Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

Can be taken with either Level B Spanish or Portuguese

Stage 1 - SPA1071
Stage 2 - SPA1070

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the School of Modern Languages, this
module aims to introduce students to the systematic study of the Iberian Peninsula in comparative terms through a historical focus and to a selected range of cultural topics in Portugal and Spain.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture materials will introduce students to the knowledge and skills required for the comparative analysis and study of the Iberian Peninsula. This module has two parts. First part introduces students to the history, culture and society of Spain and Portugal from the late Middle Ages to the Twenty-first century. Both countries can be studied comparatively because they passed through similar periods of transformation: state formation and consolidation, expansion, absolutist rule, Enlightenment, the age of liberal revolutions and colonial crisis, authoritarianism and democratisation. In the second part, the module aims to teach students about cultural identities in contemporary Spain, colonialism in Spain and Portugal, creative industries (museums), nationalism and linguistic and cultural diversity in Spain and Portugal.

Both parts and topics can be altered and given in a different order in the event of research leave. For 25-26 we are introducing first the cultural topics in S1 and the comparative history will come in S2.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module it is expected students will be able to identify and contrast main terms, periods and processes throughout Spain and Portugal’s history.

At the end of the module a student will be able to discuss and explain issues related to Spanish nationalities (Catalan, Basque and Valencian), the role of museums in contemporary Spain, Portuguese literature in relation to colonialism, exile and memory in the Spanish context as well as theories of nationalism.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The course is taught in English but students are expected to engage with a variety of materials in Portuguese and Spanish, hence it also develops linguistic skills. A variety of interactive teaching techniques are also used including (seminar groups, film sessions, debates, and close textual analysis, all of which provide useful preparation for Stage 2. Through a variety of study skills tasks, this module prepares you for more specialist study in Hispanic cultural and/or historical studies at Stage 2 and 4. This course will also help develop increasing autonomy in independent study.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Present-in-person lectures will introduce learning methods and strategies to introduce students to the comparative study of the Iberian Peninsula. They will also allow for the introduction of specific topics, such as memory, museums, colonialism and theories of nationalism. Small group teaching, present-in-person will allow students to examine texts in more detail, allowing for detailed discussion and analysis as well as revisiting and reinforcing knowledge from the lecture materials and online guided activities. Seminars will provide the students with the opportunity to lead discussion on a topic through interactive activities that develop their independent thinking and critical analysis. Both types of learning activities will include advice on how to prepare for assessment. Surgery hours allow students to consult the module leader with any particular difficulties in understanding concepts, tasks, etc. Independent learning includes preparation for small group work, further reading and assessment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Assessment tests two distinct ways to evaluate critical analysis and history knowledge with the 50% exam and essay writing and close text analysis in the final essay 50%.

General Notes

N/A