School of Languages,
Cultures and Societies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Level 1 Modules
Each year students take 120 credits. Shaded modules in a blue box are core, compulsory modules.
Please note that module availability is subject to change.
Practical Language Skills in Spanish 1 (20 credits)
hone skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening to Spanish
develop fluent and accurate expression in both Spanish and English
Portuguese Language for Beginners 1A (20 credits)
produce, read, understand and translate spoken and written Portuguese
develop a wider range of Portuguese vocabulary for everyday communication
Portuguese Language for Beginners 1B (20 credits)
consolidate knowledge gained from “Portuguese 1A” to further develop language skills
appreciate the history and culture of the Portuguese-speaking world
Essay Project in Spanish (20 credits)
gain subject-specific study skills to enable you to contextualise your language studies
appreciate the role and value of academic research
Optional module list (choose 20 credits from the following):
The Historical Development of Spain and Spanish America (20 credits)
relate cultural and social manifestations to their historical context
develop skills in constructing reasoned interpretative arguments
Introduction to the Cultural Production of Spain and Spanish-America (20 credits)
critique a small number of exemplary literary works and feature films
appreciate general trends in cultural production from the regions studied
Plus 20 credits of Discovery modules – a wide range of modules across the University may be taken, including further modules in
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Level 2 Modules
Practical Language Skills in Spanish 2 (15 credits)
a practical, linguistically-orientated preparation for residence abroad
complete language learning activities and reflect upon personal language development
Portuguese Language Skills (15 credits)
examine different uses of Portuguese language and the resulting effects on register and style
assimilate written and spoken material and present it in a specific register, style and context
Term Abroad (30 credits)
study at a partner institution overseas to extend your linguistic development
travel to Léon or Granada in Spain, or Lisbon in Portugal
Students must select 30 credits from the Level 2 Spanish Optional Module List and 30 credits from the Level 2 Portuguese Optional Module
List. The modules ‘Latin America since Independence’, ‘Issues in Hispanic & Lusophone Cinema’ and ‘Linguists into Schools’ are present
on both lists, as the assessed work of these modules may be based upon Spanish or Portuguese topics. You should advise the module
convenor which language area you wish to focus upon, when you begin these modules.
Level 2 Spanish Optional Module List:
Linguists into Schools (15 credits)
complete a thirty hour work-placement in a school within our region
manage your work in cooperation with an academic tutor and school teacher
Modern Spanish-American Literature (15 credits)
review major literary texts written by modern Spanish-American authors
focus on a wide range of texts (poetry, novels and short stories)
Latin America since Independence c1800 – c1930 (15 credits)
understand the political, social and economic trajectory of Latin America (c1800 – c1930)
investigate political conflicts during periods of post-independence nation building
Translation theory and practice in a Spanish<>English Context (15 credits)
understand key terms and concepts used in text analysis for translation
apply these concepts to a detailed analysis and translation of texts from Spanish to English
The Spanish regional Melting Pot: the old same History? (15 credits)
examine the cultural and economic distinctiveness of Spain’s Autonomous Communities
understand how a politically decentralised state relates to the political history of Spain
Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Cinema (15 credits)
focus on key issues pertinent to the study of Hispanic and Lusophone cinema including genre, film adaptations and star theory
practice film criticism by responding to a precise brief with an assignment written in either Spanish or Portuguese
Modern Spain: 1868 – 1975 (15 credits)
examine the most salient political, cultural and social dimensions of modern Spain (1868-1975)
understand the processes of socioeconomic, institutional and ideological modernisation occurring in Spain during this period
Spanish Literature and Theatre (15 credits)
study a wide range of prose, poetry and theatre from the 17th century to the present day
achieve a nuanced understanding of the relationship between literature/theatre and it’s socio-historical and artistic contexts
Level 2 Portuguese Optional Module List:
Linguists into Schools (15 credits)
complete a thirty hour work-placement in a school within our region
manage your work in cooperation with an academic tutor and school teacher
Culture and Society in the Portuguese-Speaking World (15 credits)
examine key aspects of Luso-Brazilian cultural identity, including music, film and religion
explore the relationship between Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking nations in Africa
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Introduction to Literature in Portuguese (15 credits)
identify recurrent themes within Portuguese literary texts since 1840
gain a literary insight into the societies of Portugal, Brazil and Portuguese-speaking Africa
Latin America since Independence c1800 – c1930 (15 credits)
understand the political, social and economic trajectory of Latin America (c1800 – c1930)
investigate political conflicts during periods of post-independence nation building
Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Cinema (15 credits)
focus on key issues pertinent to the study of Hispanic and Lusophone cinema including genre, film adaptations and star theory
practice film criticism by responding to a precise brief with an assignment written in either Spanish or Portuguese
Year Abroad
If you spent your level two term abroad in Lisbon, you will spend this year in a Spanish-speaking country. Likewise, if you spent the level
two term abroad in Spain, you will spend this year abroad in a Portuguese-speaking country. You may express a preference for one of the
following options (please note that not all options are available in every country):
Language Assistantship Scheme: Teaching English in a School overseas.
Work Placement: subject to departmental approval, you may spend this period overseas in paid employment.
University Exchange: Studying on a University course overseas.
Upon completion of the year abroad:
make substantial linguistic progress, over a wide range of registers
hold conversations with native speakers of the language
acquire a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the host country
Level 3 Modules
Final Year Project
undertake an autonomous piece of research work (for example a dissertation, community-based project or portfolio)
implications of the project for your overall level 3 module requirements will vary according to your project and module choices
– exact arrangements will be confirmed nearer the time
Practical Language Skills in Spanish 3 (20 credits)
understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning
appreciate the effect of tone, register, structure and style in oral and written communication
Advanced Portuguese Language (20 credits)
consolidate skills in written and oral Portuguese acquired during previous studies
develop further skills in translation, summarizing and oral presentation
Students must select 40 credits from the Level 3 Spanish Optional Module List and 40 credits from the Level 3 Portuguese Optional Module
List. The modules ‘Extended Essay’, ‘Dissertation’, and ‘From Toussaint to Obama: Resistance in the African Diaspora’ are present on both
lists, as the assessed work of these modules may be based upon Spanish or Portuguese topics. You should advise the module convenor
which language area you wish to focus upon, when you begin these modules. In addition, you must check with the programme leader before
selecting the Extended Essay module.
Level 3 Spanish Optional Module List:
Things Can Only Get Better: The Role of the Arts and Cultural Institutions in Spain’s Transition to Democracy (1962-1992) (20 credits)
examine how the arts and cultural policy were used and manipulated as a means of forging a new democratic identity under both authoritarian and democratic governments
use cultural studies to explore recent Spanish history, literature, film, television, journalism and music through
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Spanish in an Economic and Business Context (20 credits)
explore how Spanish is used within different professional contexts
examine key issues and themes facing Spanish/Latin American institutions
Contemporary Spain: From Franco to Zapatero (1975-2010) (20 credits)
examine social, political and cultural change in Spain from the end of the Franco dictatorship through to the years of socialist rule under
José Luis Zapatero
study the institutions, cultural practices, political debates and transformations of contemporary Spain in their historical context
Extended Essay (20 credits)
undertake research and draw evidence from a range of sources in support of an argument
develop the capacity for critical reflection and judgement in the light of evidence gathered
The Crisis of the Spanish Nation? Nationalisms & National Identities, 1868 – 1978 (20 credits)
review the Spanish nation-building process, from the late nineteenth century onwards
appreciate the place of nationalism in the modern world, through an academic case-study
The Regulation of Sexuality in Iberia and Latin America (20 credits)
acquire a profound knowledge of the medical, social and political aspects of sexuality in Spain and Latin America
explore how sexuality and gender were organised, prohibited and infused with power relations from 1492 to the present-day
Spanish-English Translation (20 credits)
understand and deploy appropriate strategies for reproducing the meaning and effect of a text in translation
produce effective, accurate and appropriate translations of a range of text types in English and Spanish
Dissertation (40 credits)
carry out a research project in a clearly-defined subject area
develop a capacity for independent analysis, thought and criticism
From Toussaint to Obama: Resistance in the African Diaspora (20 credits)
appreciate how the resistance of slavery impacted upon various Afro-American cultures
investigate how such resistance affected a particular region or Diaspora
The ‘Religious Question’ in Spain and Political Change 1808-2008 (20 credits)
examine the ideological, political and social dimensions of religion in Spain
understand the process of secularization and the political usage of religion in Spain
Discovering Spanish Voices Abroad in a Digital World (20 credits)
appreciate the key complex social, political and economic issues shaping migration from Spain in the last 50 years
conduct qualitative research through interviews in an ethical, socially purposeful and professional manner
Urban Art and Architecture: Modernizing Projects in Latin America (1930 to the present day) (20 credits)
analyse modernizing endeavours in Latin America, their premises, and the complex way they have played out in reality
examine relevant case studies involving urban projects, photography, public art and documentary film
Level 3 Portuguese Optional Module List:
Dissertation (40 credits)
carry out a research project in a clearly-defined subject area
develop a capacity for independent analysis, thought and criticism
Extended Essay (20 credits)
undertake research and draw evidence from a range of sources in support of an argument
develop the capacity for critical reflection and judgement in the light of evidence gathered
The Regulation of Sexuality in Iberia and Latin America (20 credits)
acquire a profound knowledge of the medical, social and political aspects of sexuality in Spain and Latin America
explore how sexuality and gender were organised, prohibited and infused with power relations from 1492 to the present-day
From Toussaint to Obama: Resistance in the African Diaspora (20 credits)
appreciate how the resistance of slavery impacted upon various Afro-American cultures
examine via case-study how such resistance affected a particular region or Diaspora
School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
FACULTY OF ARTS
Postcolonial Narratives in Portuguese (20 credits)
survey the colonial and postcolonial Lusotopic world, through film and literature
examine common resultant themes such as race, gender and colonial inheritance
History and the Questioning of National Identity: Portugal reflects upon its Past (20 credits)
examine Portugal’s history and future development through a critique of its painting and literature
explore the potential for a revolutionary future for Portugal, seeded within the nation’s past
Urban Art and Architecture: Modernizing Projects in Latin America (1930 to the present day) (20 credits)
analyse modernizing endeavours in Latin America, their premises, and the complex way they have played out in reality
examine relevant case studies involving urban projects, photography, public art and documentary film
The information contained in this document was right at time of going to press (October 2014). For current
information on courses and entry requirements please visit our website at www.leeds.ac.uk/coursefinder
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School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
UK
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6533
E: [email protected]
www.leeds.ac.uk/lcs