BSc Spanish and English Language  

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: In this module students will work on different skills involved in language learning: from listening and speaking, to reading, writing, and translating. Relevant texts will be used in order to increase students’ awareness of Hispanic culture, economy, history and society in an attempt to learn the language in the context in which it is produced. Students will have two hours per week of scheduled interactive seminars and one hour of oral classes.

Methods of learning and teaching: Two hours per week will consist of reading comprehension, grammar consolidation, translation, debates, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary exercises. The third hour will be devoted to oral skills. Attending textual and oral skills is mandatory.

Assessment method: Oral tasks (30%), portfolio on independent learning tasks (20%), final exam (50%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The module seeks to provide students with a clear vision of Latin America. It attempts to balance the region’s general historical background with its social, cultural, political and economic developments. Particular attention will be given to the specific characteristics of each country, highlighting their differences and similarities. Students will also be introduced to Latin America’s general trends as well as to its role in the international arena.

Method of learning and teaching: A typical class will start with an introduction of the main ideas and concepts to be covered. The semester will be divided into lectures and seminars, which will focus on the most important issues introduced during the lectures. This will include a hands-on approach to the subject characterised by discussions and group activities.

Assessment method: 800 word research exercise (30%), exam (70%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The module seeks to provide students with an introductive overview of contemporary Latin American culture. It will introduce students to works of Latin American art, cinema, literature and architecture, as well as other relevant art forms, including music, dance, popular festivals, etc. All these will be discussed within their social, political, and historical contexts.

Method of learning and teaching: There will be a weekly lecture in Spanish followed by a seminar in which students are expected to contribute through discussions, presentations and team work. Students will be required to do some readings or viewings in advance in order to be prepared for the seminars.

Assessment method: Oral Presentation (20%), exam (80%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The first part of the module aims to provide students with an understanding of the main processes and protagonists contributing to the development of a modern, prosperous democracy in Spain. It will focus on the political, ideological and economic changes which shaped the transition from dictatorship to democracy.

The second part offers an overview of Spanish culture through literature, cinema, art and music. Topics such as Spanish national identity and the recovery of the past will be examined in order to understand the key factors which have shaped Spanish culture. The course will provide students with the tools required for critical analysis of distinct cultural expressions.

Methods of learning and teaching: Students will attend weekly two-hour sessions, comprising a more formal lecture and a seminar. In lectures, students will be presented with the historic, social and cultural framework of the module. Seminars will be student-led. Students are expected to work in teams; prepare prescribed topics for debate and discussion; and to use their linguistic skills in a formal context.

Assessment method: Written exams (70%), research task (30%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: In this module, students look at how words are used in written and spoken texts to create meanings, and use dictionaries, corpus analysis and other practical techniques to understand the processes involved, and to analyse words in different ways.

Method of learning and teaching:
Practical exercises Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations Discussions and questions.

Assessment method: Portfolio (30%), and exam (70%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: This module introduces you to the basics of one model of grammar: Systemic Functional Grammar, including key concepts and terms. It also involves practical workshop activities where you apply in practice what you have learnt in theory.

Method of learning and teaching:
Practical exercises Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations Discussions and questions.

Assessment method: Exam (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module looks at language as it is employed for a variety of purposes in both private and public contexts. It also extends methods of communication to cover non-verbal means whereby messages are conveyed, as substitutes for and supplements to the use of words. Topic areas to be covered will include paralinguistics in interaction and in texts (links between image, gesture and word), language and technology, media language and the language of interpersonal communication.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Lecture-type presentations

• Practical exercises

• Work in pairs and groups

• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 2500-3000 word group project (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module takes a ‘problem-solving’ perspective, locating the study of the English language within an applied linguistic concern for issues ‘in the world’ where language is implicated. It introduces a range of domains in which language itself is a matter of controversy, as well as exploring the concepts needed for informed analysis of the issues at stake. Each week, a specific domain of language practice will be discussed.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 1500-2000 word assignment (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module takes a ‘problem-solving’ perspective, locating the study of the English language within an applied linguistic concern for issues ‘in the world’ where language is implicated. It introduces a range of domains in which language itself is a matter of controversy, as well as exploring the concepts needed for informed analysis of the issues at stake. Each week, a specific domain of language practice will be discussed.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: Attendance and participation (20%), 1500-2000 word assignment (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: Students will develop an understanding of the interaction between social factors and the language(s) spoken in a given society. They will become familiar with a range of theoretical frameworks for the study of the relationship between language and society, and also acquire the theoretical and descriptive apparatus to enable them to carry out analyses of specific data sets.

Method of learning and teaching: 

• Practical exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups, including presentations
• Discussions and questions

Method of assessment: Attendance and participation (20%), 1000-1500 proposed research project (80%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: This module aims to develop proficiency in written and spoken Spanish to a standard that enables the student to communicate effectively and confidently with Spanish native speakers and sustain a work or study placement in a Spanish-speaking country. Students will work on the different skills involved in language learning: from listening and speaking to reading, writing, and translating. Relevant texts will be used, in order to increase students’ awareness of Hispanic culture, economy, history and society to learn the language in the context in which it is used. 

Method of learning and teaching: Weekly classes of three hours in Spanish, group work, individual work, role-play, presentations, independent study.

Assessment method: Dossier on independent learning tasks (20%), oral tasks (30%), exam (50%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The module aims to chart the trajectory of Spanish politics, economy, society and art since 1975. We will study the political process which led Spain to become a Parliamentary Monarchy after a military dictatorship in a reasonably non-violent atmosphere. We will pay particular attention to the role of democratic Spain in the European Union but will also look at other international connections.

Method of learning and teaching: The method will consist of a lecture and a seminar. The lecture will be an introduction to political, economic, social and artistic issues, providing a context for more specific studies. The seminars will be dedicated to deepening students' understanding of issues presented in lectures, consolidating their familiarisation with the relevant vocabulary and developing oral skills. Seminars will provide a framework where students can express their opinions, interests, comments and conclusions about different topics in a very active way. So, discussions, team work and an open mind are essential requirements to make the most of each seminar.

Assessment method: Report (30%), exam (70%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The module seeks to provide the student with an in depth understanding of contemporary Latin America. It will focus on the region’s most recent social, cultural, political and economic developments. Particular attention will be given to the specific characteristics of each country, highlighting their differences and similarities. Students will also be introduced to general trends of Latin America as well as to its role in the international arena.

Methods of learning and teaching: There will be a weekly lecture in Spanish followed by a seminar in which students are expected to contribute with discussions, presentations and team work. Students will be required to do some readings or viewings in advance in order to be prepared for the seminars.

Assessment method: Class participation (20%), exam (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: The module focuses on the role of Spanish around the world. It deals with various linguistic and cultural issues related to several Spanish-speaking communities in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Topics include: standard peninsular Spanish, varieties of peninsular Spanish, standard varieties of Spanish in Latin American, other varieties of Spanish in Latin America, Spanish in the US, Spanish in contact with other languages (Arabic, Catalan, English, French, German, Quechua, etc.). 

Method of learning and teaching: There will be a weekly lecture in Spanish followed by a seminar in which students are expected to contribute with discussions, presentations and team work. Students will be required to do some readings or viewings in advance in order to be prepared for the seminars.

Assessment method: Dossier on seminar tasks (20%), exam (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: This module focuses on the role of journalism as a cultural practice in the Hispanic world, analysing the impact that media may have upon society and exploring various ways in which journalists’ coverage of events not merely reflects the social world but helps constitute and shape it. After an introductory session to Spanish-speaking media today, the first part of the module focuses on a range of journalistic practices and genres, introducing students to different styles of writing for journalists and to the challenges of producing an accurate, readable narrative including examples from print and broadcast journalism. The second part provides a historical perspective on media in Spain and Latin America, followed by a concentrated study of the debates and controversies surrounding journalism and its relationship with society.

Methods of learning and teaching: This module will be delivered by weekly lectures and group seminars. In part A of the syllabus, lectures seek to explore the skills involved in writing for publication in different journalistic genres and the industrial context in which journalists work, whereas seminars will be practical workshops in which students learn to develop specialist writing skills for print and broadcast journalism. In part B of the syllabus, lectures will provide the theoretical framework necessary for students’ understanding of the debates concerned, while seminars will be forums for students’ presentations and for analyses of different news coverage on newspapers, radio and television.

Assessment method: Class test (60%), oral presentation (40%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: Topics covered include: What is research?; Action Research and Ethnography; Collecting spoken data; Transcribing data; Using electronic resources; Questionnaires; Ethical issues in research; Reading week; Quantitative Analysis; Writing a research report; Review of the Module.

Method of learning and teaching: 

• lecture-type presentation

• practical exercises

• work in pairs or groups,

• discussions and questions

Assessment method: Students will be required to submit a completed task or tasks totalling the equivalent of 1,800 words. The nature of the task or tasks will be notified in week 3, and may include exercises in areas such as the specification of a research question, outline research design, transcript analysis, the manipulation of qualitative and quantitative data, and/orshort answer responses to set questions. (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module aims toinvestigate the ways in which English functions in society; to introduce you to phonology; and to introduce you to research methods in sociolinguistics.

It covers topics such as : contemporary accents and dialects of English in England; varieties of English across the world; Global English and written and spoken English,  within the context of variation theory and other sociolinguistic theories.

Method of learning and teaching: Students are expected to familiarise themselves quickly with the general literature, and then go on to more specialised reading in preparation for their own investigation based upon fieldwork. In weeks 1-10 there will be a lecture, followed by (e-)seminars. Week 11 is reserved for Fieldwork and Week 12 for individual Consultations (appointments on demand during normal session hours).

Assessment method: 1,500 word analysis of spoken data, accompanied by a 500 word transcript (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module aims to introduce you to the ways in which media texts both reflect and construct our social practice and values. It addresses a range of issues, such as what makes something newsworthy, whether there is objectivity in news reporting, whether different social groups are equally represented in mass media texts, and what part visual images and layout play in our media messages; and it introduces you to a variety of methods for describing and critically evaluating media texts in relation to these issues.

Method of learning and teaching: Weekly core readings will be assigned and supporting readings recommended to enable students to familiarise themselves with and consolidate their understanding of concepts introduced in lectures. Workshops will be devoted to practising analytical skills and discussing the implications of the practical descriptions that are produced. Weeks 11 and 12 are set aside for work towards the module assessment, a case study (based on an analysis of independently collected data) of a topic agreed in consultation with the tutor.

Assessment method: Participation in workshop exercises and contributions to discussion (20%). 2,000 – 2,500 word case study on a topic agreed in guided consultation with the tutor (80%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This is an introductory course to TESOL. By the end of the module, the students will have become aware of the basic requirements of a teacher of English to speakers of other languages. They will have had the chance to develop some of the skills necessary for the TESOL teacher. The emphasis will be on developing the skills, organisational and pedagogical, which will allow them to teach or tutor their specialism.  The areas covered will be course and syllabus design, materials evaluation and preparation, strategies for teaching lexis and grammar, lesson planning, delivery and evaluation.

Method of learning and teaching:  

• Lesson planning, practice and evaluation

• Materials design and evaluation

Assessment method: Group work (50%), open book written exam (50%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: This module further develops and consolidates the Spanish language skills acquired during the three previous years of study and, if applicable, work placement. At the end of the module, students will have reached a proficiency level equivalent to a high C1/low C2 scale as defined by the European Common Framework for Languages. The module will cover linguistic, sociolinguistic and pragmatic components corresponding to this level of communicative language competence.

Students will also have the opportunity to reflect on their professional skills as they develop their video project. In order to do this, they will create and publish online an e-Portfolio targeting prospective employers.

Methods of learning and teaching: Students will attend weekly two-hour sessions in which they will explore and work on all aspects of communicative language competence development. Each week, students will have to complete a series of exercises related to the topics studied in class. In addition to this, students are also expected to work independently using the resources available at the Cadbury Room, L&T support office, and the university’s library (i.e.: DVDs, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.).

Assessment method: E-portfolio (25%), video production (25%), exams (50%).

Number of credits: 20

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: In this module the student will research a chosen topic, agreed with the supervisor and the Module Convenor. The research may be on any subject considered appropriate for research at final year level within the Spanish Studies programme. Students will be expected to identify their own topic and approach. There will be maximum encouragement of individual initiative and research, while supervisors will encourage the exchange and construction of ideas, the development of a hypothesis where appropriate, and advice on dissertation organisation and presentation. 

Method of learning and teaching: Plenary sessions will provide information on the expectations for an LTS dissertation and viva and will present objectives, methodology, and a timetable for the module. These sessions will be supplemented by individual and group meetings between supervisors and students. It is the responsibility of the student to comply with deadlines set by the supervisor.

Assessment method: 5000-6000 word dissertation and 300 word abstract  in the target language (70%). 20-minute viva (30%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish

Module content: This module will consist of the analysis of literary works belonging to different genres, countries and periods in the 20^th century. This variety will provide a glimpse of the richness and variety of contemporary literature in Spanish. Works will cover the three main literary genres: prose, poetry and drama, and will be presented in a chronological order. Spain, Central America and South America will have a relevant presence in the module.

Method of learning and teaching: The method will consist of a lecture and a seminar. The lecture will be devoted to introductions of cultural contexts, authors’ biographical notes and main issues regarding the texts. It will be also a question time for students to deepen on the reality of a country and/or an author. The seminar is meant to focus on the text; that is why, students must read the texts in advance as part of their private study. Seminars will provide a framework where students can express their opinions, interests, comments and conclusions about the texts in a very active way. So, discussions, team work and open mind are essential requirements to make the most of the seminar. Therefore, students will consolidate their familiarization with literature and develop oral skills.

Assessment method: Four short reports (40%), essay (60%).

Number of credits: 10

Language of delivery: Spanish 

Module content: The module focuses on the cinemas of Latin America and Spain. The module begins with a brief examination of film techniques and language, followed by a concentrated study of contemporary cinematic trends (80s, 90s, 00s). The module attempts, in the limited time of one teaching period, to trace a continuum of representative styles, genres and themes and to expose the student to a sizeable repertoire of artistically rich films.

Method of learning and teaching: The class will consist of an introduction by the lecturer to the concepts to be covered every week, followed by a brief segment devoted to clarifying any problems encountered while doing the pre-assigned readings and films (private study) for the weekly class meetings.  Usually the second half of the class meetings will have a Seminar format with the goal of focusing in more depth on some of the issues reviewed in Lectures and including a hands-on approach to the subject such as an in-depth discussion of the movies and readings assigned.  Discussions and team-work will be a crucial component of the Seminar format. Films are available in LSS Film Library for preparation and private study.

Assessment method: Six reports (40%), essay (60%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: In this module, students learn the key concepts and terminology of corpus linguistics and how to use corpus tools to conduct research into language in use, and look at some areas of applied linguistics in which corpora are used, such as lexicography, pedagogy, and translation.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Practial exercises
• Individual work and work in pairs or groups
• Discussions and questions

Assessment method: 2000 assignment (50%), practical project report (50%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module will provide an introduction to key approaches to the analysis of authentic spoken language in interaction.It will give you an overview of how conversations are ‘constructed’ and the relationship between what is said and what is meant, as well as some of the ways in which these two crucial aspects vary according to context and culture. It will therefore equip you to describe and evaluate a range of types of spoken text in English, and will enable you to anticipate and resolve issues of data collection and transcription, including ethical considerations.

Method of learning and teaching: Lecture, seminar, e-seminar, project preparation with consultation.

Assessment method: 2500 word research project (100%).

Number of credits: 10

Module content: This module will focus on one specialist area of Applied Linguistics, the application of the tools and techniques of language description to spoken and written texts which have a significance in court cases. The module will look at topics such as: techniques for authorship attribution; questions of copyright and the detection of plagiarism; disputed police records of interview and confession; suspect suicide notes; and anonymous letters.

Method of learning and teaching: Lecture, workshop analysis and discussion, project preparation with consultation.

Assessment method: Participation in workshop exercises and contributions to discussion (20%), 3,000 word research project (80%).

Number of credits: 20

Module content: This course aims to enable students to research in significant depth a topic in English Language, and address, elaborate and apply key concepts used in the linguistic analysis of discourse, in professional, social, educational and/or cultural institutions and contexts. The dissertation allows students to undertake supervised research on a topic that is new to them. It is the longest and most sustained piece of research undertaken in the English Language part of their degree programme.

Method of learning and teaching:

• Research supervision meetings as indicated throughout Teaching Periods 1 and 2, as decided by supervisor and student.

• Students are expected to familiarise themselves quickly with the general literature and sources relating to their area, and then go on to more specialised reading in preparation of their chosen topic.

• Throughout the two Teaching Periods, the supervisor will provide advice on the dissertation.

Assessment method: Dissertation, 4,000-6,000 words (80%); research Proposal (20%).