2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SPPO1410 Researching Spanish and Latin American Studies

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Peter Watson
Email: P.J.Watson@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully execute a literature review and a research essay in English. You will attend lectures on themes central to Spanish and Latin American studies, introducing you to potential module options in Years 2 and 3; these will serve as the basis for your own research. You will be exposed to key texts in seminars, and will receive support in developing your self-expression in relation to the topics in language workshops, as well as targeted research skills training.

Objectives

This module aims to:
1. introduce students to key approaches, themes and developments in Spanish and Latin American Studies, embedded in the research context of the University of Leeds
2. encourage students to conceive of Spanish and Latin American Studies as an interdisciplinary field of study that includes literature, culture, history, politics and society
3. engage students with scholarship and to develop a good general understanding of key principles in academic research
4. encourage students to utilise the research tools available at the University of Leeds (e.g. Special Collections, Skills@library)
5. develop students’ skills to engage with and analyse scholarship and analyse and discuss a wide range of primary materials, such as film, literature, media, political rhetoric, historical sources
6. develop the students’ ability to craft their own arguments and use evidence to support them.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. demonstrate an understanding of key approaches, concepts and themes in Spanish and Latin American Studies
2. identify and critique the main arguments of a range of scholarly publications drawn from the discipline of Spanish and Latin American Studies
3. students will develop their knowledge of key areas of research relating to Spanish and Latin American contexts

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. locate primary and secondary materials in libraries and online,
5. present complex ideas and rigorous research in formal genres of academic writing in English, specifically a literature review and research essay
6. use the MHRA and/or Leeds Harvard referencing styles correctly
7. learned how to analyse a range of primary materials in the target language, with the support of texts in translation, such as literature, film, media, political rhetoric, historical sources, and use them critically as evidence to support their own arguments
8. be able to compare, contrast, analyse and evaluate academic secondary sources, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, methodologies and contribution to the field

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	6	1.00	6.00
Seminars	8	1.00	8.00
Practicals	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback may be given on any of the following:
• Comprehension questions on primary or secondary sources in seminars
• Activities to enhance written and oral skills in target language in language workshops

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	Research Essay	60.00
Literature Review	Literature review	40.00
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: 10/04/2024

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