| Unit name | Structures and Varieties of Spanish |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HISP20123 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. James Hawkey |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
How does the Spanish language work? Can we even speak of one single Spanish language? This unit will introduce you to the linguistics of Spanish, moving through detailed discussion of sound and grammar, seeing how these vary throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In turn, this will allow you to better understand the social realities faced by Spanish speakers, and how this is connected to language. You will learn about how our bodies produce sound, how we process grammar in our brains, and how all of this is linked to the social judgements we make about speakers and their various accents. This will allow you to be better prepared for your time spent in Spanish-speaking countries, and may even make you reconsider what you think about how people use language here in the UK too!
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit fits into your degree whether you’re taking other linguistics units or not. If this is your only linguistics unit, great! You’ll learn more about the Spanish language, its pronunciation and grammar, and will develop presentation and research skills at the same time. If you’re taking other linguistics units too, also great! This unit slots in neatly with other linguistics units offered at Year 2 in French, German and the School as a whole, so you’ll be able to relate what you know about sound and grammar to other parts of your degree.
An overview of content
This unit introduces students to the study of Spanish linguistics and focuses on the techniques and problems involved in the structural, sociolinguistic, and stylistic description of the Spanish language. Firstly, students will develop their analytical knowledge of Spanish grammar and pronunciation through the systematic study of the linguistic structure of Spanish. The introduction to linguistic terminology and techniques for the description of pronunciation, grammar, and lexis will be accompanied by practical group-based tasks, which will ensure the students’ understanding of key frameworks in the analysis of language use. In the second part of the unit, students will familiarise themselves with the many varieties of Spanish, covering topics such as bilingualism and language contact, language ideologies, and language policy.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit?
Having taken this unit, students will have developed a broad range of skills. In terms of knowledge and intellectual abilities, students are not only set on the path to becoming subject-specific experts, but they also will be able to apply this knowledge to specific real-world situations. In terms of engagement and influence, the group presentation component of the summative assessment allows students to work collaboratively and become effective communicators. This in turn results in development in personal wellbeing, meaning students are more confident, reflective, self-motivated and adaptive.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
In-class activities will increase your familiarity with the subject matter, thereby allowing you to increase in confidence and knowledge before the summative assessment. Discussions will allow you to develop your critical thinking about how linguistic issues have social consequences, which will also be important for the summative assessment.
This unit will be taught by a combination of online and in-class activities:
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HISP20123).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
