Disciplines and areas of study
Spanish (with Portuguese and Catalan)
Program Coordinator: Dr Ana Maria Ducasse
In all-important senses??in terms of demography, the extent of its administrative use, and its cultural impact??Spanish is one of the world's major languages.
It is one of the two main languages of the Latin American countries, the principal one of Spain, and the most widely spoken language after English in the Subjected States. It is used by more than 400 million people. It is the medium of such major works of literature as Don Quixote and One Hundred Years of Solitude, and such well-known film directors as Pedro Almodóvar and Luis Buñuel.
The Spanish Program provides a comprehensive range of subjects within the general area of Hispanic and Iberian studies: that is, Spanish language, literature and culture at a number of different levels, Portuguese language in both its forms (those of Portugal and Brazil, spoken by more than 150 million people) and Catalan (some seven million speakers). Latin American literature and culture occupy an equally important place in the program’s offerings.
Subjects fall into two streams: beginners language and culture and advanced language and culture.
Spanish language subjects cater separately for all levels of Spanish: from the complete beginner, to the student from a native-speaking background, to students with an advanced knowledge of Spanish. Catalan is available at the beginner’s level while Portuguese is offered for both beginners and for students with an advanced knowledge of the language.
Unless otherwise indicated, the taught language is the principal medium of communication.
All core language subjects contain elements of general culture and civilisation analysed through the study of written, audio and visual material. A great deal of emphasis is placed on competence in the language (or languages) studied, but linguistic competence is not the sole aim of study.
Students are encouraged to develop an interest in a specific area of Hispanic studies (such as in the fields of literature and/or culture) that fall within the program’s ambit, or in related disciplines taught in other programs and disciplines (for example, Latin American studies, European studies and linguistics).
Students may apply to do in-country study programs in Spanish (and in Catalan and Portuguese) through the university’s exchange programs. These are available both in Spain and in various Latin American countries. Competitive La Trobe language study scholarships may be applied for to support such study. Students contemplating honours studies are particularly encouraged to pursue these opportunities.
Programs of study
Spanish Major
To complete a major in Spanish students must complete:
- the Spanish core subjects for their language stream at each year level of their degree.
- 30 credit points at first year level,
- At least 40 credit points at second-year level and
- at least 60 credit points at third year level.
Students undertaking a major in Spanish are encouraged to include at least one semester of one of Catalan or Portuguese.
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Beginners 1A | SPA1BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Beginners 1B | SPA1BEB |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Beginners 2A | SPA2BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Beginners 2B | SPA2BEB |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Beginners 3A | SPA3BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Beginners 3B | SPA3BEB |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| First year core subjects (15 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Advanced 1A | SPA1ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Advanced 1B | SPA1ADB |
| Second year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Advanced 2A | SPA2ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Advanced 2B | SPA2ADB |
| Third year core subject (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Spanish Advanced 3A | SPA3ADA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Spanish Advanced 3B | SPA3ADB |
| Teaching period | Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|---|
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Catalan Beginners 2A/3A2 | CAT2BEA/CAT3BEA |
| TE-SEM-1 | European Languages in Context: issues in language | SPA2ELC/SPA3ELC |
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese Advanced 2A/3A2 | PTG2ADA/PTG3ADA |
| TE-SEM-1 | Portuguese Beginners 2A/3A2 | PTG2BEA/PTG3BEA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Catalan Beginners 2B/3B2 | CAT2BEB/CAT3BEB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese Advanced 2B/3B2 | PTG2ADB/PTG3ADB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Portuguese Beginners 2B/3B2 | PTG2BEB/PTG3BEB |
| TE-SEM-2 | Trans European Translation | EST2TET/EST3TET |
| Third year subjects (20 credit points) | ||
| TE-SEM-1 | Reading Course A | SPA3RCA |
| TE-SEM-2 | Reading Course B | SPA3RCB |
Key 2 Subject to enrolments, staff and funding availability.
| Subject title | Subject code |
|---|---|
| Second or third year subjects (20 credit points) | |
| Postcolonial Identities | SPA2PCI/SPA3PCI |
| Cuba: The Special Period | SPA2CSP/SPA3CSP |
Honours
The Spanish fourth year honours program consists of a research essay of 15,000 words on an approved topic and two subjects at fourth year level. Depending on staff availability and expertise, students may undertake an honours program in aspects of Hispanic, Portuguese, Catalan or Galician literature, language and/or culture.
Students wishing to enter fourth year honours in the Spanish Program will normally have completed a major in Spanish or equivalent and have at least a B-grade average in their Spanish subjects. Students are encouraged to include additional Spanish subjects, subjects that will broaden their knowledge of Spain and/or Latin America, and to consider in-country study during their undergraduate course.
Students considering honours should consult the Honours Convenor before re-enrolling for their third year, in order to plan a suitable course structure on which to base an honours year. Towards the end of the third year, intending honours students should consult the Honours Convenor concerning the composition of their honours year, the thesis topic and the supervisor.