Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module SPAN2201: Hispanic Texts
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Spanish)
SPAN2201: Hispanic Texts
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Spanish Language 1A (SPAN1011) OR Spanish Language 1B (SPAN1072), OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chair of the Board of Studies in MLAC or their representative.
Corequisites
- Modern Languages & Cultures, Liberal Arts/Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Spanish Language 2A (SPAN2011) or Spanish Language 2B (SPAN2111). Other: see Chair of the Board of Studies in MLAC or their representative.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- SPAN2071 and SPAN2081
Aims
- To develop students' understanding of Spanish and Latin American culture through the study of literature and film from various periods.
Content
- A range of texts from the thirteenth to the twenty-first century are studied, from Spain and Latin America, to allow for contrastive study across periods and geographies as well as the analysis of cultural conventions across 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 this module, students will 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:
- By the end of this module, students will have acquired the skills with which to analyse and to interpret the development of the culture produced in Spain and Latin America through the analysis and interpretation of literature with some reference to film and other forms of artistic representation.
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
- A weekly general lecture will deliver key information on the module; a fortnightly seminar with smaller groups will allow for individual presentations, active discussions and writing of learning journals.
- There will be four summative exercises throughout the year, two during the Michaelmas Term and two during the Epiphany Term.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 Hour | 20 | |
| Seminars | 10 | Fortnightly | 1 Hour | 10 | Yes ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Essay | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Essay | Essay 1: 2000 words | 50% | |
| Essay | Essay 2: 2000 words | 50% | |
| Component: Learning Journals | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Notebook Journal | Learning Journal Entries (Term 1): 4 entries (200 words each) | 50% | |
| Notebook Journal | Learning Journal Entries (Term 2): 4 entries (200 words each) | 50% | |
Formative Assessment:
None.
■ 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.