SP1MSLA: The Making of Modern Spain and Latin America

Module code: SP1MSLA

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Camila Gonzalez Ortiz, email: c.y.gonzalezortiz@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students of Spanish to the historical trajectory that forms the roots of modern-day Spain and Latin America, through the guided analysis of written texts and visual sources that span over five centuries. Students will learn about the factors that contributed to the development of both Spain and Latin America from Columbus’s voyage in 1492 to the present day. From the Spanish empire and its decline through to revolutions, experiences of dictatorship and globalisation, you will gain a broad overview of important historical moments that have shaped the region. You will also develop your skills in textual analysis and the use of secondary sources.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss major events, factors and figures in this period of Spanish and Latin American history, and the complex relationship between the two regions
2. Analyse, evaluate and put into context a selection of Spanish and Latin American historical and cultural texts
3. Demonstrate skills in textual analysis
4. Select and interpret appropriate secondary sources

Module content

Week 1: Introduction to the module and key concepts

Week 2: 1492 and the colonisation of the Americas

Week 3: Critiquing colonisation

Week 4: Imperial Spain

Week 5: Society and culture in the colonial Americas

Week 7: Nation-building in Latin America after independence

Week 8: Spain: the end of empire

Week 9: Revolution and Civil War

Week 10: Dictatorship

Week 11: Societies in transition: Spain and Latin America at the end of the twentieth century

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students will be required to do preparatory reading for each seminar, participate in class discussion and undertake small-group work. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will undertake a formative in-class presentation (in pairs or groups).

Reassessment

Additional costs