Culture, History and Literature: Latin-America in the Global World (online)
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- SPLA639
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Spanish
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
In this course, students will study what role Latin America has had as a global player both historically and in the present. Since 1492, the continent has played an important role in an international context and in many areas, and examples of topics that can be taken up and looked at in such a perspective are:
- cultural themes, such as literature and gastronomy
- political themes, such as international relations
- economic themes, such as the Latin American export economies
- social themes, such as migration and pandemics
The theme will be illuminated from a literary or a historical point of view, or from a combination of these. The in-depth topic and approach will change from semester to semester and will be linked to the ongoing research at the department and the teaching staff available. The department provides information on which topics are offered at the start of the semester.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
The student
- has insight into some central themes and issues within Latin American history, literature and culture linked to Latin America as a global player.
- has an understanding of how different perspectives shape the representations of Latin America as a global actor in a concrete context.
Skills
The student
- can understand and interpret different types of texts in Spanish
- can express themselves in writing and orally in Spanish, both on historical, literary and cultural subjects and more generally.
General competencies
The student
- can analyze subject matter and draw their own conclusions.
- can further develop knowledge, skills and understanding through further study and working life.
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching normally runs for 8-10 weeks. Teaching can also be organized in blocks. Normally there will be two sessions a week. Student-active forms of learning are emphasized, and throughout the semester there will be a great focus on self-activity. It is expected that the students prepare thoroughly for the lessons and carry out follow-up work and problem solving assignments.
If it is registered fewer than five students for the course, the teaching that is offered will be adapted to fit the number of students. In that case, information will be given at the beginning of the semester.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Each student must complete two oral assignments during the semester. Information about both assignments, their form, content and deadlines, will be given at the beginning of the semester. Both assignments are evaluated as a pass/fail.
Each student must also complete a mandatory supervision in connection with writing the term paper. The draft and term paper must be the result of the student's independent work.
In accordance with the University of Bergen's Regulations for Degrees and Studies, the students have the right to a second try for each assignment, if one or more of the first hand-ins were not passed. The assignment must be approved before the student can be assessed in the course.
The compulsory assignment is valid for one semester after the teaching semester.
Forms of Assessment
The course is assessed with a supervised term paper of 2000-2500 words, written in Spanish. The students can choose the topic for the paper from a list provided by the staff member responsible for the course. The paper is graded on both contents and language.
When retaking the exam in the semester without instruction, students must submit the revised term paper without further supervision.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Reading List
The syllabus corresponds to approximately 450 pages and can be made up of subject texts and fiction texts as well as texts in the wider sense, e.g. audiovisual sources. The curriculum literature is mainly in Spanish.
The reading list will be ready by July 1 for the autumn semester.