2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SPPO1145 Catalan Language and Culture I

20 creditsClass Size: 32

Module manager: Marta Vila Bonet
Email: M.VilaBonet@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

A Level in a foreign language

Module replaces

SPPO1140

This module is approved as a discovery module

This module is approved as a skills discovery module

Module summary

Catalan is the most widely spoken non-state language in western Europe. Within Catalonia (the capital city of which is Barcelona) the Catalan language is the main vehicle of communication. It is the major language taught in Catalan schools, the official language of the autonomous regional government (the Generalitat) and the preferred language of the natives. This means that for anyone who wants to understand Catalan history, politics and culture, and/or spend any length of time in Catalonia, it is essential to have a working knowledge of Catalan. This is a fast moving 60-hour course designed for students who have an A-level in a foreign language. Its first objective is to develop your Catalan language skills. Considerable emphasis will be placed on communication in the language. At the same time, you will be taught the main grammatical structures and your listening and comprehension skills will be developed. In addition, it will introduce you to a number of aspects of contemporary Catalan society and culture. Topics will be introduced through a number of lectures and then reinforced in the language classes. Our aim is twofold. By the end of the course you will be able to understand spoken Catalan quite well, hold a basic conversation, read a wide variety of texts, write simple letters and notes. Furthermore, you will have developed an understanding of Catalan culture, society and identities.

Objectives

The key objectives are that on completing the module students will:
1. understand and utilise basic Catalan grammatical constructions
2. produce, understand and translate Catalan in a variety of everyday contexts
3. write letters and short essays in Catalan
4. show that they have an understanding of Catalan culture and society.

Learning outcomes
On the language front, on completing this module students will have a good understanding of spoken Catalan, be able to conduct an everyday conversation in Catalan, read a range of Catalan texts and write simple notes and letters in Catalan. In addition, they will have developed an understanding of the historical and cultural roots of modern Catalonia

Syllabus

This module aims, on the one hand, to equip students with a basic grounding in Catalan grammar and an ability to produce, understand and translate spoken and written Catalan in a variety of everyday contexts. This requires both covering basic grammatical structures and developing reading and writing skills applied to a variety of analytical, rhetorical and communicative contexts. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the historical and cultural roots of modern Catalan identity.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	3	1.00	3.00
Practical	57	1.00	57.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			60.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Working on their autonomous learning portfolio
Preparing their two reading comprehension exercises
Preparing their essay on Catalan traditions and culture
Undertaking exercises and other activities in preparation for class
Revising/preparing for their exam

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will do grammatical exercises and other homework on a weekly basis which the tutor will go through in class. In addition, students get feedback on their two reading comprehension, on the social/cultural essay and on the language portfolio.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	500 (x1) Historical and cultural essay	10.00
Portfolio	Regular submissions throughout year (small pieces of work such as oral presentations, compositions, comprehension exercises, etc.)	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	48 hr 00 mins	20.00
Practical Exam / OSCE	0 hr 20 mins	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

The exam will be an open book exam. The format of this exam may be subject to change should the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic allow. Students will be informed well in advance if this becomes the case. The resit for any oral component will comprise a Skype or campus-based.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/10/2023

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