Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module SPAN3011: SPANISH LANGUAGE 4

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish)

SPAN3011: SPANISH LANGUAGE 4

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

  • At least one additional level 3 module in Hispanic Studies

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • 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 have:
  • Detailed practical and analytical knowledge and effective understanding of the lexis, structures, registers, and varieties of Spanish (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • The ability to demonstrate a reasoned awareness and a critical, comparative understanding of the culture and society of the country or countries in which Spanish is used.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module students should have:
  • The ability to communicate fluently and appropriately, maintaining a high degree of grammatical accuracy, in writing and in speech, with other users of Spanish (equivalent to CEFR level C1/C2).
  • The ability to understand and analyse written and spoken discourse in Spanish, and to mediate between languages.
  • Experience of independent research, including the ability to identify, evaluate, and organise relevant primary and secondary cultural material.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module the students should be able to demonstrate:
  • The ability to identify, describe, and analyse problems of language use in general, and work out strategies for interpretation.
  • The ability to communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, devise and sustain coherent and cogent arguments.
  • The ability to employ the sophisticated reading skills they have acquired to gather, sift, process, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources (print-media, audio-visual, and electronic).
  • Responsiveness to the disciplines of working alone, and with others as part of a group.
  • The ability to write and think under pressure and to manage time.
  • The ability to demonstrate a high degree of agility and flexibility in the work place, a skill derived from their experience of the wide diversity of techniques required to pursue the programme successfully.

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 SLAT hours 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assessment Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of written skills 25% No
Written examination 2 hours 75% No
Component: Oral Assessment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Continuous assessment of oral skills 25% No
Oral examination 15 minutes 75% 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