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2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SPPO2650 The Spanish regional Melting Pot: the old same History?

20 creditsClass Size: 27

Module manager: Antonio Martinez-Arboleda
Email: A.Martinez-Arboleda@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

SPPO 1010 or equivalent level of linguistic competence in Spanish.

Pre-requisites

SPPO1010Pract Lang Skills in Spanish 1

This module is mutually exclusive with

SPPO2651The Spanish regional Melting Pot: the old same History?

Module replaces

SPPO2370

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Lectures will be delivered mainly in Spanish and feedback in the discussion boards will be given mainly in Spanish. A good dictionary for the reading and study of materials for the module and for the study of lectures is strongly recommended.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:

- Show a basic knowledge of Spain's ethno-territorial organisation, with a particular focus on the geographical, cultural, political and economic distinctiveness of its Autonomous Communities.

- Have a critical idea of the ways in which the construction of a new politically decentralised Spanish State in the last four decades relates to the political history of Spain and to the different interpretations given to key historic events by the political actors.

- Show a basic knowledge on how the process of political decentralisation in Spain in the last 4 decades has been shaped by both political pragmatism and ideology, including regionalisms and nationalism.

- Have a critical idea on the relationship between decentralisation, political and cultural identities, both national and regional, and other recent cultural and sociolinguistic transformations in Spain.

- Understand what the Comunidades Autónomas are politically, what kind of links they have with the Central Government and the Spanish Parliament and how far political decentralisation has gone in Spain up to the present.

- Have improved their linguistic competence in Spanish by working with academic, government and journalistic texts in Spanish, attending lectures in Spanish and producing assessed work in Spanish.

Students will be able to use Spanish language throughout the module without incurring any penalties for grammatical or semantic inaccuracies that do not prevent effective communication with the tutor and other students. The essay will be written in Spanish.

Learning outcomes
The module will provide students with a wide range of knowledge and a better understanding of the political, geographical and cultural reality of Spain at present. It will concentrate on political contemporary issues resulting from the study of relevant aspects of Spanish history.

Issues like cultural and national identities, solidarity among different Autonomous Communities, the role of political parties and movements and the allocation of political powers will be seen in the context of the process of decentralisation resulting into 'el Estado de las Autonomías.'

Skills outcomes
Alongside the enhancement of their understanding of Spanish History , Culture and Contemporary Politics and their linguistic competence in Spanish, students will gain competence in the following transferable skills, valuable for employment related to this subject area:

- IT skills such as the ability to use the internet at an advanced level
- Ability to assess critically journalistic, academic and government resources
- Ability to understand and respect different political cultures and practices
- Ability to work as part of a team and make decisions
- Ability to work in professional non-academic contexts through simulations and role-plays.


Syllabus

- The socioeconomic and demographic reality of Spain and its Autonomous Communities
- Ethno-territorial political history of Spain: history, historiography, nationalisms and the State
- Political transition to democracy and the creation of the Estado de las Autonomías
- The process of decentralisation and its political actors
- Language, identity and culture in decentralised Spain
- Case Study of one Autonomous Community.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Group learning215.0030.00
Lecture201.0020.00
Practical15.005.00
Private study hours145.00
Total Contact hours55.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- Discussion boards will consist of role-plays and simulations and will concentrate both on comprehension of the materials and more in-depth debate about the issues.
- Students will have the opportunity to learn by undertaking roles of journalists, politicians, historians and advisors.
- Contributions to discussion boards are an essential part of the coursework, therefore students will be expected to prepare regularly by reading and studying materials and to contribute with their answers.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at lectures and student seminar contribution.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1,500 words, in Spanish40.00
Online AssessmentOnline discussion board 110.00
Online AssessmentOnline discussion board 225.00
Online AssessmentOnline discussion board 325.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:26:04

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