Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module SPAN3121: SPANISH LANGUAGE 4 FOLLOWING YEAR ABROAD

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Spanish)

SPAN3121: SPANISH LANGUAGE 4 FOLLOWING YEAR ABROAD

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Spanish Language 2A (SPAN2011) OR Spanish Language 2B (SPAN2111).

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Spanish Language 4 (SPAN3011).

Aims

  • To build and enhance the work undertaken during the Year Abroad.
  • To continue to a high level the development of language skills in spoken and written Spanish, especially the discussion of social and cultural issues and the analysis of meaning and register in short texts.

Content

  • Oral skills, especially discussion of Spanish and Latin American current affairs.
  • Writing skills: comprehension exercises, stylistic and linguistic analysis of short texts, development of grammatical knowledge, production of short essays on political/social/cultural topics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module students should:
  • understand and articulate complex arguments; appreciate and use variations of register and style; and produce syntactically accurate and idiomatically effective Spanish,
  • have enhanced their understanding of contemporary Hispanic societies and cultures by reading about and discussing a range of topics, and by having reflected on their experience abroad.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module students should be able to demonstrate an advanced level of competence in all four linguistic skills in Spanish: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Key Skills:
  • Extended development of general oral and written communication skills.
  • The ability to discuss topical or general issues with a high degree of fluency.
  • An extended ability to gather, process and evaluate critically information and evidence from a variety of sources.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • There are two one-hour classes per week. All classes will be conducted in Spanish, and will be based on authentic materials. Students are required to attend all classes and will be expected to prepare material in advance so that they are able to participate actively in discussion.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Language Classes 42 2 per week 1 hour 42
Preparation and Reading 158
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100% No
Component: Year Abroad Oral Examination Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Year Abroad Oral Examination 15 minutes 100% No
Component: Oral Examination Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral Examination 15 minutes 100% No

Formative Assessment:

Regular written assignments/oral practice.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University