Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2014-2015 (archived)

Module SPAN2081: SPANISH TEXTS

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish)

SPAN2081: SPANISH TEXTS

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2014/15 Module Cap 84 Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Spanish Language 1A (SPAN1011) OR Spanish Language 1B (SPAN1072), OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Spanish Language 4 (SPAN3011) or Spanish Language following Year Abroad (SPAN3211)

Aims

  • To develop students' understanding of Peninsular Spanish culture through the study of literature and film from various periods.

Content

  • A range of texts from the Middle ages to the late 20th Century are studied, selected to allow for contrastive study across periods and for the analysis of the working of convention in different historical contexts.
  • Texts from various media are included: narrative, drama, poetry and film.
  • Areas of study are amplified at fourth year level in specialised courses.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should have learnt to appreciate the historical and intellectual background that shapes cultural production and to offer interpretations of the ways in which texts deal with issues.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • This module aims to enable students to acquire the skills with which to analyse and to interpret the development of Spanish culture from the Middle Ages to the present through the analysis and interpretation of literature with some reference to film.
Key Skills:
  • To structure ideas and arguments in written work
  • To use secondary material appropriately and effectively
  • To think independently
  • Time-management skills

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

  • There will be a weekly lecture and a fortnightly seminar (in which students will be divided into smaller groups) in the Michaelmas and Epiphany terms as well as short tutorials based on written work. Classes will be given in English.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Seminars 10 Fortnightly 1 hour 10
Preparation and Reading 169
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative Essay Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Summative Essay 2,000 words 100% Yes
Component: Written Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Examination 2 hours 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

None


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