Spanish Language through Films (LL295)

(Equivalent to level 6)

This module runs in Term 1. Please also see Spanish through Translation for Term 2.

Summary

Level:

Advanced. The module is offered to students who already have an advanced knowledge of Spanish: i.e. good A level + 1 year of further study (or equivalent), or who have successfully completed Spanish 5 at the Language Centre.

Main Objectives:

This module is designed to help students achieve a high level of language proficiency in Spanish and to maximise their experience of the language. It is structured around viewing and discussing feature-length films in Spanish to foster a better understanding of Latin American and Spanish societies and to explore contemporary issues and the linguistic variants portrayed in the films.

Credits:

15 CREDITS, also available for 12 CREDITS.

Teaching:

One 2-hour language class each week for nine weeks (including written examination).
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore the minimum expected amount of study is 120 hours. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle (our virtual learning environment) to facilitate this.

Tutor:

Ana Devenport

Course Text

No textbook is required. Selected texts will be provided.

The films studied will be made available to students through Moodle or at the Transnational Resource Centre.

Course Description

The module:

Is taught entirely in Spanish.
Is structured around watching a weekly film in Spanish.
Requires students to write a weekly essay and to actively participate in class discussions.
Draws on aural and written documents such as reports, interviews, documentaries, articles, reviews, forums, etc., about topics explored or inspired by the films.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module the student will be able to:

Demonstrate a high level of language proficiency by conversing more fluently, confidently and spontaneously in Spanish in a variety of contexts.
Use their increased knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary to follow and understand films and extended speech, and summarise, clearly, complex subjects.
Identify and sythesise in Spanish core arguments presented in films, texts and discussions and/or produce their own analysis in formal short presentations.
Demonstrate an extended grammatical and syntactical knowledge of Spanish by applying high level research, analytical, summarising, reading and writing skills.
Show a higher degree of intercultural awareness such as the changing social environment and the cultural and linguistic diversity in the Spanish-speaking world.

Indicative list of films

También la lluvia (Icíar Bollaín)
Un franco, 14 pesetas (Carlos Iglesias)
Ocho apellidos vascos (Emilio Martínez-Lázaro)
Un cuento chino (Sebastián Borensztein)
Chico y Rita (Tono Errando, Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal)
El secreto de sus ojos (Juan José Campanella)

Assessment Scheme:

Assessment summary and skills weighting: Assessment

Marking criteria (written): Marking criteria

Marking criteria (oral): Marking criteria