Course Title: Spanish Language and Society

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Spanish Language and Society

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1278

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018

LANG1294

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018

Course Coordinator: Dr Glenda Mejia

Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925 3732

Course Coordinator Email: glenda.mejia@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.5.15

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Spanish 5 and/or Spanish 6, or equivalent with coordinator approval.

It is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite before enrolling in a course. For your information the RMIT Course Requisites policy can be found at: www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=twx09y07zi1c


Course Description

This course is one of two cultural courses taught entirely in Spanish from a total of eight Spanish courses offered at RMIT University.

The course will build on your existing knowledge of the Spanish language, social and culture aspects through the study of selected Spanish Media by examining a range of topical issues highlighted in the type of media being studied. Through the analysis of a range of authentic materials (e.g. film, short films, documentary), you will be able to analyse the social and cultural contexts of from Spain, and Latin America. You will have the opportunity to broaden your interests and knowledge of contemporary Spanish and Latin American cultures and society.

You will be encouraged to be responsible for your own learning and to build on your knowledge to a level where you can continue with further self-directed learning. The course will equip you with further knowledge for cross-cultural situations within the framework of language and associated non-verbal communication.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Analyse and discuss the use of the Spanish language in a range of authentic media materials, including films, radio programs and documentaries
  • Communicate confidently and fluently in both oral and written Spanish on a wide range of topics from contemporary media
  • Apply a wide range of language learning strategies you have acquired, and demonstrate independent learning
  • Apply your knowledge of the cultural and social context of Spain and/or Latin American countries to your analysis of authentic media materials from a range of sources in Spanish
  • If undertaking this course as a postgraduate student you will be required to demonstrate higher capacity for application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the relationships between culture and language, and cross-cultural communication.


Program Learning Outcomes

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Communicate effectively in Spanish in a range of forms and in different international and cross-cultural contexts, using appropriate modes of communication including electronic, written, graphic, oral and aural forms
  • Reflect on the role of culture in communication, and apply this knowledge in a range of cross-cultural interactions
  • Access and critically examine a range of resources (including text and electronic) to further your learning in Spanish
  • Effectively manage your own learning, developing skills in lifelong learning of languages and cross-cultural communication


Overview of Learning Activities

A variety of structured in class exercises provide opportunities to develop your skills, with emphasis placed on communicative skill building, guided and natural conversations, and hypothetical situations.

Multimedia teaching and learning resources, and readings relating to sociolinguistics and cross-cultural communication issues will be introduced and discussed. Various role-plays, exercises and games are employed to expose potential difficulties which may arise in cross-cultural communication.

You will be expected to participate actively in many pair and group activities and to use only Spanish. Therefore, regular class attendance is important to support your learning.


Overview of Learning Resources

You may need to purchase a prescribed text and a recommended language dictionary. Multimedia teaching and learning resources and tools will also be used, and made available through MyRMIT Studies.


Overview of Assessment

You will be required to submit a range of assessments throughout the semester to demonstrate how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and capabilities. Assessment tasks may involve working independently and/or as part of a pair or team on a range of written, oral and interactive tasks (for example, in-class tests, essays, class presentations, group projects, debates, learning diaries, final exams etc).

You will also receive verbal and/or written feedback from your lecturers and/or peers on your assessment tasks.

Weighting on the assessment tasks for postgraduate students will vary with an additional or expanded or expanded assessment task.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: Assessment and assessment flexibility policy

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers: Student Responsibilities Statement

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact your Program Director or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.