are: comprehension, translation into English and into French, résumé, grammar, CV preparation. The oral French component includes presentations and preparation for job interviews. Languages for special purposes strands equip students in law or business with skills for legal and professional contexts.
  This module will contain the following elements:
  1.Written language (2 hrs per week)
  This component will focus on enhancing ability in written French through engagement with a range of journalistic and literary written texts at appropriate level. A variety of topics will be covered, dealing with current themes in society and topical issues. Written language tasks include translation (from and into French), résumé, comprehension and grammar exercises.
  2.Oral language (1 hr per week)
  This component will focus on enhancing ability in oral French. A variety of topics and themes are covered, which aim to develop knowledge of issues in present-day France, prepare students for the year abroad and for job interviews in the target language. Stimulus materials from a range of media (textual, visual, audio, video) are used.
  3.Contextual Study (filière; 1 hr per week)
  This component will raise awareness of cultural and linguistic issues in French and allow students to deepen their perspective of the field, as well as preparing students for a residence in a French-speaking country.

  Learning Outcomes

  Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the modules students should:
  1) be able to demonstrate fluency, accuracy and spontaneity in spoken and written French, with a broad range of vocabulary and expression, so as to be able to discuss a variety of complex issues;
  2) be able to read wide variety of French texts and identify important information and ideas within them;
  3) be able to translate a range of texts into and from French;
  4) have developed a detailed critical understanding of representative textual and other material;
  5) be able to engage in complex problem-solving exercises.

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills:
  Skills in written and oral expression; critical awareness and problem-solving; close textual analysis; translation; comprehension; presentation; IT skills; employability skills, such as interview technique and cv preparation.

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  FRH2101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Understanding 20th Century Mexico through Art, Film and Literature (20 credits)

  ×

  Understanding 20th Century Mexico through Art, Film and Literature

  Overview

  This module introduces students to key moments in Mexican history and cultural production through the study of art, film and literature.
  
  The module will introduce students to a selection (typically three or four) of the following topics:
  The Mexican Revolution
  The Rights and Experiences of Indigenous Populations
  1968, the Mexico Olympics, Student Movements and Tlatelolco
  Migration, Border Crossing and Border Culture
  The Zapatista Uprising
  Mexico’s Dirty War
  Mexico City becomes a mega city
  Inserting women into Mexican history
  NAFTA, maquiladoras and femicide
  Communism, Fascism, and the Spanish Civil War exiles in Mexico
  Workers’ Movements and Workers’ Rights

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, student should:
  
  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of a selection of key moments in 20th century Mexican history
  • Understand how cultural production (art, film and literature) has responded to a selection of key moments in 20th century Mexican history.
  • Be able to use their knowledge of the set texts to construct an argument on a given topic.
  • Understand individual texts and the contexts and critical debates surrounding them.
  • Have demonstrated the ability to read and understand works of fiction and academic criticism in Spanish.
  • At an advanced level students should have acquired an appreciation of the complex relationships and dialogues between texts and reality.

  Skills

  On successful completion of the course, student should be able to:
  • Articulate ideas and arguments in written form using evidence from primary and secondary literature as appropriate
  • Prepare presentations and handouts suitable for a specified purpose or audience
  • Interpret texts in different media using appropriate critical vocabulary and terminology
  • Be able to recognise and explain nuance and ambiguity in texts
  • Adjust their writing style for different purposes
  • At an advanced level students should be able to point out shortcomings in scholarly literature and analysis
  • Read complex texts in Spanish

  Coursework

  70%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  30%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA2005

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Protecting Paradise (20 credits)

  ×

  Protecting Paradise

  Overview

  This module examines a range of materials that includes: literature, textiles, and films/documentaries that explore the impact of social change, technology, and industry on the natural world in Latin America. Using the framework of environmental justice ecocriticism and moving from paradisiacal descriptions of Spanish America in the early colonial period to the protest movements of the 21st century, we will discuss how these genres may highlight the plight of local communities by using the arts (in their broadest sense) as a form of protest. The course will follow a theme of the four elements as part of the reflection on the interaction with the natural world: fire, air, earth, water.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module students will:
  
  • Demonstrate understanding of the general concepts of environmental justice ecocriticism and the application of this theory to text and image/film.
  • Demonstrate understanding of a range of major environmental issues facing Latin America in a global context and based on a particular historical trajectory.
  • Demonstrate understanding of and ability to work with the different approaches in text, textile, and film that seek to challenge and inform the reader/viewer of the social impact of environmental changes.

  Skills

  On successful completion of this module students should have developed a range of transferable and subject-specific skills:
  • Research skills (locating relevant materials, organising material, use of databases and reference techniques)
  • Independent thinking: analysing a variety of ideas and ability to address these ideas within the framework of an independently-constructed argument; implementation of research skills.
  • Critical analysis: active reading, argument building.
  • Written expression: analytical dexterity, fluency and coherence.
  • Oral expression: presentation skills, clarity, succinctness, communication of argument.
  • Creative expression through textile management.

  Coursework

  70%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  30%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA2042

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Fantastic in Latin America (20 credits)

  ×

  The Fantastic in Latin America

  Overview

  Harry Belevan has written that the Fantastic mode of literature is revolutionary because it created a new type of reader, one attuned to the limits between reality and unreality in a text. With this in mind, this course begins with a reflection on the practice of close analysis in order to develop the tools of active reading that will allow a proper engagement with the rich tradition of lo fantástico in Latin America. Students will then learn how the Fantastic has been theorised by critics, before using this knowledge as a lens through which to explore a range of texts by some of Latin America’s most important cultural icons (e.g. Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar) and exciting new authors (e.g. Samanta Schweblin, Mariana Enriquez).

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  • Provide a close reading of both image and text using a range of critical terminology
  • Discuss and identify the most common characteristics of the Fantastic mode in literature and film
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the work of important, 20th century Latin American artists
  • Argue at length and in detail about an aspect of the topic, supporting the argument with evidence from the text and with opinions from secondary literature

  Skills

  On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  • Identify own areas of strength and interest
  • Closely analyse the subtleties of a written text
  • Undertake independent research
  • Time management and working to deadlines
  • Adopt a critical approach to the selection and organisation of a large body of material in order to produce a written argument of some complexity
  • Extract relevant information for presentation and discussion based activities.
  • Demonstrate ability to combine a variety of IT skills in researching and reporting on a topic (Word, PowerPoint, Internet)

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Linguistic Variation in French (20 credits)

  ×

  Linguistic Variation in French

  Overview

  An exploration of linguistic varieties of contemporary French, including regional variation, the role of socioeconomic status, age, gender etc and varieties of French spoken outside France.

  Learning Outcomes

  A detailed critical understanding of linguistic varieties of contemporary French, including phonological, syntactic and lexical variation.

  Skills

  Marshalling and synthesising diverse material; critical awareness; skills in written and oral expression, and in linguistic analysis.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH2010

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  French Noir (20 credits)

  ×

  French Noir

  Overview

  This Level 2 module introduces French postwar Film Noir and Crime Fiction. It will contextualize this cultural production within historical circumstances and trends of the period, such as American influences on French Culture, Existentialism, 'Leftism' and 'Néo-Noir'. Aesthestics of the 'Noir' genre will be studied through a variety of Media, including Film, Novel, Comics and Posters. Among the themes discussed will feature Depiction of the City, Slang ('argot') and Modern Morals.

  Learning Outcomes

  Students should, after completion of this module: have acquired an awareness of the relation between commercial culture and artistic culture; have gained an understanding of the process of reception and assimilation of foreign cultural products; be able to analyse how art forms converge in a cultural phenomenon such as the 'Noir'; be able to analyse different kinds of documents and draw upon relevant primary and secondary sources in order to present structured, cohesive arguments in oral and written form; have developed transferable skills in group work, time-management and in the use of Powerpoint.

  Skills

  Textual analysis skills; written and oral expression skills; critical analysis.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH2030

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Afterlives: Rogues and Mystics of the Spanish Golden Age (20 credits)

  ×

  Afterlives: Rogues and Mystics of the Spanish Golden Age

  Overview

  Just as the 'Renaissance' sought to establish a dialogue with the classical past, artists and writers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries have looked to Spain's past to make sense of its present. In this Level 2 module students will explore the creative responses of new generations to the innovations of the Spanish Golden Age. Students are introduced to two key modes of expression associated with the Spanish Golden Age and go on to consider their appropriation and transformation in the modern and post-modern era. They will engage with the anonymous tale of the irresistible rogue, Lazarillo de Tormes, and explore select writings of the Spanish mystic, Santa Teresa de Ávila.

  Learning Outcomes

  1. To establish a familiarity with a representative selection of texts from the Spanish Golden Age to encourage sensitivity to the ways in which later writers and artists reproduce, rework, or contest these discourses and paradigms.
  
  2.To examine critically the rich flowering of literature in Spain during the twentieth century through the study of a representative selection of literary texts by major and minor writers.
  
  3. To consider the continued relevance of Early Modern literature and culture to later, and especially modern, cultural and intellectual concerns.
  
  4. To promote students’ acquisition of generic skills in textual analysis as a means to support progression to study of Hispanic Studies at level three and beyond.

  Skills

  By the end of this course students will be equipped to:
  -Demonstrate an understanding of the dialogue with earlier cultural epochs which has defined twentieth and twenty-first century cultural movements in Spain
  
  - Consider Spanish literature in this period against the backdrop of developments in European culture and history generally, and in relation to particular circumstances in Spain
  
  -Apply knowledge of general artistic and historical trends to individual texts
  
  -After initial input from the course tutor, apply and evaluate critical approaches to the material under analysis independently.
  
  -Argue at length and in detail about an aspect of the topic, supporting the argument with evidence from the text and with opinions from secondary literature.
  
  -Use a range of critical terminology, applying it to independently researched material as well as to material introduced by the course tutor
  
  -Analyse texts in the Target language in a variety of genres and styles, showing awareness of their relation to the social, historical and generic context in which they were written, and present the results orally / in writing

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA2037

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Algeria and France: Trauma, Forgetting, Re-Membering (20 credits)

  ×

  Algeria and France: Trauma, Forgetting, Re-Membering

  Overview

  Algeria was a prized French colony between 1830 and 1962. Its bloody liberation struggle from France was marked by atrocities on both sides. France’s role in such practices as torture, the enforced disappearance of Algerian nationalists, and most shockingly, in the police massacre of dozens of peaceful Algerian protesters, who were thrown into the Seine in October 1962, was for many years repressed and denied. The legacy of this conflict continues to determine relations between France and North Africa, has had a profound influence on politics and culture in contemporary France, and indeed impacts contemporary international relations more generally.
  
  This module explores this contested, and still unprocessed, past, examining a number of films and texts that interrogate the war and its aftermath. It also introduces students to a number of significant theoretical ideas (Pierre Nora’s lieu de mémoire; Cathy Caruth’s trauma and latency; Henri Rousso’s ‘passé qui ne passe pas’; Michael Rothberg’s multidirectional memory) that help us to better understand the operation—and manipulation—of memory, the impact of trauma, and the difficulty in coming to terms, over generations, with a painful past.

  Learning Outcomes

  On completion of the course, students will be able to:
  
  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of French colonialism in general, and a more in-depth understanding of the French colonial presence in North Africa
  
  2. Be able to analyse in detail a range of literary and cinematic works, in order to understand how the story of the Algerian war and its aftermath is presented, and to what political ends
  
  3. Be able to engage critically and sensitively with a range of fictional materials, presented from radically different political perspectives (eg French setter/pied noir; harki, Algerian Muslim) and have reached an understanding of what this multiperspectivity brings in terms of understanding a still very unsettled narrative
  
  4. Have understood the evolution in our understanding of this conflict, taking account of French denial of its very existence, the role that propaganda played for both sides, the significance of intergenerational memory and forgetting/repression, and the effect of the opening of the archives
  
  5. Understand the continuing importance of this historical moment for contemporary politics
  
  6. Demonstrate understanding of contemporary theories of memory, trauma and repression

  Skills

  · Close textual analysis
  · Close visual analysis
  · Comparative analysis
  · Critical engagement
  · Independent research and time management

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH2035

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Sociolinguistics of Modern French (20 credits)

  ×

  The Sociolinguistics of Modern French

  Overview

  This module introduces students to key concepts and topics in French sociolinguistics. It explores language variation and change in French along a number of social dimensions, including the age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status of the speaker. It will also look at the effect of situational variables such as style, register, medium and context on language use. The module will examine linguistic data on variation in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary, and we will also consider some key theoretical and methodological issues which arise in the study of sociolinguistics.

  Learning Outcomes

  Upon successful completion of this module, students will:
  
  • be able to identify and explain the main dimensions of sociolinguistic variation and the ways in which these affect language use;
  • be able to identify and explain the main dimensions of situational variation and the ways in which these affect language use;
  • be able to assess the significance of linguistic data relating to areas of variation ;
  • be able to critically assess some theoretical and methodological issues concerned with the study of sociolinguistics;
  • have an understanding of some topics of language variation in French in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary;
  • develop the ability to marshal large amounts of information and to construct a detailed argument;
  • develop transferable skills in critical thinking, approaching the analysis of data, written and oral expression, group work, and presentation.

  Skills

  Critical thinking; approaching the analysis of data; written and oral expression skills; group work; presentation

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH2034

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Configurations of the Brazilian City (20 credits)

  ×

  Configurations of the Brazilian City

  Overview

  Over 85% of the population of Brazil lives in cities. In this module, students will explore and engage with a diversity of Brazilian urban configurations, spanning cities of different sizes in different regions of the country (as well as, potentially, cities outside of Brazil in which Brazilian migrants have established a presence). Students will be
  
  introduced to and learn how to analyse varied practices of the occupation and representation of Brazilian urban spaces by their inhabitants and visitors in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, which might include verticalization, auto-construction, migration, mapping, tourism, datafication, performance, events, protest, and commerce/trade, as well as different cultural forms such as film, literature, art, music, digital culture and so on. The module will also foreground diverse perspectives on the city informed by attributes such as race and ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality. Previous knowledge of the Portuguese language and cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world are not required.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module students will be able to: * Critically analyse a range of occupations and representations of Brazilian urban spaces informed by an awareness of their specific features as well as the historical, social, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which they are undertaken * Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of twentieth and twenty-first century Brazilian urban configurations, grounded in an interdisciplinary approach to the topic and the ability to engage with a range of social and cultural formations * Argue at length and in detail about an aspect of the topic, supporting the argument with evidence from relevant social and cultural material and with opinions from secondary literature.

  Skills

  On successful completion of this module students should have demonstrated: - Interpretive and analytical skills through the critical analysis of varied examples of Brazilian urban occupations and representations - Organisational and time management skills through their use of non-contact time to effectively prepare for and meet deadlines for classes and assessments - Oral and written communication skills through participation in class discussions and completion of coursework assignments - Independent study skills through identifying and making appropriate use of relevant secondary materials - The ability to formulate independent views and their effective expression and deployment in verbal and written form - The ability to combine a variety of IT skills in researching and reporting on a topic (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Internet, etc).

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  2

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA2132

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

• Year 3

  Core Modules

  International Placement: Languages Year Abroad (100 credits)

  ×

  International Placement: Languages Year Abroad

  Overview

  Students complete a work, volunteer or study placement in fulfilment of the residence abroad requirements of their Modern Languages degree.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:
  - Advanced linguistic skills
  - Enhanced cultural and intercultural awareness
  - An understanding of the work environment and professional skills OR an understanding of a different university system and enhanced academic skills
  - Personal development
  
  These skills will be assessed as part of the co-requisite module, either FRH3050 or SPA3050

  Skills

  Students undertaking the placement will develop their skills in the following areas: linguistic skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking); professional or academic skills; cultural and intercultural awareness; personal development.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  3

  Credits

  100

  Module Code

  MML3040

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  30 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Working and Studying Abroad (20 credits)

  ×

  Working and Studying Abroad

  Overview

  The project will require the student to reflect on their extended period of residence abroad and the skills acquired as a result. It will include a 2000-word essay in the target language or languages. There will also be an oral examination in the target language or languages to be completed in the first half of the first semester following re-enrolment into Level 3.

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of this module it is intended that you will:\n\nLinguistic Skills:\ndemonstrate advanced competence in the target language in both oral and written contexts\nbe able to understand the spoken language at near-native level\nhave developed enhanced strategies for independent language acquisition\nbe able to prepare and deliver an analytical report and oral presentation in the target language\n\nAcademic/Professional Skills\nhave demonstrated an ability to adapt to a new educational/professional context\nbe able to analyse and reflect critically on these experiences, and to communicate your conclusions orally and in writing\nhave developed an awareness and understanding of the structures and ethos of an educational institution (school/university) or workplace in a foreign country, and draw comparisons with the UK/Ireland\nhave enhanced your employability profile\n\nCultural Awareness\nhave gained an enhanced understanding of the culture and society of the foreign country through the experience of living and working/studying there\nbe able to draw comparisons with those of the UK/Ireland, and reflect critically on your own culture and society

  Skills

  have enhanced personal skills in six key areas (self-management & development, managing tasks, communication, working with others, applying knowledge, problem solving)\nbe able to articulate these skills in such a way that you are able to maximise personal development during residence abroad for your future career

  Coursework

  50%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  50%

  Stage/Level

  3

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3050

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  30 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Working and Studying Abroad (20 credits)

  ×

  Working and Studying Abroad

  Overview

  The project will require the student to reflect on their extended period of residence abroad and the skills acquired as a result. It will include a 2000-word essay in the target language or languages. There will also be an oral examination in the target language or languages to be completed in the first half of the first semester following re-enrolment into Level 3.

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of this module it is intended that you will have developed skills in the following areas: (i) Linguistic Skills: demonstrate advanced competence in the target language in both oral and written contexts; be able to understand the spoken language at near-native level; have developed enhanced strategies for independent language acquisition; be able to prepare and deliver an analytical report and oral presentation in the target language (ii) Academic/Professional Skills: have demonstrated an ability to adapt to a new educational/professional context; be able to analyse and reflect critically on these experiences, and to communicate your conclusions orally and in writing; have developed an awareness and understanding of the structures and ethos of an educational institution (school/university) or workplace in a foreign country, and draw comparisons with the UK/Ireland; have enhanced your employability profile (iii) Cultural Awareness: have gained an enhanced understanding of the culture and society of the foreign country through the experience of living and working/studying there; be able to draw comparisons with those of the UK/Ireland, and reflect critically on your own culture and society.

  Skills

  At the end of the module, it is intended that you will: have enhanced personal skills in six key areas (self-management & development, managing tasks, communication, working with others, applying knowledge, problem solving); be able to articulate these skills in such a way that you are able to maximise personal development during residence abroad for your future career.

  Coursework

  50%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  50%

  Stage/Level

  3

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH3050

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  30 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Optional

• Year 4

  Core Modules

  French 3 (40 credits)

  ×

  French 3

  Overview

  Building on skills acquired at level 2, this module aims to develop the skills and understanding required to deal with a broad variety of language tasks. Linguistic, sociolinguistic and cultural awareness will be consolidated and deepened. The module will contain the following elements:
  
  1. Written Language Skills (2 hours per week) which will offer students an opportunity to enrich their linguistic skills, consolidate grammatical awareness and develop facility in handling the structures of standard, modern French, across a variety of genres, by means of practical engagement with a range of texts carefully selected for both their linguistic interest (varying in style and register) and the insights they offer into aspects of contemporary France and the Francophone world. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, fluent and idiomatic expression, and linguistic flair. A variety of language acquisition and development methods will be employed: grammar practice, editing work, essay-writing, translation into English and into French.
  
  2. Spoken Language (1 hour per week), which will focus on aspects of contemporary France and the Francophone world, with the aim of training students to speak accurately and fluently in French, to express a range of different ideas and opinions, and to organise material logically and coherently when presenting. This component of the module includes a presentation and extended discussion.
  
  3. Contextual Study (1hr per week). This component, which will vary across the two semesters, will deepen and contextualise the other elements of the module by placing them in a broader cultural context and will include, for example, literary texts, films, art and linguistics. A specific languages for special purposes strands equip students in law or business with skills for legal and professional contexts. This element includes an essay in the target language.

  Learning Outcomes

  Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the modules students should:
  1) be able to demonstrate a high level of fluency, accuracy and spontaneity in written and oral French, including the use of a broad variety of linguistic structures and vocabulary;
  2) be able to deal with a broad variety of material in the target language, including material which is complex and abstract, and which involves a variety of genres and registers; 3) be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the structures of the language and their broader linguistic context and the ability to use appropriate reference works effectively;
  4) be able to structure and present arguments at a high level in a range of formats and registers.

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: Communication skills; translation skills; textual analysis; essay writing; lexicographical skills; IT skills; presentation skills; employability skills, such as report writing and editing skills; problem solving and critical thinking.

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  FRH3101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Spanish 3 (40 credits)

  ×

  Spanish 3

  Overview

  Building on skills acquired at level 2, and during residence abroad, this module aims to develop advanced competence in the target language. Linguistic, sociolinguistic and cultural awareness will be consolidated and deepened. The module will contain the following elements:
  1. Text- based work in the target language (1 hour per week)
  This contact hour is centred upon skills in persuasive and report writing, drawing upon a variety of contemporary source texts in Spanish, which are grouped thematically. A range of language acquisition and development methods will be employed: group discussion, reading and critical analysis, summary & paraphrase and responsive writing.
  2. Translation into English (1 hour per week)
  Students will build upon translation skills embedded at Levels 1 and 2 to deepen their ability to respond to a range of source text types of an advanced level of difficulty, grouped according to the course themes as for Hour 1. They will also develop editing skills and improve their expression in English.
  3. Contextual study (1 hour per week)
  The research led strand will introduce students to literary, cultural and historical source material from Spain and Latin America, deepening and contextualising the linguistic elements of the module by placing them in a broader socio-historical context.
  4. Conversation class (1 hour per week)
  Conversation class is led by a native speaker of Spanish and complements the content of the Language Hour. Students will meet in small groups to discuss, debate, and present on the main themes of the course

  Learning Outcomes

  On Successful completion of the Module Students should:
  
  1) Be able to demonstrate a high level of fluency, accuracy and spontaneity in their written and spoken Spanish, including the use of a broad variety of linguistic structures and vocabulary, congruent with carrying out activities in Spanish in a professional environment
  2) Be able to deal with a broad variety of material in the target language, including material which is complex and abstract, and which involves a variety of genres, dialects and registers;
  3) Be able to synthesise knowledge, identify key points, and structure and present arguments at a high level in a range of formats and registers

  Skills

  On successful completion of the modules students should have developed the following range of skills: Advanced skills in translation and textual analysis; the ability to argue at length and in detail about a topic in both Spanish & English, lexicographical skills; report writing skills; IT skills; presentation skills; spoken language skills

  Coursework

  35%

  Examination

  40%

  Practical

  25%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  40

  Module Code

  SPA3101

  Teaching Period

  Full Year

  Duration

  24 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  Yes

  Core/Optional

  Core

  Optional Modules

  Contemporary Francophone Chinese Fiction (20 credits)

  ×

  Contemporary Francophone Chinese Fiction

  Overview

  The course focuses on an emerging field of Francophone Studies interested in Chinese-born artists and their use of French as the medium for their works, including novels, plays, poetry, paintings, calligraphy, films and essays. They reveal a unique perspective on the themes of migration, exile and identity, while raising questions about language, translation and minority literature. Situated between two cultures, these works are also considered in the light of East-West power relations, notably relating to theories in Orientalism and Chinese overseas writing.

  Learning Outcomes

  It is intended that students, by the end of this module, will:
  - be able to debate various perspectives relating to migration, exile and identity in the four primary works;
  - have a critical awareness of the historical and cultural backgrounds of the works;
  - possess knowledge of the artists and apply relevant biographical information to analyses;
  - be able to construct and sustain an argument providing appropriate examples and drawing on relevant critical and theoretical material.

  Skills

  Students will develop useful transferable skills in the areas of participation in discussion, debate and communicating ideas effectively to a small group.
  They will be able to argue a point of view with the aid of relevant examples and referring to secondary materials.
  They will become familiar with the retrieval of information from a range of sources, including the library.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH3029

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  2666 by Roberto Bolaño (20 credits)

  ×

  2666 by Roberto Bolaño

  Overview

  This module gives students the opportunity to engage with one of the so-called ‘classics’ of contemporary Hispanic literature. It is hoped that reading Roberto Bolaño’s novel 2666, which extends to almost 1000 pages, will prove a challenging yet rewarding experience for final year students. The course will require students to embark on a semester long endeavour to develop a comprehensive understanding of the novel and its complexities. Students will be required to compile an annotated bibliography, consisting of 6 journal articles or chapters, in preparation for writing an essay on a question that they will set, in consultation with the lecturer, on a topic of their choosing. At least two of the texts discussed in the annotated bibliography must be written in Spanish. This module is designed to introduce students to some of the skills they would need to undertake an independent research project.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the course, student should:
  
  • Be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of the text 2666 and identify suitable evidence from the text to construct an argument on a given topic
  • Understand the range of critical debates surrounding the text and use evidence from secondary literature to construct an argument
  • Have an understanding of the various contexts to which the novel refers
  • Have demonstrated the ability to read and understand works of fiction and academic criticism in Spanish.

  Skills

  On successful completion of the course, student should be able to:
  • Conduct a simple literature search and be familiar with resources such as JSTOR, Project Muse and SciELO
  • Select the most relevant sources from a wide selection available
  • Summarise and evaluate secondary academic literature with particular attention to whether it is useful in addressing a particular question
  • At an advanced level students should be able to point out problems or gaps in scholarly literature and analysis
  • Begin to formulate research question(s) based on reading primary and secondary literature.
  • Construct an argument based around a research question
  • Use evidence from primary and secondary literature to construct an argument
  • Be able to acknowledge differing opinions found in secondary sources
  • Interpret a literary text recognising nuance and ambiguity

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3004

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Home Matters: Space, Gender and Identity in 19th-Century France and Belgium (20 credits)

  ×

  Home Matters: Space, Gender and Identity in 19th-Century France and Belgium

  Overview

  This interdisciplinary course focuses on the home in literature, art and architecture in 19th-century France and Belgium. Drawing upon a series of 19th-century artworks, poetry, prose, domestic advice manuals, magazines, housing plans and other artefacts, we will question how domestic space was configured and represented.
  
  In particular, we will consider how issues of gender and class are articulated via divisions and tensions around space. Our discussion will centre firstly on the construction of the modern city, with a particular emphasis on housing in Paris and Brussels. We will draw upon a series of 19th-century and present-day critics (eg. Duranty, Benjamin, Bachelard, Marcus, Heynen) to interrogate the relationship between the home and its inhabitant in the age of modernity. We will then apply this contextual and theoretical knowledge to a series of case studies in three distinct fields: literature, art and architecture.
  
  In literature, we will discuss the poetry of Charles Baudelaire and Max Elskamp, together with extracts from Balzac’s novels; in art, we will consider the Impressionist paintings of Mary Cassatt, Gustave Caillebotte and Berthe Morisot and, in architecture, we will study Henry van de Velde’s own home Bloemenwerf House, a gesamtkunstwerk, which sought to exemplify artistic and social unity at the turn of the century.
  
  Prescribed material: class dossier (available on Canvas)

  Learning Outcomes

  At the end of this course, students will:
  
  1. Have acquired an in-depth understanding of the socio-political and cultural context of nineteenth-century France and Belgium.
  
  2.Be familiar with a wide range of 19th-century texts, paintings and media.
  
  3. Be able to engage with the work of different theorists in Art History, Literature, Cultural Studies, Material Culture and Architecture.
  
  4. Know how to compare the works of artists, architects, designers and writers.
  
  5. Be able to analyse works of art and literature in detail.
  
  6.Understand the importance of interdisciplinary methodologies in learning about the past.

  Skills

  Close textual analysis.
  
  Close visual analysis.
  
  Comparative analysis.
  
  Interdisciplinary analysis.
  
  Critical engagement.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH3037

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Spanish Enlightenment (20 credits)

  ×

  The Spanish Enlightenment

  Overview

  The module looks at the literature and history of Spain between 1700 and 1814, when the war of independence finished. It concentrates especially on the reign of Carlos III, which opened the doors of the nations to modernity.

  Learning Outcomes

  To familarise students with the principal ideas of the enlightenment and to assess their impact on the development of Spanish history; to enable students to trace XIX and XX century cultural and political conflicts back to their XVIII century roots.

  Skills

  To situate literature in its historical and political context;critical reading of texts leading to a deeper understanding of literary strategy; analysis of the interplay between the history of ideas and politics.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3022

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Caribbean Cultures (20 credits)

  ×

  Caribbean Cultures

  Overview

  An exploration of the development of Caribbean literature in French in the latter half of the twentieth century. The module is studied through representative prescribed texts and other source material.

  Learning Outcomes

  To develop an awareness of the history of French colonialism and slavery, and of their continuing importance in contemporary society. A critical understanding of how the need to assert a sense of personal and/or collective identity is reflected in the texts studied. A sense of the rapid development of a relatively new literary tradition in the Caribbean islands.

  Skills

  Marshalling and synthesising diverse material. Skills in written and oral expression and close textual analysis.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH3024

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Imperfect Heroines: Spanish Fiction in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries (20 credits)

  ×

  Imperfect Heroines: Spanish Fiction in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

  Overview

  This module will look at fictional works featuring female protagonists in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Spanish fiction, starting with the Romantic period and ending around 1975. Through studying a group of fictional works together with a selection of essays and non-fictional writing from the same authors, the module will consider how women have been portrayed as individuals and how they have been typecast. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches were justified, how they related to other contemporary concerns and debates, and how they evolved over time, from Romanticism’s ideal woman, to the gender conventions of the Restoration, the ‘mujer nueva’ of the fin de siglo, or the ‘chica rara’ of Francoist Spain. Texts studied will be subject to availability and may include Espronceda’s El estudiante de Salamanca, Alas’s La Regenta, Pardo Bazán’s Memorias de un solterón, Chacel’s Memorias de Leticia Valle, Quiroga’s Tristura, or Martín Gaíte’s El cuarto de atrás.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
  -demonstrate a broad understanding of the major developments in Spanish literature from the 1830s to the 1970s;
  -demonstrate broad knowledge of the major political and social developments of this period;
  -demonstrate detailed knowledge of the primary texts;
  -analyse literary fiction in terms of socio-political context;
  -effectively summarize and critically evaluate theoretical and abstract arguments while demonstrating an awareness of the context in which they were produced;
  -identify a work of literary fiction that meets specific criteria and compile a bibliography of academic studies on that text

  Skills

  On successful completion of this module, students should have demonstrated:
  -information processing skills, through surveying, evaluating, comparing and synthesizing information from a broad range of sources relating to Spanish literary, political and social history, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries;
  -the ability to present clear and convincing arguments with appropriate and cogent use of evidence from primary and secondary sources, through oral discussions in the classroom and written work submitted for formal assessment;
  -independent study and research skills, by carrying out independent bibliographical searches and presenting findings in a scholarly fashion

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3054

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  The Structure of Modern French (20 credits)

  ×

  The Structure of Modern French

  Overview

  An exploration of the linguistic structure of contemporary French.This module will look at key elements in French syntax and lexis, notably word order, tense and aspect, as well as neologisms and borrowings. We will analyse and evaluate different theoretical approaches to problematic issues in these areas.

  Learning Outcomes

  To acquire a detailed critical understanding of the linguistic structure of contemporary French, particularly as regards major areas of syntax (tense, word order) and lexis (neologisms, borrowings).

  Skills

  Marshalling and synthesising diverse material; critical awareness; skills in written and oral expression and close textual analysis.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  FRH3015

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Afterlives of the Empire: Decolonisation in the Portuguese-speaking World (20 credits)

  ×

  Afterlives of the Empire: Decolonisation in the Portuguese-speaking World

  Overview

  This module aims at discussing decolonisation (from political and military to cultural; from the 1970s to present day), and its effects in contemporary Portugal and in the former Portuguese colonies in Africa through a critical study of the end of the empire and its aftermath. Focusing on specific
  
  themes and case studies, the module will enable students to become familiar with relevant postcolonial and decolonial theoretical approaches and use them in the in-depth study of different types of primary sources (e.g. film, biography, speeches, literary text, photography, posters, music). Although the detail of the programme may be subject to variation, the topics for discussion are likely to include the following: representation, self-representation, race, gender, identity, heroic reputations, citizenship and nationalism.

  Learning Outcomes

  On successful completion of the module students should be able to: - Demonstrate a deep knowledge and understanding of the specific topics studied; - Employ relevant theoretical and analytical approaches to the reading of primary sources; - Demonstrate the ability to analyse primary source materials; - Discuss key topics in a critical and analytical way, and build a coherent argument, both orally and in written form; - Demonstrate the ability to work efficiently in collaboration with colleagues; - Demonstrate an ability to summarise and critically engage with scholarship on the area of study; - Identify and develop relevant topics for independent research and study, with the support of the tutor.

  Skills

  On successful completion of this module students should have demonstrated: - Interpretive and analytical skills through the study of postcoloniality and decoloniality in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa; - Organisational skills through their use of non-contact time to effectively prepare for classes and assessment; - Oral and written communication skills through class discussion and presentations; - Independent study skills through identifying and using relevant secondary reading material; - The ability to formulate independent views and their effective expression and deployment in verbal and written form.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3132

  Teaching Period

  Autumn

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional

  Rewriting Love in the Renaissance (20 credits)

  ×

  Rewriting Love in the Renaissance

  Overview

  This course will explore the development of the amorous lyric in Golden Age Spain through the study both of major and minor writers of that period. Close readings of these poets will raise questions about poetic canons, intertextuality and the practice of imitation in the Renaissance, relations between poetry and nationality. Emphasis will be placed upon the function of classical mythology both as allusive reference highlighting individual poetic concerns and as social indicator reflecting Spain's changing perception of its place in the World.

  Learning Outcomes

  To familiarise students with a crucial period of Spain's cultural history, a detailed critical understanding of the work of representative poets.

  Skills

  Enhanced appreciation of an important literary genre of Golden Age Spain, close reading skills; the ability to relate poetic texts to a cultural context and developing tradition.

  Coursework

  100%

  Examination

  0%

  Practical

  0%

  Stage/Level

  4

  Credits

  20

  Module Code

  SPA3021

  Teaching Period

  Spring

  Duration

  12 weeks

  Pre-requisite

  No

  Core/Optional

  Optional