Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025
Module SPAN3011: Spanish Language 4
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish)
SPAN3011: Spanish Language 4
Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2024/2025 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
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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.
- The teaching and resources in this module reflect a commitment to linguistic and cultural diversity. It positions the richness of the (language area)-speaking world at the core of its syllabus.
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: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 20% | ||
---|---|---|---|
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
Written Assignment | 75% | ||
Oral presentation | 10 minutes | 25% | |
Component: Written Examination | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
Written examination (in person) | 2 hours | 100% | Yes |
Component: Oral Assessment | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
Oral examination (in person) | 10 minutes | 100% | Yes |
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