Undergraduate Handbook 2026-2027
Module SPAN1191: Cultures in Context: Spanish
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish)
SPAN1191: Cultures in Context: Spanish
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 1 | 20 | Available in 2026/2027 | Durham |
Tied To
- LA01: Liberal Arts
- LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
- R002: Modern Languages and Cultures [inc. Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish] (with YA)
- RV92: Modern European Languages and History (with Year Abroad)
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- Foundations module in the same language (SPANF001 - NEW Module)
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- For post A-level (or similarly qualified) language learners to study cultural materials in their original languages.
- For students to develop further their linguistic competences through cultural study
- For students to practise producing a range of kinds of written and digital responses to cultural materials.
- For students to engage actively, critically and creatively with key issues pertaining to the study of cultures in Spanish.
Content
- Analysis of varied primary materials which may be drawn from literature, film and visual studies, music, philosophy, politics, history.
- Analysis of materials in their original language and use of target language in the classroom where appropriate.
- Scaffolding of skills appropriate to producing varied written and digital responses to cultural materials.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Understanding of the variety of primary materials studied.
- Understanding of core terms and concepts in the study of cultures.
Subject-specific Skills
- Engagement with primary materials in their original language.
- Analysis of primary materials in the target language where appropriate.
Key Skills
- Formulating responses to cultural materials in written and digital formats, using the target language where appropriate.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- This module is taught by means of a weekly lecture and fortnightly seminar. Lectures will model analysis of varied primary materials which may be drawn from literature, film, visual studies, music, philosophy, politics, history. In seminars, students will practise engaging critically and creatively with cultural materials in their original languages. Some discussion will take place in the target language when and where appropriate. Assessment will be a portfolio of written pieces and a digital oral or aural output.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly across Michaelmas and Epiphany Term | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Seminars | 10 | Fortnightly across Michaelmas and Epiphany Term | 1 hour | 10 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summative Assessments | 100% | Portfolio | Maximum 3,000 words | 50% | |
| Digital Output | Maximum 8 minutes | 50% |
Formative Assessment
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.