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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: SPA1031 Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY LATIN AMERICA
Module Provider: Language & Translation Studies Short Name: LIH115
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: PHILLIPS TP Dr (Lang & Trans)
Number of credits: 10 Number of ECTS credits: 5
 
Module Availability

All year
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark( %)
Written assignment of 800 words, end of Semester 1
20%
Portfolio of coursework
20%
Two hour unseen examination, end of Semester 2

Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregate of 40% is required to pass the module
Module Overview
This is a Level 1 module for Spanish, both post-A level and ab initio. It is taught partly in the target language, over Autumn and Spring semesters, one contact hour per teaching week. Attendance is compulsory.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of key contemporary cultural, economical and sociopolitical events in the Latin America. It also aims to develop the students’ language skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students:
·         will be able to follow and take notes from lectures delivered in Spanish;
  • will have gained an understanding of key social, political, economic and cultural issues in contemporary Latin America;
  • will have acquired the necessary skills to read and understand authentic source material on a variety of topics related to contemporary Latin American countries and societies;
  • will be able to recognise and analyse some important issues in modern Latin American cultures and societies;
  • will have acquired basic and specialised vocabulary related to social, cultural, political, and economic issues;
  • will be able to follow, comment on and discuss a range of contemporary issues;
  • will be able to write critically in Spanish on cultural and social issues in Latin America;
  • will have developed transferable IT skills, by contributing to text-based online discussion in Spanish on the given topics, articulating and justifying different points of view.
  • will have developed the ability to communicate successfully in writing on a range of topics;
  • will have developed teamworking skills, through discussions online and in class.
Module Content
This module examines six key themes relating to Latin America:
 
  • Economy (the commodity trade / NAFTA, Mercosur and globalization)
  • Politics (military rule and democracy)
  • Indigenous peoples (highland and lowland Indians; rebellion and resistance)
  • Movements for social change (guerrillas; social movements)
  • The roles of women (family structures; women and work; women and politics)
  • Culture (popular cultures, mass media, syncretism)
Methods of Teaching/Learning
One contact hour per teaching week in Autumn and Spring semesters, and one hour online every fortnight. Classes will be a mixture of lectures and seminars. Students will also be required to participate regularly in online discussions on the topics covered, and will also be asked to prepare mini-presentations and items for class discussion on a regular basis
Selected Texts/Journals
Essential reading
Green, Duncan Faces of Latin America Monthly Review Press; 3 edition (September 1, 2006) 978-1583671511
 
Recommended reading
Peader Kirby, Introduction to Latin America: Twenty-first century challenges. (Sage Publications, 2003)
Munck, Ronaldo, Contemporary Latin America (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003)
Skidmore, Thomas and P. Smith, Modern Latin America (Oxford University Press, 6th ed 2004)
Background Redding
 
Chang-Rodríguez, Eugenio, Latinoamérica: su civilización y su cultura (Boston, Mass: Heinle & Heinle, 1999)
Chomsky, A., B. Carr & P.M. Smorkaloff, (eds) The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics (London: Latin American Bureau, 2003)
Collier, S., T. Skidmore and H. Blakemore, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Latin America and the Caribbean, (Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 1992)
Galeano, E., Las Venas Abiertas de América Latina (Siglo XXI de España Editores, S.A 2003)
 
Hart. S and R. Young, Contemporary Latin American Cultural Studies. Hodder Education (2003)
Hita, G., Recorrido Cultural por América Latina (Edelsa, 2004)
Joseph, G. and T. J. Henderson (eds) The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics   (London: Latin American Bureau, 2003)
Nouzeilles, G. and G.Montaldo (eds) The Argentina Reader: History, Culture, Politics (London: Latin American Bureau, 2003)
Quesada, S., Imágenes de América Latina (Edelsa, 2001)
Extensive use will also be made of web-based resources.
Last Updated
JULY 2009