Hispanic Studies - BA (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

• Year abroad

Teaching and assessment

All Spanish language modules involve three hours teaching each week, with the exception of the beginners’ language modules at Stages 1 and 2 which involve four hours. They include small group seminars, conversation classes run by a native speaker, short lectures in Spanish, work in a language laboratory and work on computer-assisted language learning materials. The culture and literature modules normally involve a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar each week.

Stage 1 is assessed by 100% coursework (essays, class participation) in some modules, and a 50:50 combination of coursework and examination in others. Stage 2/3: depending on the modules you select, assessment varies from 100% coursework (extended essays), to a combination of examination and coursework, in the ratio 60:40 or 80:20.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• Provide a sound grounding in the Spanish language in all its aspects, through extensive reading in Spanish and through the use of Spanish as a spoken and written medium.
• Develop a critical awareness of the broad canon of Hispanic cultures and societies from the 15^th century to the 21^st century.
• Develop specialist knowledge of a range of areas within the broad canon of Hispanic Studies.
• Train students in the field of translation from and into Spanish.
• Provide a gateway to related thematic studies comprising various bodies of knowledge and methodological approaches.
• Provide teaching which is informed by current research and scholarship and which requires students to engage withpaspects of work at the frontiers of knowledge.
• Provide a means of access to intercultural awareness and understanding.
• Contribute to widening participation in higher education by offering a wide variety of entry routes.
• Meet the lifelong needs of a diversity of students
• Provide opportunities for the development of personal, communication, research and other key skills appropriate for graduate employment both in industry and in the public sector.
• Develop general critical, analytical and problem-solving skills which can be applied in a wide range of situations.
• Facilitate students’ ability to cope independently in Spanish.
• Build on close ties within Europe and elsewhere (notably in Spanish-speaking countries and regions), reflecting Kent’s position as the UK’s European University.
• Aims in relation to the learning and teaching strategy:
• For students studying BA (Hons) Hispanic Studies, the programme additionally aims to:
• Produce graduates of value to the region, nationally and internationally, in possession of key knowledge and skills.
• Prepare students for employment or further study.
• Provide learning opportunities that are enjoyable experiences, involve realistic workloads, based within a research-led framework and offer appropriate support for students from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Provide high quality teaching in supportive environments with appropriately qualified and trained staff.
• Provide students with the opportunity to spend a full academic year in a Spanish-speaking country. They may attend one of the partner universities in Spain or Latin America, work as a language assistant in a school through the British Council, or arrange suitable employment (which must be verified by the University of Kent).
• Provide students with the opportunity to improve their spoken and written language skills in educational, professional and social contexts.
• Enable students to acquire or increase first-hand knowledge of the culture(s) of their target language.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• Spanish and Catalan Language
• Iberian Literature and cultures from the 17th to the 21st centuries
• Iberian and Latin-American History
• Iberian and Latin-American Critical Theory 
• Iberian and Latin-American Cultural Theory 
• Hispanic civilisation and contemporary society, through first-hand experience 

Intellectual skills

You develop the following intellectual skills:

• Apply the skills needed for academic study and enquiry
• Evaluate information critically
• Synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of the subject
• Utilise communication skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) for the coherent expression and transfer of knowledge
• Analyse, evaluate and interpret a variety of texts and other cultural products in a critical manner
• Study and reach conclusions independently
• Organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument 
• Utilise problem-solving skills related to everyday and academic or professional life in a Spanish-speaking country

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in how to:

• Communicate effectively in Spanish and Catalan for a range of purposes and audiences 
• Develop language skills in reception (listening and reading); production (speaking and writing); and mediation between at least two languages (translation and interpreting)
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge and effective understanding of the various structures and registers of Spanish and Catalan
• Translate accurately and efficiently into and from the target language 
• Analyse critically a variety of texts be they journalistic, historical, visual or literary
• Gain intercultural awareness and competence, and an appreciation of cultural diversity 
• Ability to mediate and display qualities of empathy in an intercultural context
• Acquire intercultural awareness through everyday experience of and interaction with Spanish-speaking communities

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in:

• Communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals using a variety of means 
• Evaluate one’s own academic performance 
• Problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations 
• Accurate and effective note-taking and summarising skills 
• Library and bibliographical research skills
• Take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development
• Manage time and prioritise workloads, think and perform under pressure 
• Capacity for teamwork 
• Leadership abilities 
• Work creatively and flexibly
• Deploy a range of Information Technology skills effectively, such as word processing text with footnotes, basic formatting, using e-mail, searching databases and text-files, navigating the Web
• Develop independence and self-reliance while accommodating to and living in a Spanish-speaking country

Careers

Recent graduates have gone into teaching, translating and interpreting, marketing, journalism, publishing, and other areas. Many language graduates begin their career abroad.

The ability to speak another European language is a key asset in the global employment market, and many employers view a graduate with overseas study experience as more employable.