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2010/11 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SPPO2370 Espana: Descentralizacion Politica e Integracion en la Union Europea
20 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Mr Antonio Martinez-Arboleda
Email: A.Martinez-Arboleda@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2010/11
Pre-requisites
| SPPO1010 | Pract Lang Skills in Spanish 1 |
This module is mutually exclusive with
| SPPO2371 | Espana: Descentralizacion Politica e Integracion en la Union |
This module is approved as an Elective
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 on the dynamics of political decentralisation carried out in Spain in the last thirty years, on the process of integration of Spain in Europe and on the economic, political and cultural background and geographical frame of these two processes.
- Understand what the ¿Comunidades Autónomas¿ are, what kind of links they have with the Central Government and Parliament and how far political decentralisation has gone in Spain up to the present.
- Understand how the interests of the Spanish people are represented in the EU and how membership of the EU is affecting Spain.
- Have a critical idea of the ways in which political decentralisation and European integration relate to the ¿histories¿ of Spain, political discourses, nationalisms, national identities and cultural and sociolinguistic transformations in Spain.
- Have a critical idea of the range of possibilities for cultural, political and economic development that Spain and its regions have at their disposal under the current political and legal framework resulting from both decentralisation and European integration and how that affects Spain as a political unit.
Students will be able to use Spanish language throughout the module and in their essay if they wish so without incurring any penalties for grammatical or semantic inaccuracies that do not prevent effective communication with the tutor and other students.
Skills outcomes
Alongside the enhancement of their understanding of Contemporary Spain students will gain competence in the following transferable skills:
- IT skills such as the ability to use the internet at an advanced level
- Ability to assess critically journalistic and government resources
- Ability to understand and respect different political cultures and practices
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work in professional non-academic contexts through simulations and role-plays
Syllabus
The module will provide students with a wide range of knowledge and a better understanding of the political and cultural reality of Spain at present. It will concentrate on the political contemporary issues resulting from the study of relevant aspects of Spanish history, including political, economic, constitutional and legal developments, cultures, and geography. Issues like cultural and national identities, solidarity among different regions and countries and allocation of powers will be seen in the context of the two main political processes that Spain has gone through in the last three decades: its integration in the European Communities and the political decentralisation resulting into 'el Estado de las Autonomías.'
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.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 19 | 1.00 | 19.00 |
| Practical | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 170.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| 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 & seminarsDirected weekly reading
Fortnightly student seminar contribution
January test
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | Regularity and quality of contributions to online discussion boards including role-plays and simulations throughout the course | 60.00 |
| Essay | 2,000 words (May) | 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 websiteLast updated: 31/01/2011
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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