Modern Languages and International Relations (Spanish)

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied if you choose Spanish as your language pathway.

For information on typical modules for International Relations, please check the course page.

These modules may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Students with prior knowledge of Spanish (B1 CEFR) will be required to study the following modules:

Researching Spanish and Latin American Studies (20 credits) - This module will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully execute a literature review and a research essay in the medium of Spanish. You will attend lectures on themes central to the disciplines of Spanish and Latin American studies, connected to those taught in the optional modules for Single Honours students and these will serve the basis for your own research. You will be exposed to relevant key texts in seminars, and will receive support in formulating and expressing your opinions on these in specialist language workshops, as well as targeted research skills training delivered by skills@library.

Students with no prior knowledge of Spanish will be required to study the following modules:

Spanish for Beginners (A1 of the CEFR) (20 credits) - This module enables absolute beginner students to develop their language skills up to A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Language Learning in this module is student-centred and task-based. The classroom is conceived as a social space for communication. Listening, reading, writing, speaking, interaction and mediation tasks will be set.
Researching Spanish and Latin American Studies (20 credits) - This module will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully execute a literature review and a research essay in the medium of English. You will attend lectures on themes central to the disciplines of Spanish and Latin American studies, connected to those taught in the optional modules for Single Honours students and these will serve the basis for your own research. You will be exposed to relevant key texts inseminars, and will receive support in developing your self-expression in relation to the topics studied in specialist language workshops, as well as targeted research skills training delivered by skills@library.
Politics, Culture and Society (20 credits) - What are the key debates that shape the practice of politics at international level? How can theory helps us better understand and analyse the practice of politics in the world today? How can awareness of differing cultural and intercultural perspectives help us better understand contemporary international politics? This module will introduce these themes and explore them in relation to a range of issues drawn from around the world. Because they are shaped by the current research interests of the staff teaching the module, the precise topics covered will vary from year to year.

Optional modules

Beginners Portuguese (20 credits)(None)
The Historical Development of Spain and Hispanic America (20 credits)
Portuguese Language for Beginners 1A (20 credits)
Catalan Language and Culture I (20 credits)
Introduction to the Cultural Production of Spain and Spanish-America (20 credits)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Practical Language Skills in Spanish 2 (20 credits) - This is an integrated Spanish language and language skills module, designed to enhance and consolidate inherited structures, in a variety of contexts. Alongside the enhancement of the four basic language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) students will gain competence in the following transferable skills: the ability to appreciate and use nuanced language at an advanced level, the ability to appreciate and use at an advanced level tone, register, structure and style in oral and written communication, and the ability to interact and negotiate orally in complex situations. Students wishing to take this module should have passed SPPO1010 in Level 1, or equivalent level of Spanish Language B2.
Política y Sociedad en el Mundo Hispanohablante Contemporáneo (20 credits) - The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the key issues relating to the contemporary politics and societies of Spain and Latin America.This is a language skills consolidation module. Therefore, A2 CEFRL (AS equivalent) knowledge of Spanish language is required as it is fully taught and assessed in Spanish. Learning outcomes will be assessed through a reading comprehension/writing exam in Semester 1 and an essay in Semester 2, both in Spanish.
Spanish Language Skills B1/B2 (20 credits) - This module enables students with a CEFRL A2+ in Spanish or similar level of linguistic competence in Spanish (i.e., Advanced Supplementary) to further develop their language skills up to B1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).Language Learning in this module is student-centred and task-based. The classroom is conceived as a social space for communication. Listening, reading, writing, speaking, interaction and mediation tasks will be set. Learning outcomes will be assessed through coursework tasks integrating several linguistic skills, and final written and oral exams.

Optional modules

Latin America since Independence (c1800 - c1930) (20 credits)(None)
Issues in Hispanic Cinema (20 credits)
Linguists into Schools (20 credits)
Black Europe (20 credits)
Global Environmental Humanities (20 credits)
Literature and the Arts in the Spanish-speaking World (20 credits)
Translation Theory and Practice in a Spanish - English Context (20 credits)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Spanish Year Abroad (120 credits)

Year 4

Compulsory modules

Practical Language Skills in Spanish 3 (20 credits) - This is an integrated Spanish language skills module, designed to enable the students to acquire the level of subtlety in appreciating nuances and communicative contexts of a native speaker, to enhance their knowledge of a wide range of linguistic usages and structures and their ability to make use of them in accordance with the intention of the speakers, the linguistic and extra-linguistic contexts or the relationship or status of the speakers at a higher level. There will be a weekly two hour lecture and a 1-hour weekly tutorial during which language tutors will provide supervision, linguistic guidance and feedback in relation to individual assessed projects (Semester 1). Oral work during tutorials in Semester 1 will concentrate on debates around key contemporary issues. During tutorials in Semester 2 these will occupy 100% of the contact time in the classroom, as each student will have to deliver a formally assessed presentation followed by an in-class debate.
Final Year Project - Dissertation, Extended Translation, or Digital Documentary (e.g. Podcast) (40 credits) - This may be produced in either English or, subject to the approval of the Module Leader and project supervisor, the Target Language. Lectures and workshops provide the skills training necessary, whereas more specific guidance is provided through one to one supervision with a member of staff.

Optional modules

Spanish in an Economic and Business Context (20 credits)
Spanish-English Translation (20 credits)
Catalan Language and Culture III (20 credits)
Nationalism and Internationalism in the Spanish-Speaking World (20 credits)
Icons and Stars: Celebrity and Revolution in Spain and Latin America (20 credits)
Race and Representation in the Spanish-speaking world (20 credits)
Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo (20 credits)
Contemporary World Literature (20 credits)
Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption (20 credits)
Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents (20 credits)
Decolonial Approaches (20 credits)
Social Movements across Cultures (20 credits)
Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present (20 credits)
Linguists into Schools (20 credits)