SSP20622 Spanish as a world and national language (Autumn 2024)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course in the Spanish Extension Programme (30 credits).

One of two mandatory courses in the Bachelor's Programme in Languages, Spanish specialization (applies from 2021).

Lecture Semester

Spanish Extension Programme: 1. semester (autumn)

Bachelor's Programme in Languages, Spanish specialization: 5. semester (autumn)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

The student:

• Has a basic understanding of Spanish language history from the Middle Ages to the present day.

• Has a basic overview of the development of key linguistic features of Castilian.

• Has deepened knowledge of the spread of the Spanish language in the American continent.

• Has a basic overview of key linguistic features in American Spanish.

• Can describe features of an oral or written text using linguistic terms.

• Can produce well-structured and advanced oral and written texts with a broader vocabulary and varied sentence structures.

• Can express themselves orally and in writing with confidence and fluency adapted to the recipient and communication situation.

Content

The course explores the evolution in time and space of the Romance dialect Castilian (Spanish), which originally was a small dialect in present-day northern Spain but is now an official language in 21 countries and the mother tongue of 480 million people. In the first half of the semester, the course focuses on traditional language history, with particular emphasis on development from the Middle Ages to the present day. This includes phonological, morphological, and syntactic changes over time. In the second half of the semester, the course explores the geographic spread of Castilian, with a special focus on phonological, morphological, and syntactic variation. Central historical and political events that have influenced the development of the Spanish language are also discussed, such as the Moorish conquest of Spain, the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella, and the Spanish conquest of America.

Forms of teaching and learning

The teaching is conducted online and in Spanish. Students participate in real-time, engaging in conversations and collaborating on assignments via digital platforms and tools. Attendance in the classes is not mandatory, but it is highly advantageous to attend regularly. It is assumed that students work independently and familiarize themselves with the course material posted on the learning platform. Students are encouraged to use digital tools to discuss academic questions and contribute to their own and others' improvement in the target language both during and outside of organized instruction.

Workload

Approximately. 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

One oral conversation (totaling 15 minutes) with the subject teacher where the student presents an issue related to a self-selected topic within the subject's areas of study. The presentation should include specific examples and be connected to relevant academic literature. The conversation may also cover other selected topics that have been covered in the course. The conversation takes place on a set date and time via a digital platform or on campus. Following the conversation, the student must address the chosen issue in a written assignment (maximum 1000 words, adhering to standard academic citation requirements) according to feedback received from the oral conversation with the subject teacher. The deadline for submission of the written assignment is provided at the beginning of the semester.

Required coursework must be approved before the student can proceed to the examination.

Examination

Individual written home examination, one week.

All aids are allowed except for communication and collaboration with others on the response.

Grading scale A-F.

Examiners

External and internal examiner or two internal examiners.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is crucial for us to be able to offer the best possible courses and study programs. This course is evaluated in the following way:

• Mid-semester evaluation and ongoing evaluation/final evaluation

The results are processed by/in:

• Teaching group
• Head of Studies
• Programme committee

Literature

The current reading list for 2024 Autumn can be found in Leganto