Advanced Studies in Latin American Literature and culture

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

SPLA208 is an advanced course in Latin American literature worth 10 ECTS credits. The course topic will vary from semester to semester.

The course features specialization in a topic from Latin American literature, for example, a period, genre, theme, national literature, or similar topic.

Students will have broad general knowledge in the subject area and deeper knowledge in a limited area. They will work independently on academic issues and demonstrate their own development in competence and specialization.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

The candidate

  • has solid knowledge of a specific topic related to Latin American language varieties of Spanish grammar

Skills:

The candidate

  • can use grammatical terminology and academic reflection in the analysis of practical and theoretical issues in Latin American language and grammar
  • has further developed their language competence, especially with regard to discussing linguistic and grammatical topics

General Competence:

The candidate

  • has the ability to continue with a Master¿s program in Spanish language and Latin American studies (after also having completed other required or elective courses).

Full-time/Part-time

Not relevant

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
No formal requirements, but all teaching is in Spanish and is based on knowledge of Spanish corresponding to the courses at the 100-level in Spanish language and Latin American studies.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
SPLA208 is based on knowledge of Spanish corresponding to the courses at the 100-level in Spanish language and Latin American studies. The teaching builds on SPLA108 and SPLA118.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
SPLA258 (10 credits), SPLA202/252 (10 credits) and SLAN641 (10 credits)
Access to the Course
The course is open to all with admission to the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods

The classes are a combination of lecture and seminar, and are held for four hours a week for ten weeks. Classes are shared with SPLA258.

If fewer than five students register for a course, instruction will be tailored to the number of students. If this is the case, students will be informed of alternate instruction arrangements at the beginning of the semester prior to the registration deadline of Feb 1/Sept 1.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Students must attend at least 70% of the classes in order to be allowed to take the final course assessment.

There are two obligatory written assignments: an individual textual analysis and another textual analysis that is performed by a small group, about two to three students in each. These assignments will be about 350 words long and must be completed by the given deadlines. The assignments are assessed as a pass/fail.

The compulsory course assignments are valid for one semester after the semester the course was taken.

Forms of Assessment
The form of assessment in the course is a four-hour written examination in Spanish. The grade will be based on content and language. The exam may be administered digitally
Grading Scale
The grading scale is A-F, where F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Spring. There will also be given an assessment early in the fall semester for students with valid compulsory course work.
Reading List

The required course reading (in total 600 pages) includes a selection of literary works and texts, in addition to scholarly and historical articles related to these texts. There will be an attempt to represent female and male authors equally in the course readings.

As a rule, students are to adhere to the course reading list given the semester the course is taken. However, one may, in special cases, get permission to replace the reading list with that of an earlier semester. This requires an application at the beginning of the semester. Contact the Department of Foreign Languages.

Course Evaluation
The teaching is evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.
Examination Support Material
Students may use monolingual and bilingual (for example Norwegian-Spanish/Spanish-Norwegian) dictionaries approved by the Department during the exam. The students must bring their own dictionary to the exam and be aware of and follow the rules regarding dictionary use on exams.
Programme Committee
The program committee is responsible for the academic content and the structure of the program, as well as for the quality of the study program and related courses.
Course Administrator
Department of Foreign Languages