SPAN2211 Keys to the Spanish and Latin American Worlds

The societies of Spain and Latin America are rich and complex and have a history that dates back thousands of years. In this topic students will be introduced to some of the key aspects of the societies of Spain and Latin American countries. Areas that may be studied include: Spanish and Latin American history, physical and human geography, popular culture, and linguistic diversity.

Historical topics that may be covered include the colonisation of Latin America, independence movements in Latin America, and key events in contemporary Spanish and Latin American history. The physical and human geography of Spain and Latin America may include topics such as the relationship between the physical environment and social organisation. When studying Spanish and Latin American popular culture, students will learn about popular traditions in those countries, including religious and other celebrations. The area of linguistic diversity may include issues such as the past and present of Spain's four official languages; indigenous languages in Latin America; and the similarities and differences between the varieties of Spanish spoken in Spain and in Latin America.

This topic aims to:

• Introduce students to some of the key aspects of Spanish and Latin American societies in the present and/or past
• Develop students' understanding of how Spanish and Latin Americans societies operate and/or have operated in the past
• Develop students' understanding of some of the similarities and differences between Spain and Latin America and between individual Latin American countries
• Develop learners' critical and analytical skills through the study of certain important aspects of Spanish and Latin American societies
• Enhance students' communicative competence in Spanish in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking)

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of Spanish and Latin American societies
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how Spanish and Latin American societies differ from and are similar to each other
3. Understand a variety of texts in written and spoken Spanish relating to the areas studied
4. Analyse and discuss critically texts in Spanish relating to the areas studied
5. Communicate their knowledge, understanding and analyses of a range of topics in written and spoken Spanish