Spanish Modules
Level 4
HSP4200 Introductory Spanish
Use of spoken and written Spanish for those without previous knowledge of the language. Intended primarily for language specialists and for other students following programmes within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The entire module counts towards the QMUL Model. Assessment: One three-hour examination, including a listening comprehension (60 per cent); oral examination (20 per cent); coursework (20 per cent).
HSP4201 Spanish I
Use of Spanish language; reading comprehension and free composition; practice leading to examination in spoken Spanish. The entire module counts towards the QMUL Model. Assessment: One three-hour written examination (55 per cent); oral examination (25 per cent); coursework (20 per cent).
HSP4202 Spanish I N
This module for students who are native or heritage speakers of Spanish offers an integration of Spanish language skills designed to introduce students to the learning methodology of the language in a university context. The module places particular emphasis on the development and application of the four skills (reading, listening, speaking and writing) in a variety of registers. It provides a strong emphasis on advanced grammar and translation (30% from Spanish into English and 70% English into Spanish). The module is also intended to help students become independent language learners, enabling participants to gain competence in some key skills that they will need for future employment (time management, critical thinking, and independent learning strategies). A good deal of the work on this module takes place outside the class. Students are expected to dedicate to Spanish language at least 10 hours of individual work a week, in addition to attendance at classes and preparation of assessed tasks. Tuition is aimed at developing appropriateness and accuracy in the spoken and written language through the analysis and composition of texts and oral presentation in a variety of registers. Successful students will reach Level B2 (+) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
HSP4203 Introduction to Hispanic Studies
The module offers an introduction to various aspects of the Spanish-, Catalan- and Portuguesespeaking cultures of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. In addition to providing a transcontinental perspective, the module will develop your ability to work across different periods through a selection of texts (narrative, essay, drama, and film) from the medieval period to the present. Four of the aspects listed above will be studied in half-semester blocks each year, with teaching consisting of a combination of lectures and seminars. The aim is to provide a broad view of Iberian and Latin American cultural expressions in their contexts, while developing study skills such as research, critical reading and essay writing, as well as cultural awareness related to the second and third most spoken Western languages (Spanish and Portuguese) and Catalan, a language spoken beyond Spain's political borders, all relevant to your future career. The module will be accessible to beginners with teaching based around topics and/or extracts of texts or short texts available in translation. The entire module towards the QMUL Model.
HSP100 Re-viewing the Spanish Civil War
This course will offer an historical understanding of the Spanish Civil War through the visual media of photography and film.
Level 5
HSP205 Culture and Society in Medieval Spain: Christians, Jews and Muslims
This module aims to provide an insight into medieval Spanish culture and society, in particular the interaction between Christians, Jews and Muslims through the study of a series of literary works. These introduce students to key genres (poetry, ballads, short stories and miracle collections) and key themes in the history and culture (conquest and reconquest, love and sexuality, and religion) of Medieval Spain.
HSP5203 Spanish II N
This module is offered to students who are native or heritage speakers of Spanish. Tuition is aimed at developing appropriateness and accuracy in the spoken and written language through the analysis and composition of texts and oral presentation in a variety of registers. Successful students will reach Level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
HSP5205 Modern Spanish Fiction
This module will introduce students to post-1975 Spanish fiction. Through detailed analysis and discussion of a number of thought-provoking texts it will cover an engaging variety of genres such as the graphic novel, the short story, detective fiction and the Civil War novel. At the heart of this module is the theme of historical memory, the trauma narrative and the changing ways in which the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Franco dictatorship have been represented in contemporary Spanish fiction.
HSP602 Cuban Poetry and Fiction: Post-1980
The aim of this module is to present Cuban writers (regardless of place of residence) within the literary history of the country. We will also examine issues of exile, history and national identity. Some of the writers included are: Carlota Caulfield, María Elena Cruz Varela, Carlos Díaz Barrios, Lourdes Gil, Amando Fernández, Rosario Hiriart, Senel Paz, Delfín Prats, Lourdes Tomás, Carlos Victoria.
HSP5201 Spanish II
Students who took HSP4201 Introductory Spanish should take HSP5202 Spanish II Intensive instead of this module. Use of the Spanish language; morphology and syntax; semantic discrimination; translation from and into Spanish; use of the spoken language; aural comprehension; practice in spoken Spanish.
HSP5202 Spanish II Intensive
This is the second-year core language module for students who started their degree in Spanish 'ab initio'. It offers further intensive instruction in the Spanish language, and by the end of the module you should be at a level comparable to those who have taken Spanish II. Use of the Spanish language; morphology and syntax; semantic discrimination; use and practise of the spoken language; aural comprehension; translation from and into Spanish.
HSP5008 Introduction to translation studies: Catalan, Spanish and English
This module introduces some fundamental concepts of translation theory, overviews history of translation paying special attention to Catalan and Spanish texts translated into English. It explores the translation of different genres such as poetry, drama, narrative, films and advertising by comparing narrative techniques and textual conventions in Catalan, Spanish and English. This module will also be an introduction to specialised translation and will explore the use of computer assisted translation tools and subtitling tools.
HSP5012 Latin America: Key Concepts
This course examines, from a global perspective, the historical processes that gave rise to modern Latin America and shaped its diverse societies. Focusing on a range of seminal texts, the module explores the intellectual debates that have accompanied the building of the nation-states we know today, and provides an insight into the multiple political, ethnic and cultural traditions that characterise the countries of the region. The course also provides key theoretical and analytical concepts specific to the study of Latin American cultural history.
HSP5200 Literature, Dictatorship and Cultural Memory in the Hispanic World
In the twentieth century, Spain and many Latin American countries shared the common experience of dictatorship. By focusing on a representative sample of texts from the twentieth and early twenty-first century (mostly narratives and a play) from Spain, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, El Salvador and Guatemala, this module aims to study Hispanic writers within their historical and political contexts, paying particular attention to the so-called dictator novels. We will explore how specific authors write and represent military dictatorship and how they reexamine the role of literature as a productive social text in the light of repression and censorship. In this context, this module will examine critically issues of 'official history', cultural memory, oral history, gender, national identity and exile in Spain and Latin America, relevant to this day.
Level 6
HSP6009 The Mexican Revolution and its Aftermath
This module examines the historical background to the Revolution and the profound impact that this first major revolution of the twentieth century (1910-1917) had on the society and culture of modern Mexico. It focuses on the ways in which Mexican artists, writers and intellectuals responded to and engaged with the processes the revolution unchained. The course will look at Mexican Muralism and the writings of authors such as José Vasconcelos, Octavio Paz, Juan Rulfo, Elena Poniatowska and Carlos Fuentes.
HSP6010 Languages in the Classroom 1: Practical and Theoretical Approaches to Teaching
This module introduces you to language teaching at school. It is the first of two 15 credit modules, and it focuses on the theoretical aspects of language teaching - whereas the other one (HSP6012 which runs during the second semester) focuses on practical matters. Through the completion of this module, you will gain an understanding of key aspects of Applied Linguistics and Psycholinguistics. You will focus on theoretical aspects of second / foreign language acquisition and their implications for teaching approaches and the design of teaching materials. This will involve planning, producing and delivering teaching materials. This module will also enable you to develop a range of transferable and professional skills such as organisational skills, communication skills, team-work, time management and problem-solving skills. Important: If you are planning to attend the module HSP6012 (Languages in the Classroom 2: Teaching and Reflective Practice) in semester 2, you will be required to complete a placement in a local school and will therefore require clearance from the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) <https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/> towards the end of the first semester. Please contact the module organiser for further information.
HSP6201 Spanish III
Compulsory for final-year students of Hispanic Studies. Use of the Spanish language; morphology and syntax; semantic discrimination; translation from and into Spanish; use of the spoken language; aural comprehension; advanced practice in spoken Spanish. Assessment: One three-hour 15 minute examination (55 per cent); oral examination (25 per cent); and three pieces of coursework worth 20 per cent of total mark.
HSP6207 Advanced Oral Competence in Spanish
Students in their final year will practice their aural and oral skills. A range of tests will be used, such as aural comprehension of either video or audio material, summary of a lecture, ability to recognise and switch between linguistic registers (standard, colloquial, etc) and liaison interpreting.
HSP6012 Languages in the Classroom 2: Teaching and Reflective Practice
This module introduces students to language teaching at school. It is the second of two 15 credit modules, and it focuses on the practical aspects of language teaching - whereas the other one (HSP6011 which runs during the first semester) focuses on theoretical issues. Through the completion of this module, and building upon the theoretical knowledge which you have acquired in HSP6011, you develop practical knowledge of how to design and deliver materials for the purpose of teaching foreign languages. You focus on practical aspects of second/ foreign language acquisition and their implications for teaching approaches and design of teaching materials. You complete a teaching placement in a local primary or secondary school, where you have an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in HSP6011 in the actual teaching and learning context. This involves planning, producing and delivering teaching materials. The module also enables you to develop a range of transferable and professional skills such as organisational skills, communication skills, team-work, time management and problem-solving skills. Important: As you are required to complete a placement in a local school, you will have to provide clearance from the UK's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) <https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barringservice/> towards the end of semester 1 BEFORE this module in semester 2. Please contact the module organiser for further information.
HSP6200 Spanish Translation: Theory and Practice
This module is intended to give students a wider experience of translation in different linguistic registers and the evaluation of translation in the context of contrastive linguistic analysis and translation theory. It also aims to serve as an introduction to the world of professional translation and as a taster for professional postgraduate qualifications. Provision is made for working from English to Spanish.