SP1001 Spanish Language and Texts 1

The language part of the module promotes the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. There is formal grammar instruction and a programme of participative classroom activities, grammar instruction and CALL work. The texts component is designed to provide language in context and to widen the students experience of Spanish and Spanish American life and culture through selected writing and film. The reading list is available on line as from the preceding month of May.

SP1002 Spanish Language and Texts 2

This module advances the 4 skills developed in SP1001. A language course book introduces a higher level of linguistic difficulty through a series of exercises, participative classwork, grammar instruction and CALL work. The literary texts represent twenty-first-century and earlier Spanish, and Spanish American writing, chosen for linguistic enrichment and cultural significance. The reading list is available on line as from the preceding month of May. The module aims at a level of attainment sufficient to enable the student to enter confidently the 2000-level modules.

SP1003 Spanish for Beginners 1

The objective is to initiate Spanish language acquisition with a firm grounding in the syntax, morphology and vocabulary of the language. The skills developed are accuracy and fluency in reading, writing, listening and speaking. In classes, students are taught and practise new structures. In the computer classroom these skills are further enhanced through the individual use of a self-access multimedia CALL program and video materials.

SP1004 Spanish for Beginners 2

There are three classes of language instruction per week to continue language initiation and a self-access CALL program and video materials to consolidate language acquisition and instil accuracy of expression. There are also nine class hours and six seminars devoted to Hispanic film and literature, chosen for their linguistic and cultural interest. Parallel texts and English sub-titled films are used initially, and the student is helped with annotated texts and computer glossary. Vocabulary and familiarisation with aspects of the Hispanic world are enhanced. A sound basis in the grammar of Spanish in this module facilitates entry into 2000 level modules in Spanish.Please note that this module is not designed for native or heritage speakers of Spanish.

SP1030 Introduction to Modern Latin America

This module offers an introduction to modern Latin American history. Starting with the Wars of Independence (1804-1825), it traces the political history of Spanish America, Brazil and Haiti up to the present. Adopting a thematic approach, within a continental-based narrative, this module focuses on the early national period, the neocolonial period, the age of extremes and the age of neoliberalism. Recent trends towards democratisation within a context of globalisation will also be addressed. Whilst the module will stress the common themes between countries as far apart as Mexico and Argentina, it will nonetheless highlight specific national contexts. Key events such as the Mexican-American war, the Mexican Revolution, the Chaco War, the Cuban Revolution and Pinochet's coup of 1973 will all be studied.