Latin American Literature and culture II

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Full-time/Part-time

Not relevant

Teaching semester

Autumn

Place of Instruction

Bergen. This course do also exists as an online course (SPLA638)

Objectives and Content

The course aims to provide knowledge on central aspects of modern Latin American literature and culture, with a primary focus on tendencies in contemporary literature.

The students are to work with a representative selection of texts, and films representing different genres and epochs, and are to develop an analytical understanding of the distinctiveness of the texts and images.

The course aims to provide insight into central themes and questions on Latin American literature and culture, and aims to give the students the possibility to develop skills at analyzing the subject material and drawing their own conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student should:

• have an increased understanding of representative texts and films representing different genres and tendencies in modern Latin American literature and culture.

Skills

The student should:

• further develop essential skills at textual analysis and be able to read and interpret modern literary texts in Spanish
• further develop the ability to express himself/herself in written and oral Spanish, both about literary and cultural topics, as well as more generally

General competence

The student:

• is able to analyse academic texts and draw their own conclusions.
• can demonstrate knowledge and ability to engage in an academic discussion in shorter pieces of writing, using clear and correct Spanish
• is able to further extend his or her knowledge, skills, and understanding through continued studies or employment.

Required Previous Knowledge

No formal requirement, but all teaching is in Spanish, and demands a solid command of the language.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Introductory Spanish course or equivalent. It is advantageous to have completed the course SPLA108.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

SPLA102 (5 ECTS Credits), SLAN614 (5 ECTS Credits), SPLA638 (10 ECTS)

Access to the Course

The course is open to all with admission to the University of Bergen.

Teaching and learning methods

Most of the teaching is offered in the form of seminars, where the reading list texts are commented on and analyzed. Teaching is offered over a period of 8 to 10 weeks, with one digitally lecture and normally two seminars a week, depending on available resources. Student active learning methods are employed, and the students are thus expected to prepare for classes as well as engaging actively in class and in after-class-work.

In the case that less than five students register for a course, the organized teaching may be adapted to fit the number of students. If this occurs, students will be informed at the start of the semester, and before the registration deadline 1. February/1. September.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

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

In accordance with the University of Bergen's Regulations for Degrees and Studies, the students have the right to a second try for each assignment, if one or more of the first hand-ins were not passed. The assignment must be approved before the student can be assessed in the course.

The compulsory assignment is valid for one semester after the teaching semester.

Forms of Assessment

The form of assessment is a 6-hour written examination at home. The written examination must be completed in Spanish. The candidate is assessed both on contents and language proficiency. The exam is digital.

Examination Support Material

The students may use a one or two language (for example Norwegian-Spanish / Spanish-Norwegian) dictionary that is approved by the Department on the day of the exam.

The students must bring their own dictionary to the exam, stay updated on and follow the rules on the control of the dictionaries.

Grading Scale

The exam is marked in the grade scale A-F, where F is a fail.

Assessment Semester

Autumn. An assessment will also be given early in the spring semester for students with valid compulsory course work.

Reading List

The reading list (about 500 pages) is comprised of literary texts (novels, plays, short stories and poems), primarily from contemporary Latin American literature. In addition, a reference work on literary history and contextual information is included. The selection of texts aims at an approximately equal distribution of female and male authors.

Course Evaluation

The teaching is evaluated in accordance with the quality control system of the University of Bergen.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the academic content and structure of the subject, as well as for the quality of the study program and all of its courses.

Course Administrator

Department of Foreign Languages