Advanced Studies in Latin American Varieties of Spanish Grammar with Bachelor's Thesis

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

SPLA257 is an advanced course in Spanish phonetics and grammar with a focus on Spanish in Latin America.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

The candidate

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

Skills:

The candidate

  • can use phonetical and 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
SPLA257 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 SPLA107 and SPLA117.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
SPLA207 (10 credits), SPLA201/251 (10 credits), SLAN640 (5 credits)
Teaching and learning methods
The classes are a combination of lecture and seminar, and are held for two hours a week for eight weeks. Additionally, there are normally small group classes two hours a week for eight weeks. Instruction is shared with SPLA207. 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.

The supervised Bachelor's thesis described under "Forms of Assessment" must be turned in for supervision during the semester within set deadlines. The deadlines are final, and the students are responsible for keeping themselves informed of these deadlines. There will be two tutoring sessions by agreement between the course instructor and student. It is mandatory for students to attend tutoring sessions at the agreed times. Supervision via email or phone is not normally given.

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

Forms of Assessment

In the course, the following forms of assessment will be used:

Course assessment includes a supervised Bachelor's thesis and an oral exam. The length of the Bachelor's thesis should be about 3500 words (without bibliography), written in Spanish. The oral exam is a conversation in Spanish about the course required readings, where the Bachelor's thesis may also be brought up.

The Bachelor's thesis is worth 60% of the final grade and the oral exam is worth 40%. The student must pass both parts in order to pass the course. Both parts of the exam must be passed the same semester.

When retaking the exam in the semester without instruction, students must submit the revised thesis without further supervision.

The Bachelor's thesis and oral exam fulfill the requirements for independent work that is a necessary part of a Bachelor's degree. A maximum of one course with the SPLA250 course code can be taken during the same semester.

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 coursework.
Reading List
The required course reading is mainly a reference grammar. The reading list will be available from 01.06 for the fall semester, and 01.12 for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
The teaching is evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.
Examination Support Material
None
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