University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages > English and Spanish (BA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1HILA003U |
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Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Laurence Publicover (English)
James Hawkey (Spanish) |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | School of Modern Languages |
Second School/department | Department of English |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
English (2023) (benchmark statement)
Languages, Cultures and Societies (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The joint-honours Spanish and English degree provides students with the opportunity to study two complementary disciplines, both of which ask them to think carefully about culture and history and to pay close attention to detail while comprehending and analysing language. Students will develop distinct but also complementary skills while taking the degree: for example, while in English they will be asked to write commentaries on (or, on some modules, to translate) passages from literary texts written before 1740 in order to demonstrate their comprehension of earlier forms of English, in their chosen modern language they will, throughout the four-year degree, similarly undertake translation and commentary exercises as part of developing written and spoken language skills; in both disciplines, meanwhile, students will be provided with the opportunity to study literary texts in their social, political, and historical contexts. They will also spend a mandatory year abroad to improve their language skills and their global citizenship. This combination of skills drawn from the two fields will maximize the attractiveness of the proposed degree for the student offer and then their experience at the University.
Spanish
The programme provides the opportunity to study the language, literature society, culture, politics and history of Spanish -speaking countries and another subject. For the Spanish programme:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Knowledge and understanding are acquired through: lectures, seminars, tutorials, intensive language classes, directed reading, regular written coursework and practical language work (supported by the facilities of the Multimedia Centre), and a compulsory period of residence in the country or countries where the language is spoken. |
Methods of Assessment | |
A range of essay writing skills (short and extended essays). Project work. Seminar presentations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, oral presentations and essay writing. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essay writing and examinations test the students' ability to analyse information and present reasoned arguments. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Seminars and tutorials are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short introductory talks/presentations to initiate discussion. These oral skill are further developed in the language classes. |
Methods of Assessment | |
All units are assessed through written coursework in the form of essays of varying lengths and requirements. These require a detailed and expansive handling of literature and extensive reading in support of their conclusions. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 of the course has been expressly designed to lay the foundations which will allow students to fulfil the course's aims and objectives. Core units in language are geared to lead the student in the development of their language skills. Foundation units introduce students to the literature, society, culture, politics and history of Spanish-speaking countries from the medieval period through to the present day. The expectation is that their work may require considerable direction from members of staff at this stage. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
In Year 2 students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their knowledge in various areas of the discipline and their capacity to evaluate their work. The themes and language readings will be of greater depth and substance. Students will develop their analytical skills, their ability to structure their work and present it fluently. They will be encouraged in group work skills through active participation in seminars and oral language classes. They will be developing a capacity for self-directed learning (for example, through the researching and writing of essays and projects). The grammatical and lexical knowledge of the Spanish language will be tested, as will their specialist knowledge of specific periods/topics within the language, literature, society, culture, politics, history of the Spanish-speaking world. In Year 3, students will develop their command of spoken and written Spanish during the mandatory period of residence abroad when they either follow a formal programme of instruction at an academic institution in a Spanish-speaking country or take up an approved placement in a business or administrative organisation in a Spanish-speaking country. Their linguistic, critical, research and presentational skills will also be enhanced through the writing of a dissertation in Spanish during the year. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students are expected to have expanded the breadth of their knowledge through the study of optional units, which are more closely linked to staff research interests and which aim to develop conceptual and methodological approaches in more complexity.Students will be expected to develop further their ability to gather and assimilate information, to synthesise these in an appropriate way, to engage in sophisticated evaluation of texts. The students' ability to assimilate and synthesise material, organise their ideas, weigh conflicting interpretations, marshal arguments, form judgements and present their thoughts in written and verbal forms with precision and clarity will be further developed. There will be an emphasis on independent learning, self-directed study and research skills. The grammatical and lexical knowledge of the Spanish language will be tested, as will their specialist knowledge of specific periods/topics within the language, literature, society, culture, politics and history of the Spanish- speaking world. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Knowledge and understanding of both disciplines is acquired through lectures, seminars, tutorials, directed reading and individual formative feedback. Independent research is fostered at each level of the programme, culminating with the Dissertation at level H. Language skills are developed through language classes and through the year abroad. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essay writing, formal presentations and examinations test the students' ability to analyse information and present reasoned arguments. Problem solving is assessed on the basis of the ability shown in addressing and responding to direct questions. Research skills are assessed through coursework and dissertations. Language skills are assessed through spoken, written and aural examination. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through seminars, tutorials, oral presentations, and essay writing. Units are structured in such a way that the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of data are developed. Specific units focus on other intellectual skills: problem solving and research techniques. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essay writing, formal presentations and examinations test the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and organise information, and to present reasoned arguments based on appropriate selection of evidence. Problem solving is assessed on the basis of the ability shown in addressing and responding to direct questions. Research skills are assessed through coursework and dissertations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Written assignments of various kinds in the mandatory and optional units impart skills in research, analysis and communication. Seminars are used to develop oral communication by requiring students to engage in class discussions and to give short presentations. All units make use of Blackboard. Independent learning is required in all units. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Essays and other forms of written assignment test the students' ability to analyse, evaluate and organise information, and to present reasoned arguments based on appropriate selection of evidence; research skills are also assessed through written coursework and the final year dissertation. Oral presentations provide diagnostic and formative assessment of this skills. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Year 1 has been designed to lay the foundations which will enable the student to fulfil the programme's objectives. Mandatory units provide both knowledge and skills while optional units start students on a pathway and allow the exploration of other subject areas. The student will acquire familiarity with the main themes and concepts of their chosen disciplines and will take the first steps towards independent research. Here the expectation is that their work may require substantial direction and guidance on the development of study skills from tutors. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
Year 2 is intended to complete the foundations of skills and knowledge though the mandatory units, while the optional units expand knowledge and understanding in the students’ chosen. Students will be expected to grasp and apply the underlying concepts, principles and methods appropriate to their area of study, to show a greater degree of independence in the interpretation of evidence and construction of arguments, and to present their work effectively. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At this level students are expected to make use of the knowledge and skills acquired in the first two years in researching and discussing topics in much greater depth. They will work at a higher level of methodological and conceptual complexity. They will be expected to work more independently in gathering and assimilating information, synthesising it in an appropriate way and engaging in the sophisticated analysis of relevant evidence. There is an emphasis on self-directed study and the development of research skills, especially through the compulsory dissertation. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
Spanish
The Department also offers single honours programmes in Spanish and Hispanic Studies (Spanish with Portuguese or Catalan) and through the School of Modern Languages, joint programmes in Spanish with one of the following: Czech, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and in Portuguese with one of the following: Czech, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Drama; History of Art, Philosophy and Politics.
The Department has SOCRATES links/exchanges with universities in Barcelona, Granada, Vigo, Vic, and Zaragoza. Links with Latin American universities are being established.
Spanish
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Hispanic///www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/Hispanic/
Mandatory Unit Spanish Language is must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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List A - Take ENGL10017 and one of the language units | |||||
Spanish Language (Ab-initio) | HISP10116 | 40 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Critical Issues | ENGL10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
Spanish Language (Post A level) | HISP10001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List B | |||||
The Making of the Hispanic World, from 1492 to the present day | HISP10014 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 | |
List D | |||||
Approaches to Poetry | ENGL10039 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
List E - Take ENGL10043. If you are taking HISP10001 in list A, also take HISP10010 | |||||
Critical Concepts in the Study of the Hispanic World | HISP10010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Literature 1550-1740 | ENGL10043 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Mandatory Unit Spanish Language is must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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You must take at least 40 CP in Spanish units and at least 40 CP in English units | |||||
List A - Take the mandatory language unit plus either ENGL20063 or ENGL20064 from list D | |||||
Literature 1740-1900 | ENGL20063 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Spanish Language | HISP20101 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 | |
List B - Choose one 20cp unit from list B, list E or list E2 | |||||
African American Literature | ENGL20111 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
American Literature: 1945 to Present | ENGL29007 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Creative Writing, Prose Fiction: Representing the World | ENGL20113 | 20 | Optional | B | TB-1 |
Eighteenth-Century Women's Writing | ENGL20031 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Poetry of the 1960s | ENGL20032 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Revenge Tragedy | ENGL29008 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
The Fairy Tale in English | ENGL20028 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 | |
Literature and Trauma: 1900 to the present | ENGL20129 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Utopian Literature | ENGL20058 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Latin America in the Twentieth Century: A People's History | HISP20119 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Women's Writing in Post-War Spain | HISP21309 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
World Cinemas: from national to transnational | MODL23016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
General Linguistics | MODL20016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Woman and Nation | MODL23017 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List C - Choose 20 CP from this list | |||||
Republic, War and Dictatorship in Spain, 1931 - 1975 | HISP20076 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Barcelona: Culture and Representations | HISP20117 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Queer Writing and Film in the Hispanic World | HISP20118 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Catalan Language (Elementary) | MODL23014 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Czech Language (Elementary) | MODL23015 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Introduction to teaching Modern Languages as Foreign Languages | MODL20021 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Beginners Portuguese | MODL20022 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 | |
Migrations of Culture | MODL20024 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Writing the City: London 1550-1740 | ENGL20069 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
Shakespeare | ENGL20068 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List D - Choose either ENGL20064 in this list or ENGL20063 in list A, and one further 20cp unit. | |||||
Languages of the Iberian Peninsula | HISP20088 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Latin American Cinema | HISP20114 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Literature 1900-present | ENGL20064 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Historical Linguistics | MODL20017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Popular Representation and Institutions of Culture | MODL20026 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List E - Choose one 20cp unit from list E, list E2 or list B | |||||
Arthurian Literature | ENGL20060 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Chaucer and Chaucerians | ENGL20061 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Old English Language and Literature | ENGL20065 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Contemporary Latin(x) American Poetry | HISP20115 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Introduction to Spanish Peninsular literature since 1850 | HISP20121 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
World Cinemas: from national to transnational | MODL23016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 | |
List E2 - Choose one 20cp unit from list E2, list B or list E | |||||
American Avant Garde | ENGL20114 | 20 | Optional | B | TB-2 |
Black British Literature | ENGL20041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Border-Worlds | ENGL20135 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Contemporary Multi-Ethnic Writing of America | ENGL20019 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Creative Writing: Poetry | ENGL20051 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Dangerous Books | ENGL20023 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Drinking in the words: The pleasures and pains of alcohol in British fiction and culture | ENGL20127 | 20 | Optional | E | TB-2 |
Gender, Desire and the Renaissance Stage | ENGL20206 | 20 | Optional | E | TB-2 |
Literature and the Sea: The Seafarer to The Shipping News | ENGL20020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Large, Loose, Baggy Monsters: Victorian Fiction and Novel Form | ENGL20128 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Author as Character | ENGL20048 | 20 | Optional | E | TB-2 |
Writing the Margins: Early Modern Race, Gender, and Nation | ENGL20131 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
Writing the Working Classes | ENGL20030 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
The Art of Grief | ENGL20116 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 | |
List F | |||||
Take 20 CP From Bristol Futures, UWLP or Faculty Wide Units – OR choose an additional 20 CP as follows: any 20 CP from lists B or C; any Spanish/Hispanic Modern Languages unit from list D; any 20 CP from list E | OPEN | 20 | Optional | ||
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Mandatory Year Abroad is must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | ||
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Year Abroad TB-1 | MODL20014 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR | |
Year Abroad TB-2 | MODL20015 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR | |
120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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