Latin American History and Culture

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

SPLA109 gives an overview of important events and developments in Latin American history, looking back through the centuries from present day. Through a historical approach, the students gain thematic insight into contemporary issues in Latin America in the 21st century. The topics chosen are relevant for present day politics, economy and society in the region, but are closely related to centuries of historical development.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student must have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

The student

  • has knowledge of some key topics within Latin American politics, economy and society from pre-colonial times to the present day.
  • has an understanding of the historical factors that form the background for current issues in today's Latin American societies and cultures.
  • has an understanding of how different perspectives shape the representations of Latin American history and societies.

Skills

The student

  • can account for central features and contexts in Latin American history.
  • can understand and interpret different types of texts in Spanish.
  • can express himself in writing and orally in Spanish, both on historical and cultural subjects and more generally.

General Competence:

The candidate

  • can analyze academic content and draw their own conclusions.
  • can further develop knowledge, skills and understanding through further study and working life.

Full-time/Part-time

Not relevant

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen
Required Previous Knowledge
There are no formal requirements, but all teaching will be held in Spanish and requires a good command of the Spanish language.
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Since all teaching is conducted in Spanish, we recommend a language level of at least A2 (cf. the CEFR scale) or equivalent Spanish level II from secondary school.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
SPLA103 (10 credits), SLAN612 (10 credits) and SPLA629 (10 credits)
Access to the Course
The course is open to all with admission to the University of Bergen.
Teaching and learning methods

The teaching normally runs over a period of 8-10 weeks. It may also be relevant to schedule the teaching into blocks.

The course will follow the principles of student-active forms of learning, and throughout the semester there will be a great emphasis on self-activity. It is expected that the students prepare thoroughly for the lessons and carry out follow-up work, and complete compulsory assighments. Students may also be asked to prepare and present shorter presentations in class.

If fewer than five students register for a course, the teaching offer can be adapted to the number of students.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Throughout the semester, the students will carry out the following assignments:

  • A podcast, which can be made individually or in collaboration between two students.
  • Two written assignments of 750-1000 words, written in Spanish.

The assignments must be written in Spanish and the student's own independent work. Each assignment will be assessed as approved/not approved. All assignments must be approved before a final assessment can be made in the subject.

The approval of compulsory work requirements is valid in the teaching semester and the following semester.

Forms of Assessment
The form of assessment is an extended version, of approximately 1500 words, of one of the two mandatory written assignments. The assignment must be the student's independent work and written in Spanish.
Grading Scale
The grading scale A-F is used, where F is a failing grade.
Assessment Semester
Spring. There will also be given an assessment early in the fall semester for those students who have completed the mandatory assignments.
Reading List

The course reading list corresponds to approximately 375 pages and can be made up of subject area texts and literary texts as well as texts in the broader sense, e.g. audiovisual sources. The curriculum literature is mainly in Spanish.

The literature list for the spring semester will be published by December 1.

Course Evaluation
The teaching will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.
Examination Support Material
The students have all support materials available when working on their exam paper at home, but the submitted paper must be the student's own independent work. Please read more about UiB's guidelines regarding cheating and plagiarism, including artificial intelligence.
Programme Committee
The program committee is responsible for the academic content and the structure of the program, as well as for the quality of the study program and related courses.
Course Administrator
The Department of Foreign Languages at the Humanities Faculty is responsible for the administration of this course and study program.