SPA2026 : Language Diversity in the Hispanic World
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ian MacKenzie
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Josep Cru
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
- To develop systematic knowledge of the Hispanic world as a linguistically and culturally diverse region.
- To develop critical insights into the role that language diversity plays in the cultural, social, and political life of the Hispanic world.
- To introduce appropriate theoretical approaches to the study of language in society, including multilingual and diglossic contexts.
- To introduce appropriate theoretical approaches to the study of language as a cultural, social, and political phenomenon.
- To further understanding of the roles of nation, identity, and politics in shaping societies within the Hispanic world, from the perspective of linguistic diversity.
- To further develop skills of argumentation and presentation, in both speaking and writing.
- To become familiarised with a broad range of bibliographic and online sources relevant to the study of language diversity in the Hispanic world.
Outline Of Syllabus
This course explores the linguistic diversity of the Hispanic world, with Semester 1 focusing on Latin America and Semester 2 on the Iberian Peninsula. No prior knowledge of linguistics is required, as key concepts are introduced to support the material. While taught and assessed in English, students engage with Spanish and regional languages like Catalan and Galician through readings and materials.
In Semester 1, the course examines linguistic variation across Latin America, highlighting the influence of Afro-Hispanic and Amerindian languages on regional Spanish varieties. Topics include the Caribbean's linguistic heritage, colonial centres like Mexico City and Lima and the impact of languages like Quechua and Aymara, which have introduced notable syntactic and phonetic features to Spanish.
Semester 2 shifts focus to Spain, exploring how language shapes regional and national identities. Sociolinguistic and anthropological approaches are used to analyse language policy, bilingual education, and the relationships between dominant and minority languages. Key themes include bilingualism, language rights, nationalism, cultural identity and multilingualism, offering insights into the complex interplay between language, society and politics in the Hispanic world.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 34 | 1:00 | 34:00 | Present-in-person |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 166 | 1:00 | 166:00 | Independent study and assessment preparation and completion |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will combine instructor-focused explanation with seminar-like interaction, offering a dynamic approach to imparting key information, developing critical analytical skills and applying knowledge through guided practice. Sessions will feature practical and dialogical interactions, supported by short, focused and structured materials designed to sustain attention and enhance accessibility.
In addition to the lectures, students will undertake 166 hours of guided independent study to deepen their understanding and further refine their analytical abilities.
This approach ensures an effective pathway to achieving the learning outcomes while fostering a participative and engaging learning experience, striking a balance between essential content delivery and active student involvement.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | M | 50 | In-class assessment conducted at the end of Semester 1. |
| Written Examination | 90 | 2 | M | 50 | In-class assessment conducted at the end of Semester 2. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The two in-class assessments offer students valuable opportunities to critically engage with course material and demonstrate their understanding of linguistic, sociolinguistic and social science concepts. These assessments include a mix of open-ended descriptive questions and multiple-choice questions, designed to evaluate students' knowledge and their ability to apply it thoughtfully and accurately.
Structured to enhance logical thinking and the application of knowledge, the assessments help students develop skills essential for both academic and professional contexts. The format aligns seamlessly with the course’s participative and interactive teaching approach, which is further supported by formative discussions during present-in-person classes to reinforce learning and foster critical engagement.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SPA2026's Timetable